3rd Honor Flight- Current Event week of April 23

  Gulf Port just had its 3rd honor flight, a trip for World War II veterans to see the WWII memorial in Washington D.C. (built in 2004). Over 16 million Americans fought in WWII and approximately 400,000 were killed in action. A group of 100 WWII veterans, mostly Mississippians, made the trip to Washington to visit the memorial this past Tuesday, April 24, 2012. All veterans were accompanied by a "guardian", or a family member. The vets visited the memorial along with other important sites in Washington. Upon their return Wednesday, they were warmly welcomed by members of the community and family. 

   I think the Honor Flights are a great idea and a great way to show appreciation to our veterans! After all, we wouldn't have the free and wonderful country that we call ours without our soldiers to protect us. While many of the vets were well into their late 80's and early 90's, they still felt the monument to be very touching and had a great time. I hope that we see the "twenties and thirties" Honor Flights and continue this tradition just a small token of gratitude to our veterans for everything they have sacrificed.

"Pine Belt veterans and family members enjoy Honor Flight".   Live at Five. World Now and WDAM. WDAM. Laurel. 25 April   2012. Television.

  

Life of Pi: Part 2

I love how Pi combines religions. He says all that he wants to do is love God and I think that's what religion should be about. While Pi engages in Buddhist and Hindu acts, along with others, to love his god, I still feel that Pi gets the whole religion concept more than many people in today's society. Many people claim to be "Christian" but really they are nothing more than someone combing his or her beliefs and wants with the justification of the Bible; I have found that many people twist religious teaching, texts, etc. into what they want these practices to be in order to justify wrong doings. Pi innocently just wants to love God. While I find it hard to grasp his combination of religions, I really do feel that he has mastered the main concepts of religion in general. I personally believe that God is love and through Him we are saved and I really do think that's what Pi is striving to have a deeper understanding of with his many religions.

Justin is Growing Up!

   On ABC news one of the things the two hostesses discussed was Justin Bieber and his new transformation. While Justin's mature metamorphosis was a key component of the clip from Good Morning America, the main issue is if Bieber's new "Boyfriend" video is "too steamy" for tweens. A good point that is brought up is that Bieber is eighteen years old. He is a legal adult. He can vote. He can join the military and get into clubs. So why can't he make his music videos like he wants? Bieber is compared to Christian Aguilera and Britney Spears. The connection that is supposed to be made is that both artists started out young and "bubble-gum pop" and moved on to more mature works along with successful careers.
  While some parents may find "Boyfriend" to be too "hot" for their young little girls, Bieber is growing up and is no longer the same artist he once was. I think the new, more mature route for his music is a good choice as far as reputation and business goes. Bieber can't sing "baby, baby, baby oohhhh" forever and is taking a good career path. While I can't call myself a "Bieleber", I can say that I am rooting for Justin Bieber and I hope the best for him!       


"Is Bieber's Boyfriend Video Too Hot for Tweens?" Good Morning America. ABC. ABC, New York City.                                       .     19 April 2012. Television.

"Pi"- A New Beginning

  So far, the first 100 pages or so have been kind of a struggle. The third party observations mixed with Pi's thoughts and opinions have been intriguing while mystifying but overall confusing. I'm looking forward to why all of the background information is vitally important to the rest of the plot. I've enjoyed some of Pi's outlook on religion. My favorite opinion of his so far is "to choose doubt as a philosophy of life is akin to choosing immobility as a means of transportation" (36). I think anyone can relate to the part where Pi is talking about how children are mean. The children pick on Pi about his name and make his "refreshing aquatic name" a cruel joke. I think his way to find a fresh start by "changing" his name shows the reader a lot about his character and how he is as a person- determined. I look forward to seeing more of Pi's determination!

Fahrenheit 451- Parts 2 and 3

        Bradbury takes us through Fahrenheit 451 almost on the edge of our seats, or atleast I was! Montag reads a poem, "Dover Beach", when Mildred has a friend over to watch TV (her favorite pass time. Actually TV viewing isn't even a pass time for Millie; it's life!).  The poem evokes emotions in Montag, and I think Bradbury put the poem where he did to further emphasize that Montag isn't like everyone else; he actually feels and he's not numb like the others. I get the feeling that hardly anyone else in Montag's world actually has REAL emotions. The lack of emotion comes from the superficial, technological stimulation; humans need other humans in their lives! I believe that is why we humans are here; to help each other. In  Farenheit 451, the humans seem to have forgotten that they actually need each other to feel alive! Mildred doesn't even remember when or how she met her husband! In real life that's supposed to be something that sticks with a woman forever, right? The touch of personalism has been completely lost, and what little value of relationship that's left has been given towards technology.