Reading Journal Entry #3 - Democracy

The first speech that I’m going to comment on today is a speech by Daniel Webster at the dedication of the Bunker Hill Monument. Although this speech isn’t one of my favorites, Webster made some valid points. He said:

• “…the fundamental and manifest truth, that the powers of government are but a trust, and that they cannot be lawfully exercised but for the good of the community…”
  

The government is here for our benefit and it only exists on our consent. This is the principle of popular sovereignty – a principle to which our Constitution was strictly adheres.

• “…we know that our own fortunes have been happily cast; and it is natural, therefore, that we should be moved by the contemplation of occurrences which have guided our destiny before many of us were born, and settled the condition in which we should pass the portion of our existence which God allows to men on earth.”
  

We need to appreciate what our soldiers and found fathers did for us. So, so many people, the world over, wish they were Americans. So many people wish to have the prosperity that America has. They wish to have the freedom and rights of its people, and they wish for a justice system uncorrupted, as America has. As Americans, never – ever – take for granted the privilege. Stop complaining about your government – it could be so much worse! And if you find the need to complain, as someone (I forget who) once said, do not just complain, but do something to change the wrong that you see.

• “The interest of the world is peace, and it’s first great statute that every nation possesses the power of establishing a government for itself.”
  

I only wish this were truer than it seems to be. Sadly – yet understandably so – the interest of the world is only interested in peace when they have everything their own way. And since everyone in the world can never be completely satisfied, I guess we will never experience world peace…

• “We [American politicians] are not propagandists [of American government]. Wherever other systems are preferred either as being thought better in themselves or as better suited to existing conditions, we leave the preference to be enjoyed.”
  

This principle is important – I hope that American politicians adhere to it, though. America’s purpose is not to get all the world’s governments to conform to its ways, but rather to be a beacon – an example – to the rest of the world of what democracy can bring. And then let them wish for it themselves.

Webster further proves his point of America being a beacon, he said:

• “If in our [America’s] case the representative system ultimately fail[s], popular government must be pronounced impossible. No combination of circumstance more favorable [to the establishment of a representative democracy] can ever be expected to occur…popular governments…may in their general character be as durable and permanent as other systems.”
  

In it’s early days – and, I guess, even today – America is a model. It shows that representative government really does work. And the fact that it has worked in America offers hope to other countries.

• “The principle of free government adheres to the American soil….The great trust now descends to new hands…There remains to us a great duty of defense and preservation.
  

Democracy is our destiny. It was founded many, many years ago by our founding fathers, and it is now our responsibility – the responsibility of the next generation – to ensure that it forever remains the government of the people.

Reading Journal Entry #2 - Active Lives Lived to One Hundred Years

My assigned speech to read for today was by titled "Brain-Science Philanthropist David J. Mahoney Envisions Active Lives Lived to One Hundred Years." It was spoken on May 16,1996 at Rutgers University's graduation ceremony. Out of all 10 speeches I have read so far for this course, this was my least favorite. Probably mostly because I disagreed with his main point: that for our generation living to be 100 years old will be normal.

Nevertheless, here are some quotes I found interesting, er, disturbing:

• "That comes to us from 'the highest authority' - not God, but from the CEO of the world's only superpower..."

Mahoney was talking here about President Clinton. But what really disturbs me is his coining of the United States as "the world's only superpower." That's a pretty dangerous - and greatly controversial - statement to make. Fine, have national pride. Love America. But don't call it something that it's not - at least without proof to back yourself up.

• "Most of you, now in your early twenties, might well have the chance to be centenarians."

I understand where Mahoney is coming from a little bit, but what about accidents , murders, homicides, suicides, plan crashes, car accidents, war, etc...? Great medical advances can not prevent those things from happening. All the medical discoveries and advances in the world may be made, but man is still evil. Plus, I am sure that, once we find cures for the diseases plaguing humans nows, new diseases and new strains of ones we though we cured, will show up. Just like AIDS did.

• "Taken together, the medical advances in your lifetime are near certain to add a generation to your life. You will play in a whole new fourth quarter."

