Very early in the year, revolution has spread all over the Middle East; Tunisia, Egypt, Yemen, Algeria. But this series of revolt differs from history. The revolutionaries strive for their goal without violence. They strive to change their nation without destroying it. They strive for a new brand of brand of revolution.
But why would so many minor nations suddenly be filled with protest for change? There is no proof that all the revolts are organized. There is no proof that there is any direct connection at all. The cause for all these revolutions lie in the ashes of an individual who gave their lives to speak out: The Burning Man.
On December 17, 2010, Mohamed Bouazizi, a fruit seller from Tunisia, set himself alight in protest of the Tunisian government, who had just confiscated his goods. He did not survive the incident. However his act catalyzed the 2010-2011 Tunisian Revolution, which resulted in a change of government without civil war or military involvement.
Over the course of thirty days after “the burning man” incident, others had become inspired to revolutionize their country. The “burning man” became the “burning men” as others followed Bouazizi’s act to reach their voices to their own countries. On Febuary 11, 2011, Hosni Mubarak, the president of Egypt for 30 years, stepped out of power after weeks of rioting in the streets. Third World countries all over the Middle East are in the process of protesting. A mere fruit seller from Tunisia has become a hero all over the region, the “spark of revolution”, if you will.
Amazingly though, this process was analyzed almost twenty years before this period by George Orwell; documented in his book “Animal Farm”. Mohamed, “the burning man”, bears a large resemblance to Major, the boar at the beginning of the book who gave a speech that inspired the animals to revolt. Both Mohamed and Major spoke out against the system, and gave a vision to their audience of the future. Major gave a speech that inspired the animals to revolt in the view of a brighter future. Meanwhile, Mohamed set himself aflame to bring attention to his treatment, allowing the citizens to see the result if the system stayed the same. Either way, both revolutionized their nation through their actions.
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
AF Chapter 11: Andy Tsang - Pedro Vargas
XI
OVER the next month, rebellion was on the tip of the animals’ tongue. Riots had broken out. Secret meetings were held. Some even believed that the dogs had become convinced to join their cause. Although the animals only knew of this as a rumor, from hen to hen, from cow to cow, one thing was clear: The pigs must be thrown out.
One morning, Clover had woken up from a protest held outside the barn. The animals walked in an organized fashion, taking identical steps and singing Beast of England. As she observed quietly from her stall, she noticed Benjamin marching in front of the others, apparently leading them.
Then, he stopped, and all the animals behind him halted. “Comrades”, he shouted, “we have endured the pain of enslavement for too long. Our farm is a hollow shell of the one it sought to become.”
“Years ago, to prized boar known as Major gave his speech of a vision where all animals were equal; where all animals could eat as much as they worked and would in turn joyously work as much as they ate. But look at us now. Look at our farm.”
“Comrades, we rebelled against the humans to fulfill that vision. But instead, we now work for the pigs; maybe even harder than we had to for the humans. They have merely enslaved us with a false sense of freedom. Comrades, this is not true freedom! This is not what we fought for at the Battle of Cowshed! This is not Animal Farm.”
At that, all the animals sang Beast of England at the top of their lungs, and then another three times. When the finished, they charged towards the windmill, where the dogs joined in on the riot. “This cursed monument was formed from the blood and sweat of us animals”, shouted Benjamin. “Yet it has not ever been used for us! Let it now be used to overthrow the pigs! We will destroy it and use its shattered pieces to attack the oppressors.” The animals charged towards the windmill, knocking it down from the base. Tumbled and smashed on the ground, each animal gathered their share of debris and threw it at Mr. Jones’ house, where the pigs had been hiding during the revolt.
After all the debris was thrown at the house, the animals could only stare at the broken windows. Some began to remember the commandment “No animal shall kill any other animal”. None of the animals were brave enough to enter the farm and finally eradicate the pigs. But then, one of the dogs took a step towards it, and then another. Soon enough, all the animals followed the dogs into the farmhouse. But there were no pigs to be found. As they investigated, the animals noted that the backdoor to the house was open, along with a gaping hole along the fence behind it.
Throughout the next couple of days, new foundations were laid in remembrance of Major’s dream. The seven commandments were revived, along with an eight
8. No animal shall rule over any other animal.
The leader of the dogs, Maxito, had been placed in charge of the farm for the dog’s bravery during The Battle of the Pighunt, as it was now named. Benjamin and Clover became advisors to enforce the new commandment. The farm was re-named Animal Farm, in respect for Major’s vision. Everyone could sense that there was a bright future for Animal Farm.
