Next topic

Unfortunately Aman already brought up my next topic here, but I feel like discussing this because it's "worldly" news.


The Israeli-Lebanon conflict is creating in my opinion a rather halfhearted response by the United States government. Actually more like one person then the government. Concoleeza Rice, our Secretary of State, seems to be the only one who is speaking of this conflict. At least shes the only name attached to the situation. I have to say I am rather disappointed by our governments response to the attacks on both sides. I don't like that Hezbollah launches missiles into Israel just because it can and wants to further its power in the region; not to mention draw attention away from Iran. On the other hand, I don't like how Israel seems to think it has the right to invade Lebanon with its soldiers, attack massive numbers of civilians with its precision guided bombs, and destroy the infrastructure of a very instable nation. After all, it was not all that long ago that the nation recovered from over two decades of civil war. It seems rather unjust that the nation of Lebanon, more specifically the Lebanese people have to suffer from the Israeli attacks when Hezbollah is not technically a part of Lebanon. They are a terrorist organization which the Lebanese government has been unable to put down over the years. Now they are causing both sides in this conflict to look bad, and also weakening the Lebanese government. I wish the United States would use its full diplomatic might to stop Israel from attacking Lebanon with bombs and tanks. They are too indiscriminate with their killing. If Isreal wishes to attack Hezbollah, they should use the special forces soldiers they train.

When Hezbollah launches missiles into your country and kidnaps your soldiers, it does not justify declaring war on a nation that can't even fight its own internal battles let alone repair and stop Israels incursion into its country. This needs to be stopped and it needs to be stopped right now before further damage is done.

After all, this war is draining our economy as well, prices of every conceivable product are dramatically rising due to the rise in the price of a barrel of crude oil due to the instability of the Middle East. This is going to have a far reaching effect on the United State's along with the entire rest of the world if we can't put a stop to this crisis quickly and effectively. If the battle spreads to just one other Middle Eastern nation, there is no telling when and where it may end. It has to stop and it has to stop right now.

Just because Aman wants me to :P

Good grief, summers way past half over now. How fast does life fly by?? Blink and your gonna miss it.

Anyways, sorry about the long wait, I haven't really been in the mood to argue for the past week, more just sort things out in life. I don't really think this is going to be a debate post (unless you all can make it one), so I'm very sorry about that Aman.

I would like to say a couple things on here though still.

For starters, this is something which I realized not to long ago about life in high school; it's filled with too much drama. At least freshman and sophomore years have been. I don't know why that is, really life isn't over if that one guy or girl doesn't like you, or if you don't look the best, or if you do bad on a test or quiz. Life doesn't end just because things don't go your way all the time. That's why its life. You have a bad day, you get up and make the most of every other day. As far as this summer goes, I have distanced myself from a lot of my friends whom are my grade/age. It's not because I don't like them, and it's also not because I don't care, I just don't like the drama which seems to follow them everywhere they go. I know that I can be the cause of some of that drama at times but on the whole, it seems wherever this certain "group" of people go, drama follows. Pointless, stupid, unbeneficial, drama. I'm not trying to say that I'm above drama either, I know that would be a complete lie, but I'm trying to distance myself from being a part of it, or a cause of it. I have to say in that regard, life this summer has been really really good. I just hope that over the next two years of high school, we start to mature and move past these pointless issues. Why not worry about things in life that actually matter??? Why worry about the crap that won't matter in ten years??? I can't answer that, I know I am guilty of those thoughts at times too.

The other thing I keep asking myself lately is about the meaning of life. Or more specifically how do you define a life well lived???? I can come up with a thousand different answers and everyone sounds wonderful in my head... that is if I was in a movie. But this is real life we are talking about and no movie can imitate the effects a real life can have. so I guess my point here is, how do you (you all) define a life well lived?? I would greatly appreciate some help on this so please answer :).


Sincerely with best regards to all, Jeffrey

Whoopee

So now that nearly everyone is back in town, I think its time for a new debate. First though, I hope everyone enjoyed their mission trips/workcamps/vacations/4th Of July and so on. Those were good times for all.

What does the American Flag represent? Is it just a cloth with colors painted on it in random locations, or is it a symbol of the freedoms we have and the men who fought for those freedoms. On that subject, I can't answer for anybody but myself. Everyone sees the flag differently. However that is not the point behind this post.

The point is Flag burning. Specifically the American Flag. I honestly don't care if you burn a Winnie the Pooh flag just so long as you don't burn the American Flag. Although Winnie the Pooh is a really sweet dude so please don't burn his flag :) However when it comes to the American Flag, I understand that you all have the freedom of speech to do as you please... but why the American Flag??? Men (and now women) are given the specific duty of carrying that into battle and not to let it touch the ground, people have died to carry that flag, and now others burn it. I don't understand it. I think its appalling, and it really pisses me off. I know people will say that soldiers don't go into battle for the flag itself, however the flag represents our country. And while they don't fight for the actual cloth linen itself, they fight for the country. They fight for what that flag represents. It's something to take pride in, not to burn. I just don't understand why someone needs to burn an object that other men have sacrificied their lives to protect.

I would continue this post cept I just came back to it two days later so I have no idea what I want to say. Later chaps :)

Just curious, how was West Virginia for you St. Joes folks??

Back from West Virginia

Just returned from the greatest trip I have ever had the honor of taking in my entire life, got to help build a new deck for a man named Charlie with 7 of the greatest people I have ever met. Anna, Becca, Brittany, Tom, Laura, Jason, and Austin, you guys all rock. I seriously will never forget you guys and I hope to see each and every one of you again.

From this trip I took out so many things, but the two key parts are that everyone can make a different, I never really realized how much my own actions could touch the life of another human being who is either more or less fortunate then myself. The other thing I realized is just how good we have it here in Grafton, I mean I thought it was bad when I got a B on my report card for something; hell I don't know anything. Some of the kids I met have to worry everyday about whether or not they will live, or see food on the table or even have a safe place to use the restroom. It was one of the most eye opening, jaw dropping, heart stopping, gut wrenching experiences of my life and I would do anything to go back to it right now. I would do anything to be back with my group members instead of here in Grafton.

Why is it that when one person wakes up to Cocoa Puffs and ESPN and Cartoon Network, another kid not one block away could be waking up to screaming parents and the thoughts that they are unimportant in this world?????!!! WHY THE HELL IS THAT!!!! WHO DO PEOPLE THINK THEY ARE TO HURT THESE CHILDREN????????!!!!!!!!!!! It takes some nerve, and only a coward could do such a thing. I want to know why it is that some people think they can hurt others just because of who they are, what is it that drives the human mind to such far reaching places??? Is it lunacy, insanity, a few too many drinks?? What is it?? Why do people hurt others like they are mere toys, like dogs with a bone or a cat grabbing a string. It's not right, it's not fair, and it's not just.

Thank you God for the people I met, and good day to you all. Special thanks to Anna, you truly changed who I am and you will probably never even see this to know it. :)