#13 The Justness of the US wars in Syria, Iraq, and Afghanistan

The wars in Syria, Iraq, and Afghanistan all started because of a terrorist  attack in September on the 11th in the year of 2001. Two planes crashed into the Twin Towers in New York City, New York. Once that happened President George W. Bush said hat the United States was going to declare a war against terrorism. Many Americans were relieved when he said that he was declaring a war because they wanted revenge and vengeance for all the lives that were lost during the attack and the aftermath of the attack. Once the war started our Military forces was well supported and loved. Many people even enlisted into the Military when the attack happened because they were compelled to protect their fellow Americans and their families from terrorists.

The Bhagavad-Gita is a Hindu story about war. The war was between a man and his cousins; they were trying to determine who was the rightful heiress to the thrown because the king died. One quote from the story that stood out and shows that war should be supported is "Bhishma, Drona, Jayadratha, Karna, and many others are already slain. Kill those whom I have killed. Do not hesitate. Fight in this battle and you will conquer your enemies" (http://www.patheos.com/blogs/hindu2/2014/10/100-great-bhagavad-gita-quotes-from-krishna/).

The Art of War is a book about how one can conquer their enemy during the time of war. It can range from an actual war to a business war. There are some quotes in that book that captured my attention that I believe to be true about war and why it should be supported. One quote: is
 “The art of war is of vital importance to the State. It is a matter of life and death, a road either to safety or to ruin. Hence it is a subject of inquiry which can on no account be neglected"...Another quote is “Engage people with what they expect; it is what they are able to discern and confirms their projections. It settles them into predictable patterns of response, occupying their minds while you wait for the extraordinary moment — that which they cannot anticipate” (Sun Tzu, The Art of War).

There were many news reports about 9/11 and all of the wars that have taken place since 2001-now.  When it comes to the war in Syria one news article reported "In September 2014, a US-led coalition launched air strikes inside Syria in an effort to "degrade and ultimately destroy" IS. But the coalition has avoided attacks that might benefit Mr Assad's forces" (BBC News). One new article said "A sizable majority of Americans continue to support a war to oust Saddam Hussein, and most seem to believe the worst about possible links between the Iraqi leader and the Al Qaeda terrorists" (Pew Research Center). Lastly, the war in Afghanistan was covered in a news article that stated ""If militias are going to fight, they should be organized by the government and fight under its flag," he said. "If they go out on their own, things like this can happen" (U.S. News). All of these new stories show that those war were supported because the ultimate goal was to reduce and prevent terror attacks against Americans and the people who live in those Middle Eastern countries.

#12 Tragic Public Figure

Our new President Donald Trump is the public figure that can be considered the most tragic person in our news today. He is tragic figure because many people believe that he is a bigot and a racist. Many people think that Donald Trump should be impeached because his actions have stopped a lot people from returning home to their families. Also he has built a wall at the Mexican border at the Gulf of Mexico keeping Mexicans from entering the United States illegally.

Trumps slogan "Together, we will Make America Great Again!" (https://www.donaldjtrump.com/) has made many Americans upset. They feel like he is being condescending towards our former President Barack Obama and African Americans. Most people have taken the slogan as him saying America was not great because Barack Obama was running the country. Since he is considered to be an African American many feel as if Trump is saying the country is back to way it should be and better because another rich Caucasian man is running the country.

"Suspended the entire US refugee admissions system for 120 days, even though it was already one of the most rigorous vetting regimens in the world, taking 18 to 24 months and requiring interviews and background checks through multiple federal agencies. Trump has said he wants more strictures – but has not described them" (https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/jan/28/trump-immigration-ban-syria-muslims-reaction-lawsuits). Trumps ideology was that he is keeping American's safe from terrorists that have been plotting to come into America and attack. However, what he ended doing was keeping a lot of people who already lived in America and were overseas working in the Middle East from coming home because he banned flights to America for certain Middle Eastern countries. This hurt many families because some contract workers and even people the Military were not allowed to come home. Some people who lived America already and were of the Middle Eastern ethnicity were refused flights back to America. They ended loses their homes, cars and other possessions that they have because of President Trump's ban. Many Americans do like Trump's orders and are trying to everything they can to stop him from making illegal orders. Even a judge said that Trump's actions were illegal and dangerous.