Not long after the new system was put into place, The Sunday meetings were recreated. Every Sunday, Maxito announced new regulations to adopt and the animals would vote for them. Almost every week, the laws were unanimously passed because they were usually supportive of the other animals. During the first meeting, he had announced that Animals would get food rations based on their product output, which most saw as a benefit to the farm. The next week, Maxito announced that the previous one had motivated the animals so much that they would receive double their original ration, which was obviously passed. Not long after, votes were routinely not taken, because nearly every animal would have voted for the law to be passed anyways.
One Sunday, Maxito announced that he felt more dogs should be put into power, because they were the ones who led to rest of the animals. Almost all the animals agreed; all but Benjamin and Clover. The next day, the three of them had a meeting in barn, where the two advisors made clear their point. “Comrade”, Benjamin started, “the law just passed is in violation of the Eighth Commandment. If more dogs are in power, then during the council they will make up a majority, and will surely pass and veto any law the dogs please.”
“If this happens”, Clover joined in, “then surely the dogs will be ruling over the other animals”.
“Comrades”, said Maxito, “I understand your concern. But let me show you the truth! Come with me and I will show you why this law must be passed.” He led them out through the gate of the farm, and past the horizon, where the more secretive meetings were held. The other animals waited at the farm. Hours later, Maxito returned alone. He told the curious animals that, “I have sent them on a mission to spy on Mr. Pilkington. We believe that he is attempting to restore the power of the pigs.” Most of the animals believed him, especially the other dogs.
The next day, more dogs were placed into power as temporary regents until Benjamin and Clover returned, in respect for the newly passed law. Maxito appointed Polo, a furry dog with untrimmed black hair, and Camilla, a female dog who was rumored to be his Maxito’s sweetheart when they were younger. He stated that he needed advisors who were experienced in the wrongs of the pigs, and those two were the closest to it with Benjamin and Clover gone.
Then, on a particularly foggy morning, the animals awoke to the sound of squawking beyond from outside the barn. Moses was outside flying in a circular motion. They were familiar with his formation; he had big news. Once all the animals finished gathering around, he swooped down. “I have news!” he exclaimed, “You must see for yourself! Follow me!” He led the animals outside the farm. As the animals followed him, they noticed two shadows at the horizon. As the animals got closer, the shadows began to make out shapes. Soon, some of the animals gasped, followed by others. Soon all the animals could make out the shapes. It was Benjamin and Clover, apparently mauled by dogs.
At that sight, all the animals realized the true intentions of the dogs - nothing more than that of the pigs. And Moses, with a changed expression on his face, stood in front of the dead bodies.
"We must revolt!" he said...
Monday, January 31, 2011
Animal Farm Mini-Essay
In each of the animials in George Orwell’s “Animal Farm”, there lies a person or type of person in Russian Communism. Boxer represents the people who unconditionally supported Stalin, later assasinated because he was a safety risk to the pigs. Clover represents the educated people who were putting the puzzle together. However, the pigs are some of the most predominant symbols in the story.
Major, a boar in the beginning of the book, represents Marx. Karl Marx was a European philosopher who set the basis for Communism. Similarly, Major gave a speech of a wonderful society without humans, where everyone was equal. His speech inspired all the animals in the farm. He states, “Man is the only creature that consumes without producing...yet he is lord of all the animals. He sets them to work, he gives back to them the bare minimum that will prevent them from starving, and the rest he keeps for himself." With this quote, he incites that all humans are evil. Later, when the farmer’s family is overthrown, the phrase “Four legs good, Two legs bad” is formed. The lesser animals in the farm have been completely misguided by the speech that all humans are horrible and selfish people. In reality, this is not the case.
Some time after Major dies, a revolt by the farm animals occurs.They are led by Snowball and Napoleon, the successive boars after Major. Although their cause is the same, they have a different view on the future of the farm animals. Snowball desires to fulfill the dream Major had. He creates a set of seven laws fashioned after the ideals of Major. Snowball states, “All animals are equal”. He creates this law based on Major’s speech. Essentially, Snowball is the creature that goes through thick and thin with the other farm animals. All of the animals are amazed by his dedication to them through his words
Napoleon, on the other hand, resembles more of a serpent. Sometime later, the two enter a fight, and Napoleon is projected to lose the election. In response, Napoleon uses his own secret police to get rid of Snowball, the same way Stalin did to Trotsky. Then, he begins to change up Snowball’s laws. Referring to the one above, it newly stated, “All animals are equal. But some animals are more equal than others.” He utilizes the lower intellect of the animals against them. And the animals don’t notice the changes he’s made.
