Not old just older: Common Ground, a response

Monday, February 16, 2009

Common Ground, a response

Don Sampo
James Hepworth
English 150
February 16, 2009
A response

Common Ground
By John Daniels

The poems were tremendous. They touched my heart in a way that I thought only others would feel. The book was dedicated to the memory of his father, Franz E. Daniel. I found this interesting. He writes about personal experiences like places, animals, people, and nature itself. I really enjoyed “Tonight in the Quiet I think of My Father.” Maybe this one touched my more the other poems in the book. My dad died many years ago, in 1980, but I still have vivid memories of him often. Good memories are treasures for a lifetime. The funny thing about life is that too often we take it for granted. We are only here for a short time then death ensues. There are glimpses of getting in tune with nature. I will take more time and notice the presence of nature and its responses.

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A response to Obama's Address

Don Sampo
James Hepworth
English 150
January 27, 2009
Obama’s Address
Response to Questions

What are the rising tides of prosperity? America had some prosperous times when President Clinton was in office, but there were some good times with Reagan also. I grew up in the fifties, and life seemed so much easier then. The cost of living has outpaced wages for a long time. The wealthy get richer and the poor get poorer.

What are the still waters of peace? The still waters of peace might seem stagnant, but it could depend on what time period and where you live also. In the Middle East there is always turmoil, and South America, and Russia have their share of bloodshed. We had 9/11, but I feel this is minimal in comparison to other countries problems. China, Vietnam, and India have battles. We have gangs and organizations with bikers, Asian and Chicano gangs, and mafias.

What is meant by gathering clouds? Rules for war are fine but some countries don’t abide by them. China outnumbers us by a huge amount and they have nuclear warheads too. The whole world is watching the United States to see how we can recover. I am optimistic about our future, and I feel good about a recovery. In dark times like the Great Depression and World War II this country rebounded.

What are raging storms? Wars, battles, and violence arise without any significant reason. I don’t think that people should be paranoid about these, but we should work together to make peace and not war. We could make friends with other countries instead of enemies.

I don’t agree with some of Obama’s remarks in his speech, but some of them are evident. Hard choices require sacrifices. We can obtain what we need instead of what we want. We can fire the politicians that don’t amount to much. The nation’s banks have had problems, but banks have needed restructuring for a long time. Now is a good time for changes to happen. There were 2.6 million jobs lost in 2008. There were over 850,000 Americans that lost their homes in 2008.

New world is just a fancy word for changing for the better. People lose jobs and homes and it isn’t always there fault. The getting back up and starting again is difficult but not impossible. New age of prosperity could be what Obama is referring to. I have hope that will turn out fine. It will take more than our president for things to get better.

Do schools fail too many people? Receiving an education requires discipline, hard work, determination, sacrifice, money, transportation, books, technology, patience, and a good attitude. I think this is why Obama claims that schools fail too many. It takes a lot to achieve the goal of a better job, more money, and other fringe benefits. L.C.S.C. is not failing me; it will take time to achieve my goal.

We hope the United States will remain strong and prosper, but God only knows whether that will change or not. We are still a strong nation militarily, but there are other countries that have weapons and knowledge like the United States. We hope the next generation will do well, but it starts at home.

Civilizations last as long as they are dominant over other peoples and countries. The Roman Empire lasted for centuries, so did some of the Chinese dynasties. It depends on whether their policies, administration, military, and strength are sufficient to keep other countries from conquering them.

A short span of time could be four years or it could be one century. It depends on the individual’s idea of time. I think Obama was talking about his term in office. A dogma is a principle, an idea, a belief, a statement of ideas, or opinions. I think Obama wants to change some of the old ways in the white house. Maybe he wants to pass his changes and ideas through Congress and the Senate without being vetoed so he can accomplish the tasks necessary to get America moving again.

I think everyone prefers leisure over work, but it takes money to buy food, clothing, and shelter. Some people don’t want to work; they just want everything given to them. We should all seek for riches in this world but only some ever get it. Yes, the American dreams to live the better life in luxury and pleasure. I have been without money and even the bare necessities of life, and I survived it all. I know what it’s like to be poor. I wish everyone had that opportunity. Maybe then they would work harder and be more appreciative for what they do have.

A sixteen year old boy died at Concord. The shooting was another drive-by or gang related killing. It was a senseless murder that should have happened. At Gettysburg,
over 46,000 Americans became casualties during this civil war. There were over 5,100 Americans and 3,100 Germans that died at Normandy during World War II. There were over 1,400 American marines killed and 1,100 South Vietnamese killed at Khe Sahn, Vietnam. Oh those brave soldiers that risked their lives for all of us!