Trump's Presidency can be compared to classical tragedies. His presidency is like classical tragedies because  he has been deemed as a hero but he has many character flaws. For example, Oedipus was seen as a hero because he solved the riddle of the Sphinx and became the king of Thebes. Once he became the king he helped the suffering country become a better place to lived. In comparison, Trump's presidency made him a hero to White Americans and others who voted him into the White House. Many people feel that Donald Trump is going to make America a better place to live and make a America a great country again simply because he is Caucasian. Those people who voted for him feel like he saved us from "A NIGGER" known as our former president Barack Obama. Oedipus's tragic character flaws were his arrogance, ignorance, prudence and he was boisterous; Donald Trump has the same character flaws. Both of them can not see what other people see because they are naïve when it comes to living in a normal working middle or lower class person's life. They are both seen as great to many and a great danger to a few.

#11 Tragic Narrative

One Friday Travis was at the mall and so was I. I saw him shopping in the stores. We walked pass each other and did not say speak to one another. There were a lot off people at the mall that day. It was a beautiful day. We stayed at the mall until the night came. It must have been gang initiation weekend because a lot of gangs were out when night fell. As we were exiting the mall there were a lot of people in the parking lot. They were all surrounding their vehicles. There was music playing loudly. There were a lot of men dressed in their colors that are affiliated with their gang and they were smoking and talking loudly. Then Travis exited the mall and the scene changed.

As Travis and his friends entered the parking lot every one's head began to turn. All of the gang members began to turn towards Travis and they walked up to him. Travis and the gang members began arguing in the parking lot. The arguing escalated and fist fights started to happen. Shots rang out and people were scattering around the parking lot. The gang members were aiming at Travis and his friends. Before I knew Travis got shot by one the gang members. Then time froze for a few seconds.

I run over to where he fell after being shot and immediately yelled for someone to get help. I took off my brand new white shirt and began to apply pressure to the gunshot wound. My friend said "You are only in a bra, put on a shirt". My response was"So, I have to apply pressure I do not want him to die". Then I was telling Travis that I need him to live and that he is my baby and I love him. Then I told my friend to go into the mall and buy me a new white shirt.

The ambulance and police arrives at the same time. The EMT's  put Travis on the stretcher and rushed him to the hospital. I jumped into his car and followed them to the hospital. I was covered in his blood. Everything suddenly went black.

IT WAS A DREAM!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I woke up and I was breathing heavily. I had tears running down my eyes. I picked up the phone and called Travis he did not pick up. Then I sent him a text asking him if he was okay and he responded and said yes. Then a few years later he told me that people were trying to hurt him.

#10 My Views on What A Modern Hero is Compared/Contrasted to Colleagues

My view on a modern hero is that a person can be considered a hero when he or she has done something that makes them stand out from a crowd of people and is good for all. The example I used is the first three women that were allowed to join the Infantry in the Marine Corps. They paved the way women like me that want to join the Military or the Marine Corps specifically.

Compared to the posts that I read from my colleagues is that we all believe that a hero should be someone that is courageous. Also this person must make accomplishments that no one else have made. Moreover, a hero is someone that sets an example for others to follow. They create a standard or trend that everyone wants to do because this person is seen as influential. Another way my view and my colleagues view can be compared is that we feel that a hero has to risk their life for another to be considered a hero.

My belief on what a modern hero can be contrasted to my colleagues because  I believe that a hero does not have to save someone in order to be considered a hero. However, my colleagues believe that a hero is a person that saves someone else. The three women that I chose to write about did not save anyone to become a hero to me; but the fact that they joined the Infantry in the Marine Corps means that they are willing to risk their life for the entire country to make sure we remain strong and free from terrorism and other acts that would threaten our country and its people. Another reason why our views can contrasted is my colleagues believe that a hero must be a man. I feel that anyone can hero.

#9 Modern Epic Hero

A modern hero can be just a normal person. The difference between that person and everyone else is that he or she does something that makes them stand out and is good for all. My modern day heroes are the three women that were the first ones to enter infantry in the Marine Corps. They paved the way for young girls and women all over the United States that have always wanted to become apart of the Infantry in the Marine Corps. I am one of those women that wanted to join the Marine Corps but due to the fact that I am short and did not meet the height requirement. However, these three women gave me courage and showed me that through determination you can accomplish anything no matter how many times someone tells you that you will NEVER be able to accomplish your set goal or that because you are a woman you will NEVER be able to have that job. They also helped me realize that I should not give up on my dreams to join the military. Since I saw these three women show the whole world that women can participate and excel in the Infantry in the Marine Corps I have decided to give the military another shot. I am going to enlist in the Army later on this year. The bravery and persistency from these three women show us that women can do ANYTHING a man can do; not only can they do it but they are damn good at it as well.