In conclusion, Napoleon and Snowball had completely different views of Major’s ideal, and the way they convinced the other animals were completely different as well.
Major, a boar in the beginning of the book, represents Marx. Karl Marx was a European philosopher who set the basis for Communism. Similarly, Major gave a speech of a wonderful society without humans, where everyone was equal. His speech inspired all the animals in the farm. He states, “Man is the only creature that consumes without producing...yet he is lord of all the animals. He sets them to work, he gives back to them the bare minimum that will prevent them from starving, and the rest he keeps for himself." With this quote, he incites that all humans are evil. Later, when the farmer’s family is overthrown, the phrase “Four legs good, Two legs bad” is formed. The lesser animals in the farm have been completely misguided by the speech that all humans are horrible and selfish people. In reality, this is not the case.
Some time after Major dies, a revolt by the farm animals occurs.They are led by Snowball and Napoleon, the successive boars after Major. Although their cause is the same, they have a different view on the future of the farm animals. Snowball desires to fulfill the dream Major had. He creates a set of seven laws fashioned after the ideals of Major. Snowball states, “All animals are equal”. He creates this law based on Major’s speech. Essentially, Snowball is the creature that goes through thick and thin with the other farm animals. All of the animals are amazed by his dedication to them through his words
Napoleon, on the other hand, resembles more of a serpent. Sometime later, the two enter a fight, and Napoleon is projected to lose the election. In response, Napoleon uses his own secret police to get rid of Snowball, the same way Stalin did to Trotsky. Then, he begins to change up Snowball’s laws. Referring to the one above, it newly stated, “All animals are equal. But some animals are more equal than others.” He utilizes the lower intellect of the animals against them. And the animals don’t notice the changes he’s made.
In conclusion, Napoleon and Snowball had completely different views of Major’s ideal, and the way they convinced the other animals were completely different as well.
Friday, January 28, 2011
Rebuttal
Recently, Wikileaks has become a huge topic as, although it benefits American society and follows the American ideal, it can be very harmful to useful propoganda by the government. According to Camal Saleh:
In his post, Saleh believes that Wikileaks is beneficial to society because American’s deserve to know whats happening in their country. I, on the other hand, believe that Wikileaks is a threat to the nation.
The American ideal was made by men who wanted a free nation not a progressive nation. Our first president was merely a military leader before he rose to office. I have no sour feelings to our founding fathers, but it is the truth. As such, the American ideal cannot be deemed as a vital political tool. During the Second World War, heavy propaganda was used to increase the military population and support. Had American government decided to follow the ideal and release the gory truth of war, the Allies may not have won.
The current situation may not be as extreme as a world war. However, Saleh does use the wars in the Middle East as a few of his examples. Getting 600,000 troops out of a country that will fire at them at first sight is not a particularly easy task. When Wikileaks releases the number of troops currently still in Iraq, protest erupts. However, the people to do riot do so at Obama who, according to the New York Times, has left less than 100,000 thousand troops there.
Wikileaks is an example of the American ideal misused by its citizens. The site has given distrust between the people and their governmen. As a result, the government can not raise enough money through funds and donations to get those troops out of the Middle East. It’s a cycle that the government is trying to stop but the people are trying to continue.
“What was unique about the site was that it allowed for anyone an “innovative, secure and anonymous way for independent sources around the world to leak information to [its] journalists”. So, the question arises: is Wikileaks overall more harmful or more beneficial to society?”
In his post, Saleh believes that Wikileaks is beneficial to society because American’s deserve to know whats happening in their country. I, on the other hand, believe that Wikileaks is a threat to the nation.
The American ideal was made by men who wanted a free nation not a progressive nation. Our first president was merely a military leader before he rose to office. I have no sour feelings to our founding fathers, but it is the truth. As such, the American ideal cannot be deemed as a vital political tool. During the Second World War, heavy propaganda was used to increase the military population and support. Had American government decided to follow the ideal and release the gory truth of war, the Allies may not have won.