Narrow interests are those of the rich and not the little man. They seek their happiness for their own likes. Unpleasant decisions could be changes that some people will not appreciate at all, especially the people that have everything handed to them on a silver platter. I think he is talking about “we” as in the poor man or the middle class. The middle class and the poor struggle more to survive than the wealthy.

I think Obama has some wonderful ideas. Healthcare reform, scientific advances, technological advances, and schools of the future are the good ideas he is talking about. I think he knows what he wants to do. His reference to science is about solar and wind power and other alternate clean forms of energy. I don’t think there is enough funding so everyone that really wants to go to college can. It costs money to educate, teach, learn, and build.

This country has come a long way from its beginnings. We have changed the course of history for the better from our own inventions, ideas, ingenuity, perseverance, and determination. We have done things that no other country was able to do. I remember even from my childhood how strong this country really is.

Obama is right; the government has favored the rich for many years. It is time the poor and the middle class received the breaks and benefits like the wealthy does.

We are not friends with all nations even though we have tried to be. In Iran, the people burn the U.S. flag on a regular basis. It is a sign of hate and disrespect that they despise the United States. Maybe Iran and Afghanistan dislike us because of the aggression we have shown in our history. Maybe they are jealous because we are the richest nation in the world.

Obama is referring to our strength in the military, and our ability to bounce back in the face of adversities. Entitlement refers to our right or our claim as to what we should receive or allowed to have. We can do whatever we want, but we could be faced with serious consequences.

Recent disasters like the stock market, healthcare, and the economy has lead other countries to believe that we are not the leaders in the world any more. We will bounce back and be the greater nation. I have confidence in the people of this great nation.

Our ancestors strived to make this country a great one by the foundations of law, our rights, freedom, and religion. There was a lot of bloodshed in the process of fighting for our freedom. Our ideals or beliefs are still a beacon of light shining through the darkness of prejudice, violence, and hatred. We are a peaceful nation unless we are provoked.

We can be the peacemakers in the world and not always kill our enemies. We are there rebuilding countries when we destroy them. The United States tries to feed other countries when they are hungry. We try to help them when they need medical attention.

In my opinion, we should be a Christian nation, but we are also a melting pot of various beliefs and religions. Jesus came to this earth to save those that were lost, disabled, hungry, and in pain. It is not always clear what Christians need to do, but we can help others that are troubled.

Our political leaders have tried to silence or ignore dissent, but we have that right to disagree whenever we want. Maybe the people of the United States need to be more aggressive toward politicians to help make those changes that we need. We can have a voice in important matters and write to congressman, senators, governors, and the president.

People that are different than us need help. People have different ideas, skin color, cultures, and beliefs. We can be helpers of others instead of killing them. We can be good Samaritans. We can be kind toward others.
The spirit of service comes from the heart. It is born in all of us that have the compassion, love, and joy to help those people in need. We are an aggressive nation, but we don’t have to make that a priority.

My wife is a cancer survivor, and she has had her share of grief in the last few years. She has had many surgeries, been injured, lost her dad, and struggled to make ends meet. I have been here and helped her get back on her feet. My eyes were injured at Potlatch Mill. I have been recovering from these injuries, and I made it a priority for myself to be retrained with a new career. It has been a struggle for my mother-in-law also. I have been helping her with household maintenance and repair for years even though I struggle with my eyesight.

I am determined to have a new career with a proper education at L.C.S.C. I am a small voice in the world, but I can make a difference to others. Sometimes actions speak louder than words. Obama is calling every citizen of the United States to help make this a better nation. I don’t know what my calling or future will be, but I have a desire in my heart to help others in some way. Maybe people that come from broken families need my help. Maybe abused children or adults need guidance.

The rebel in me

I have always been a survivor. There have been some changes in my life during the last 20 years, but I have learned to except them. Some good things and some not so good things. I have two wonderful kids that don't live with me; I miss them but at least I keep in touch with them. My father in law died, I got a divorce then remarried, and I went back to school even when everyone else told me I couldn't. I have my own good attitude, my own determination, and a good feeling about the end result of my education. I got into trouble with the law when I was young, but I struggled through it. I am a rebel and a kid at heart, and I have a desire to help others.

Not old just older

Monday, February 16, 2009

Common Ground, a response

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A response to Obama's Address

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