#8 My Views About The Wikipedia Article On Chaucer's Works

My views on the Wikipedia article that I chose is that it is a very good article. There are a lot of outside sources that have been used to create this article.
Skeat, W. W., ed. The Complete Works of Geoffrey Chaucer. Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1899; Vol. I p. ix.

1. Jump up ^ Skeat (1899); Vol. I, pp. xi–xii.
2. Jump up ^ Skeat (1899); Vol. I, p. xvii

This source above is the main source for information about Chaucer's works. With the research that was done you can learn about everything that Chaucer has written. It also tells you about the most important works of his.

Chaucer's first major work, The Book of the Duchess, was an elegy for Blanche of Lancaster (who died in 1369) (Skeat). This sentence came from the source that is posted above. The author found it necessary that he or she should include the first piece of literature that Chaucer wrote; which became  major.

The article has pertinent information in it that can help me write my article about Chaucer's Works. However, I have found that there is some information missing from the article. Since I chose to write on the same topic I will fill in the gaps of article so it will be complete. Other than the missing information from the article it was well written. The article gives me some ideas about how I want to write my article about Chaucer's Works. The article is overall one of the best articles I have seen thus far about Chaucer's Works.

Blog # 7~A Comparison Between Romantic Love Developed First In The Aristocratic Courts Of Europe, China, India, and Japan to love in the Wife of Bath

Romantic love first developed 18th century English and originally meant "romance-like"-that is, resembling the fanciful character of medieval romances (https://www.mtholyoke.edu/courses/rschwart/hist255/jkr/romanticism.html). The reason romantic love reached Europe is because there was a lot of oppression and they way they got through it was by writing poetry. Political and social causes made this movement what we know it as now because the basis of these poems was politics and social problems. Those poems became vital human documents that are still pertinent today.

Romantic love developed in China in the late 18th century. However, it was very tumultuous because Chinese men were against there little daughters or grand-daughters from falling in love. When romantic love came into play it started to replace arranged marriages; it moved slowly into China (http://factsanddetails.com/china/cat4/sub20/item1156.html). Still until this day you do not hear much about romantic love because the people in China have been practicing and believing in the same type of love for centuries. There are still arranged marriages in China.

Romantic love developed in India during the 19th and early 20th century. In ancient India romantic love was seen as disruptive, almost antisocial act http://www.stephaniecoontz.com/books/marriage/chapter1.htm). Much like China, India practices arranged marriages. They have been doing this for centuries because they feel that romantic love is not how people actually love each other. The men in India feel as if they have to choose a husband for their daughters. It is apart of their culture; so many Indians move to America so they will not have to practice how they do back home and so they can marry whoever they choose to marry.

Romantic love developed in Japan during the 19th century. In Japan they do not believe in romantic love as much as other countries like America. Japan is located in Asia just like China and they have similar beliefs. They do not want their daughters falling in love. If their daughters do get married then it must be an arranged marriage. Just like China and India it is considered to be a tradition to arrange marriages because it has been done for centuries. In Japan they believe that marriage has nothing to with romantic love.

Romantic love on the Wife of Bath is similar to romantic love in Europe, China, India, and Japan because in the tale the old hag married men because they had money. For instance, in India the families that are wealthy only marry to another wealthy family. Another way they are similar is because romantic love was forbidden for women. It was seen as shameful and a sin. 

60       That hye God defended marriage





 This line from the Wife of Bath shows God forbid marriage. During this time frame women were supposed to remain as virgins. Just like in China, Japan, and India romantic love is frowned upon and is it considered to be unrealistic. In the tale she was never really in love; well that was until she met her fifth husband. Romantic love is a movement that went every where in the world but is not recognized by countries with strict religious backgrounds and beliefs. Europe, China, India, Japan and the Wife of Bath tale all deal with romantic love in a way that shows us that this phenomenon that we call LOVE is universal but every one has their own perception of exactly what it is, where it comes from, and how it is shown.