The current situation may not be as extreme as a world war. However, Saleh does use the wars in the Middle East as a few of his examples. Getting 600,000 troops out of a country that will fire at them at first sight is not a particularly easy task. When Wikileaks releases the number of troops currently still in Iraq, protest erupts. However, the people to do riot do so at Obama who, according to the New York Times, has left less than 100,000 thousand troops there.
Wikileaks is an example of the American ideal misused by its citizens. The site has given distrust between the people and their governmen. As a result, the government can not raise enough money through funds and donations to get those troops out of the Middle East. It’s a cycle that the government is trying to stop but the people are trying to continue.
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Opening Statement
Many people dislike the view of population control. Some people even fear it. It is seen as a issue of humanity. Many books, such as “Among the Hidden”, are about the distressed lives of a third-born child, the target of most stories regarding population control. Population police run wild, catching and shooting any of them found. However, these books have completely misguided the methods of population control. They do not need to be violent and forbidden. Most people state that population control is a wrong to humanity. However, in reality they have merely become insensitive of the idea to limit their sexual desires for the sake of the planet.
The overwhelming human population in the earth is of two things: extended lives and babies every six seconds. Although neither are remarkably taboo, they have effects. Ever since the Industrial Revolution, human life was capable of living past their 30’s. This is a blessing in many ways. However, it has become an overaddressed issue, to the point where people are looking into stem cell research to find ways to live forever. Death is a natural part of life, and if this planet is to survive, having a never lowering population of humans will be an extreme overuse of resources. Although stem cells are a renownable medical procedure, I feel that using it to prolong a person’s life forever could cause major problems Imagine if Hitler lived forever.
In the same way, with the Baby Boom in the 30’s and the sex revolution in the 60’s, the rate of babies being born has increased dramatically over the past century. The saddest part of the huge sexual activity in modern times is that most people don’t even want a baby. They just want sex.
My solution is simple. We don’t need population police or strict population laws to fix this problem in America. Simply put, we just make the lives of those who go beyond the limit, whether it be being a third-born child or a man over 200. more difficult. For example, if someone has a child beyond the limit for offsprings, they recieve a minor fee that they pay once a year. This could be in addition to their taxes, or some other method. Furthermore, that child will recieve minor disbenefits such as being on the top of the draft list in wars when they turn 18. Simply, create laws that give minor rare requirements of these children. If the laws could not be abided, they can be fought in court like with all cases.
Population Control does not have to be violent or strict. It can be achieved through small steps.
The overwhelming human population in the earth is of two things: extended lives and babies every six seconds. Although neither are remarkably taboo, they have effects. Ever since the Industrial Revolution, human life was capable of living past their 30’s. This is a blessing in many ways. However, it has become an overaddressed issue, to the point where people are looking into stem cell research to find ways to live forever. Death is a natural part of life, and if this planet is to survive, having a never lowering population of humans will be an extreme overuse of resources. Although stem cells are a renownable medical procedure, I feel that using it to prolong a person’s life forever could cause major problems Imagine if Hitler lived forever.
In the same way, with the Baby Boom in the 30’s and the sex revolution in the 60’s, the rate of babies being born has increased dramatically over the past century. The saddest part of the huge sexual activity in modern times is that most people don’t even want a baby. They just want sex.
My solution is simple. We don’t need population police or strict population laws to fix this problem in America. Simply put, we just make the lives of those who go beyond the limit, whether it be being a third-born child or a man over 200. more difficult. For example, if someone has a child beyond the limit for offsprings, they recieve a minor fee that they pay once a year. This could be in addition to their taxes, or some other method. Furthermore, that child will recieve minor disbenefits such as being on the top of the draft list in wars when they turn 18. Simply, create laws that give minor rare requirements of these children. If the laws could not be abided, they can be fought in court like with all cases.
Population Control does not have to be violent or strict. It can be achieved through small steps.
Friday, January 21, 2011
Does Power Corrupt?
In my opinion, when a group rebels against their institution, they do not see the responsibility that comes with the freedom. Furthermore, the leaders of the newfound institution have never dealt with these responsibilities. They thought of a free nation - equality for all. But they fail to think how. How can such a moral be sustained? They realize sooner or later that the solution lies in selfishness. They do not deal with these responsibilities. They ignore the immediate crisis and instead focus on their own goals or the goals of their party. This is known as corruption.