Please understand that Mahoney is speaking from an educated position in the field of medical research, while I am not...but, isn't that a bit of a dangerous statement to be made. He is 'near certain...' Well, I guess time will tell. However, to date, I have not seen the ten medical advances he predicted to be accomplished by 2000.

• That means planning your vocation along with your avocation, and keep them as separate as possible."

Having a wide range of interests never hurt anyone, and according to Mahoney, it may help you.

• "The point is not to be singleminded about career. Be double-minded or triple-minded; keep a pot or two on your back burners."

Contrary to previous statements by Mahoney, I agree with this one. Whether or no I will live to be a hundred, I think that it is good to have an alternative career option. What if you go to college for a career so specialized that you are then only qualified to have a single profession? And then...you find that you do not like working in that profession/business. It's like a piece of advice my mom gave me, "Go to college for something broad, that way you have a wide range of careers and employment opportunities waiting for you when you get out." (If you must know, I am planning on being a journalism major, a major which prepares you for many different professions.)

• "You... should not rely on society's safety net and think more about your own personal nest egg."

Wise advice: don't expect the government to do everything for you.

• “Ask yourself along the way: Whose approval is important to you? Whose is not? The centenarians do not stop to smell the flowers; they carry the flowers along.”

He has an interesting point there. Don’t be bogged down by the advice and opinions of people who are not important. Disregard negativity. But embrace constructive criticism, and carry it along with you. Ignore people and opinions only meant to discourage you. Heed good advice and never forget it.

• "Success, or a resounding setback, in one career can lead to success, of another kind, in the parallel career."

This builds again on his principle of having an avocation which would enable you to switch professions in the future.

Well, that's it for that speech. Since I have a few speech writing assignments coming up, I should be posting a speech of my own in a week or so.

On a more personal note, my day has been good so far. My mom and I are planning on going to see a church member this afternoon who will hopefully be able to put me in contact with a child that needs my help. So, pray for that.

College applications and more school work await, so I'm off!

Esi

Reading Journal Entry #1 - Embrace Tolerance, Reject Racism

I am taking a fabulous speech/speech writing class this year at school. Wow! I am really enjoying it! :-) Our text is selected speeches from the book Lend Me Your Ears

I am required to keep a reading journal for this course, so I figured, why not keep my reading journal on my blog. Not only does this protect my journal from being destroyed by fire (hehe!) but it saves me time. No I can type out long quotes instead of having to hand-write them. PLUS, if I am going to put my though and time into forming opinions and ideas, why not let other people benefit from my musings through my blog.

So, here you have it. This is Reading Journal Entry #1:

Today, I was assigned a commencement speech given by Colin Powell at Howard University in 1994. It was a little bit freaky how pertinent this speech is to our world - especially the United States - this week. In his speech Mr. Powell said:

• "And freedom of speech means permitting the widest range of views to be present for debate, however controversial those views may be....Some say that by hosting controversial speakers who shock our sensibilities, Howard is in some way promoting or endorsing their message. Not at all. Howard has helped put their message in perspective while protecting their right to be heard. So that the message can be exposed to the full light of day."

This reminds me of what is happening this week at Columbia University. After being given a very controversial invitation, the president of Iran spoke there on Monday. He had every right to speak at the university, but I question the motives of Columbia's faculty in inviting him to od so. Was their motive to bring his falsities "to the full light of day," or was it to promote a private ant-American agenda? One of those motives is very profitable and almost acceptable, the other, however, is downright wrong.

• "But for this freedom to hear all views, you bear a burden to sort out wisdom from foolishness."

That is ALL too TRUE! While I have my doubts about the president of Iran having any wisdom to offer the American people, I am sure that there was much foolishness in his controversial speech.

Moving on. Colin later said, "There is utter foolishness, evil, and danger in the message of hatred, or of condoning violence, however cleverly the message is packaged or entertainingly it is presented." Too many politicians and world leaders today have the ability to disguise foolishness and evil as something profitable to the people they are ruling. Osama bin Laden is one of types of people. The former president of Ghana, Jerry John Rawlings, is another example of that type of person.