A Comparison/Contrast Between A Song About Eroticism And Metamorphoses And The Wife of Bath Tale

The Song of Solomon is a song about eroticism and be compared to the Metamorphoses and the Wife of Bath because all three of them have a common factor which is God. Another way that these stories are similar is that they all express love in some way, form or fashion. In Metamorphoses Apollo and Daphne's story was the first erotica just like the Song of Solomon and the Wife of Bath tale. In all these stories there beautiful woman involved. In both the Wife of Bath tale and the Solomon Song the beautiful woman professes her love for the man that she is involved with.

There are many differences between the stories as well. First lets look at the Song of Solomon. It differs from the Wife of Bath and Metamorphoses because it is about a bride confessing her love. For example,

"² Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth!
For your love is better than wine;"

This line shows that the bride really adores her groom. Also it shows that the bride loves the way her groom kisses her.

In Metamorphoses the story of Apollo and Daphne differs from the Solomon Song and the Wife of Bath because the love between Apollo and Daphne was forced. Cupid was angry with Apollo so he made him fall in love with Daphne. 

"Then Cupid aimed at Phoebus, and love's arrow

With fire of lightning pierce his bones;

Apollo walked as in a tower of flames.

As Phoebus burned with love young Daphne fled"

These lines show how cupid shot his arrow and forced Apollo to have feelings of love toward Daphne. This story is one about revenge not true love. 

 

The Wife of Bath differs Solomon's Song and Metamorphoses because it is a tale is about an old hag that gets married many times and then when she got married for the fifth time she became a beautiful young woman. In this tale she describes her husbands and tells why she married them. Most of the time she only married a man because of his look and for the fact that he had money.



 

6       Housbondes at chirche dore I have had fyve --

 999         A fouler wight ther may no man devyse.

 

1250       And whan the knyght saugh verraily al this,
                  ,
1251       That she so fair was, and so yong therto,

In line 6 the old hag tells us that she has been married five times. This differs from Solomon's Song because the bride was only describing her love for one man and that was the groom. It differs from Metamorphoses Apollo and Daphne because the Wife of Bath was married and Apollo and Daphne were not. Lines 999, 1250, and 1251 describes how the wife went from being seen as just an old had to a young beautiful woman. Solomon's Song and Metamorphoses Apollo and Daphne differ from the Wife of Bath because the women are seen as beautiful the entire the stories are being told.
                  

Modern and Old-Fashioned Approaches to Sexuality and Romantic Love in the Wife of Bath Tale

The Wife of Bath's approach to sexuality can be seen as modern because the wife was open about it. When she was describing her marriages and she sort of reveled what their sex life was like as well. For example,  44b       Bothe of here nether purs and of here cheste. 
                 Both of their lower purse (scrotum) and of their strongbox.
This line was describing her husbands private area. The reason she would marry these men is because she thought they had nice bodies. Her  marriages were based of her lust not love. If she found a man to be sexually desirable she would take the time to tell what part of the man's body she fancies the most.

The old-fashioned approach to sexuality is that she tells about her husband's private parts but she does not describe exactly how their sex life was. It differs from modern times because in modern times people are so open about their sex lives to the point where people feel like they know to much. People today just tell it all; they even tell about what sexual acts were performed while their sexual intercourse took place. What makes the Wife of Bath tale old-fashioned is the way she describes her lust for her husband's. For example, 416       For wynnyng wolde I al his lust endure, The translation is : For profit I would endure all his lust

The modern approach to romantic love is shown in the way that love is shown today. Yes, people to find true love and live a happy life together. As a criminal justice major though we see that relationships today are dealing with a lot of domestic violence. In the Wife of Bath tale she talks about how her fifth husband was abusive. For example, in these lines she describes how her husband would beat her; then he could win her heart back after hurting her.
511       That thogh he hadde me bete on every bon,
                That though he had beat me on every bone,
512       He koude wynne agayn my love anon.
                He could win back my love straightway.

The romantic love in the Wife of Bath tale can be considered to be old-fashioned because she was subservient to her husband. To be exact her fifth husband she could not over power. Her husband was the dominant figure and back in those days that is what the norm was. When she made her husband mad he let her know that he was the head of the household. She chose to obey him because she knew if she did not she would suffer great consequences. This is what me call in modern times living like a 50's housewife. It is similar to what happened in the Wife of Bath tale because the 50's is considered to be old-fashioned living to us. The Wife of Bath tale shows us the true meaning of old-fashioned love; the wife's fifth did not think she was attractive in the beginning. Then as time went her he saw her true beauty and because of that she turned from an old hag to a beautiful young women. That is another reason why the romantic love in the Wife of Bath tale is old-fashioned.