None of the leaders believed they were corrupted. For example, a new leader has been elected. The country is in great debt. The unemployment rate is through the roof. Crime has increased over the past decade (essentially, a situation not too different from right now). How would this person get their nation out of debt? Well, the nations money comes only through one way: taxes. The obvious solution to get out of debt then would be to raise taxes. But wait! The poor people don’t have any money. The upper class can afford lawyers instead. Then the middle class claims that the government is giving an unequal jurisdiction and riot in the streets. Attempting to raise taxes has only allowed the nation to hate this person even more.
How would this person react? Would they try to further benefit their nation? Their last attempt resulted in riots in the street, unemployment increase, and being sued for even more money. In most historical cases, they decide that the people are an unneeded commodity to their goals. Essentially, they kick the people out of their roles in the government. Without the people’s selfish needs in this leader’s way, they can further their personally believed goals for the country’s benefit. However, without the people, they no longer have any input on the best direction for the nation, so they go with their own. Usually, this is desires of expansion and greater wealth. They act on their own decisions, not that of the people.
None of the leaders believed they were corrupted. For example, a new leader has been elected. The country is in great debt. The unemployment rate is through the roof. Crime has increased over the past decade (essentially, a situation not too different from right now). How would this person get their nation out of debt? Well, the nations money comes only through one way: taxes. The obvious solution to get out of debt then would be to raise taxes. But wait! The poor people don’t have any money. The upper class can afford lawyers instead. Then the middle class claims that the government is giving an unequal jurisdiction and riot in the streets. Attempting to raise taxes has only allowed the nation to hate this person even more.
How would this person react? Would they try to further benefit their nation? Their last attempt resulted in riots in the street, unemployment increase, and being sued for even more money. In most historical cases, they decide that the people are an unneeded commodity to their goals. Essentially, they kick the people out of their roles in the government. Without the people’s selfish needs in this leader’s way, they can further their personally believed goals for the country’s benefit. However, without the people, they no longer have any input on the best direction for the nation, so they go with their own. Usually, this is desires of expansion and greater wealth. They act on their own decisions, not that of the people.
Friday, January 14, 2011
My Overall Easiest Subject
Probably not as passionately, but math is also one of my favorite subjects. It may have been the fact that the answers are so direct, or that my past teachers could teach it very well, but I have always had a strong sense of mathematics, ever since sixth grade. At that time, I was doing extremely poorly in math, barely holding up a D. But then, after one parent teacher conference, I realized that had to change. I spent all my free time trying to make up my work and studying for test, and before I knew it, I ended the year with a solid B. It was that very day that I told myself, “If I applied myself like this for 2 months, and bumped my grade up 2 grades, then what could I could I accomplish if I had just done this from the beginning”. After that day, I never struggled with math, whether it’s Algebra, or Geometry, because if I was stuck, I just had to try harder, and I would get through it.
The reason why Math doesn’t threaten me is because of my logic. As a child, I always tried to view life in a fair and just manner, because fair is the only logical way of life. In my head, everything always had to be symmetrical or follow a pattern. And around the time that I figured this out, I was enrolled into the GATE program, but for some reason, I was never taught with the GATE system. And with that said, I can state that my strengths in math are my logical reasoning, since math is essentially, a numbers game.
So as long as I don’t over think my answers, I should have no problems learning the materials. In current times, I can grasp information very quickly, as long as I understand why. Teachers in the past who have taught in this way are some of my favorite teachers. They helped me learn my materials quickly and didn’t need to micro manage me. In other words, the best way to teach me the information is to teach me why. This stimulates my brain to remember the information, and if I forget, I have yet another method to remind me what it was.
The reason why Math doesn’t threaten me is because of my logic. As a child, I always tried to view life in a fair and just manner, because fair is the only logical way of life. In my head, everything always had to be symmetrical or follow a pattern. And around the time that I figured this out, I was enrolled into the GATE program, but for some reason, I was never taught with the GATE system. And with that said, I can state that my strengths in math are my logical reasoning, since math is essentially, a numbers game.
So as long as I don’t over think my answers, I should have no problems learning the materials. In current times, I can grasp information very quickly, as long as I understand why. Teachers in the past who have taught in this way are some of my favorite teachers. They helped me learn my materials quickly and didn’t need to micro manage me. In other words, the best way to teach me the information is to teach me why. This stimulates my brain to remember the information, and if I forget, I have yet another method to remind me what it was.
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