• "Twenty seven years of imprisonment did not embitter Nelson Mandela. He invited his three jail keepers to the ceremony."

What a great example to learn from! Abandon hate, embrace tolerance, and break the cycle of racism

• "As the world goes forward, we cannot start going backward. "
  

Here, Colin was speaking to the African-American community. How I wish they would heed to this advice today and break out of the drug and welfare culture. (That is not, however, to say that all blacks are into drugs and on welfare. That is actually very far from the truth. I am however more specifically speaking to the community - black, white, Hispanic, etc... - that I have observed in inner-city Balitmore.)

• "We, as a people who have suffered so much from the hatred of others must not now show tolerance for any movement or philosophy that has at its core the hatred of Jews or anyone else. Our future lies in the philosophy of love and understanding and caring and building. Not of hatred and tearing down."

Again, Powell challenges his audience to reject racism - break the cycle! - and they can make a difference.

• "You face 'Great Expectations.' Much has been given to you and much is expected from you."

So true for all of us who have been given a good education. American, I can tell you, even our crummiest public schools are a good education compared to what can be seen in other parts of the world.

• "What will be asked of you is hard work. Nothing will be handed to you...You are entering a life of continuous study and struggle to achieve your goals. A life of searching to find that which you do well and love doing. Never stop seeking."

That is some fabulous food for though, and a great motivator.

• "I want you to be proud of your heritage. Study your origins. Teach your children racial pride and draw strength and inspiration from the cultures of our forebears. Not as a way of drawing back from American society and its European roots. But as a way of showing that there are other roots as well. African and Caribbean roots that are also a source of nourishment for the American family tree. To show that African Americans are more than a product of our slave experience."

Wow! Yes, African-Americans are SO much more than a product of America's slave experience. They are just as American as anyone else, and they contribute so much to our culture and diversity as a nation. Thank you.

• "I want you to fight racism...racism is a disease of the racist. Never let it become yours."

I love that. We have so many opportunities in our lives to racist - so many times where it would be so easy to reject somebody because of their color - but NO. Reject it. Flee from it. Don't catch the plague.

We are all same, there's nothing different about me than there is about someone with black skin, believe me. I know what I'm talking about. I was the only white student a school of 750.

• "Use your education and your success in life to help those still trapped in cycles of poverty and violence. Above all, never lose faith in America. Its faults are yours to fix, not to curse."

Don't just stand there and complain about America's problems. We are Americans. It is our duty to fix them!!

• "From the diversity of our [America's] people, let us draw strength and not cause weakness."

YES! Our diversity is our strength, not our weakness. We are blessed as a nation to have such a diversity of people and cultures and opinions. Employ them (the people, their opinions, and their culture) - don't ostracize them. Again, take it from somebody who knows, there is SO much that Americans can learn from the culture's of others. American culture has many faults, as do other cultures; but when we blend those cultures together, we will have a more balanced, better culture.

I don't know about the rest of you, but that stirred me up a bit -- got me thinking. Hope you learned something.

Thanks for your time,

Esi

Prayer Request

Hello Everyone,

As some of you know, God gave me a vision this year to begin tutoring a local student whom is struggling to learn how to read. This week, my mission is to find that child. I will be not charging anything for my services, but my vision, rather, is to help a very poor child who would otherwise have no chance to learn how to read – a key skill to have if someone ever hopes to break out of the cycle of poverty.

If you could – if you have a few spare minutes – please pray that God will lead me to the child He has in mind for me to teach and to minister to, and also, the child whom could most benefit from my help.

Thank you all beyond words,

Esi

Silence

I had a mix CD on shuffle this morning, and this song came on. The lyrics blessed me a lot and having
gone through a time in my life where God was silent, I can really identify with them. It’s like
P.Sterge said in a message once, “When God is silent,let Calvary speak to you.” In other words,
when God doesn’t seem to be speaking,know that He is still your God and that He gave all He is to
save you.

Hope this blesses you as much as it did me. Have a great day,
Esi 

Silence by Joy Williams

Are you listening
To anything that I say?
'Cause I been praying,
How many prayers can I pray?
I'm still waiting,
Maybe You'll show up today.
I know You're here, but I can't feel You,
And if You're speaking, I can't hear You.
How much longer will this last?

So okay, answer me with silence.
It's okay if You don't say a word.
You're testing me to trust You'll be faithful in this quiet
So okay,
Answer me
With silence.

Why do I question
Your intentions for me
When Your affection
Is a proven legacy?
Oh Father, Father
Turn my fears into peace.
I know Your love will never leave,
I know You want what's best for me
You're testing me to trust You'll be faithful in this quiet

Oh, it's okay
If You answer me with silence
And it's okay if You don't say a word
You're testing me to trust You'll be faithful in this quiet
So okay

Answer me
With silence

Something I Learned This Weekend...

It is ok to be a writer and not like to read. :-D

Let me explain, my dad's cousin is a famous author. He has written tons of books. He and I were talking this evening, and I found out that he (like me) only writes shorter books because he could never imagine reading anything longer.

Since forever, I have been told that for a person to be a good writer they must read a lot. Up until now, that has always pretty much put me into a mode of slight depression - but I have been liberated this weekend! I no longer have to try to do something that I don't really like in order to strive to be someone that I want to be. :)

Wow! That last sentence was far too philosophical to be coming from me, which is a clear sign that I should 'hit the sack.'

Goodnight everyone!

Mathematical Proofs

I've been struggling with geometry lately. In fact, I seem to always struggle with geometry - but end-of-the-year-itis has not helped any ;)

Looking for help on the Internet tonight, I came across this article on proofs. To anyone else who is not geometrically inclined, I'm sure that you'll find this as funny as I did!

Enjoy!

36 Methods of Mathematical Proof

Proof by obviousness
"The proof is so clear that it need not be mentioned."

Proof by general agreement
"All in favor?. . . "

Proof by imagination
"Well, we'll pretend it's true. . .

Proof by convenience
"It would be very nice if it were true, so . . .

Proof by necessity
"It had better be true, or the entire structure of mathematics would crumble to the ground."

Proof by plausibility
"It sounds good, so it must be true."

Proof by intimidation
"Don't be stupid; of course it's true."

Proof by lack of sufficient time
"Because of the time constraint, I'll leave the proof to you."

Proof by postponement
"The proof for this is long and arduous, so it is given in the appendix."

Proof by accident
"Hey, what have we here?!"

Proof by insignificance
"Who really cares, anyway?"

Proof by mumbo-jumbo
" (B Ì P ) , $ (C Î W )

Proof by profanity
(example omitted)

Proof by definition
"We define it to be true."

Proof by tautology
'It's true because it's true."

Proof by plagiarism
"As we see on page 289......"

Proof by lost reference
"I know I saw it somewhere......"

Proof by calculus
"This proof requires calculus, so we'll skip it."

Proof by terror
When intimidation fails ...

Proof by lack of interest
"Does anyone really want to see this?"

Proof by illegibility
(scribble, scribble) QED

Proof by logic
"If it is on the problem sheet, then it must be true!"

Proof by majority rule
Only to be used if general agreement is impossible

Proof by clever variable choice
"Let A be the number such that this proof works. . "

Proof by tessellation
"This proof is the same as the last."

Proof by divine word
"And the Lord said, 'Let it be true,' and it was true."

Proof by stubbornness
"I don't care what you say-it is true!"

Proof by simplification
"This proof reduces to the statement 1 + 1 = 2."

Proof by hasty generalization
"Well, it works for 17, so it works for all reals."

Proof by deception
"Now everyone turn their backs. . ."

Proof by supplication
"Oh please, let it be true."

Proof by poor analogy
"Well, it's just like . . . "

Proof by avoidance
Limit of proof by postponement as it approaches infinity

Proof by design
If it's not true in today's math, invent a new system in which it is.

Proof by authority
"Well, Don Knuth says it's true, so it must be!"

Proof by intuition
"I just have this gut feeling. . ."

Taken from http://www.bluemoon.net/~watson/proof.htm