To What Extent (if at all) Can We Torture for Information?

Extreme torture should not be used, because the information isn't always true, many people are actually innocent, and it is against the United States' principals. It is said that "90% of the prisoners at Abu Grahib were not guilty of anything" (Sullivan, 2005). When prisoners are asked questions that they don't know; the military can assume that they know, but will not believe that the detainees don't know. Then, the detainee is subjected to torture, which may be physical or mental, and left to think over having the "right" answer to give to the interviewers. In order to escape torture for themselves and their family, they will lie to get the questioners "off of their backs". What happens when they get a false lead that they think is true? What will they do to the informant when they find they were lying? What if they took valuable time interviewing someone and getting these fabricated stories when they should have been looking for those who committed the crimes? The United States stands for freedom and equality. We signed the Geneva Convention saying we wouldn't engage in "torture", but yet plenty of revisions have been made to change our involvement to be more "proactive" with suspected terrorists. If the United States stands for equality and freedom, let's try giving it to more than ourselves.

Dead Teen Walking

In "Dead Teen Walking" and White Fang, it's apparent that the environment of both Cousins and White Fang were altered for the worst. White Fang was traded amongst "Gods", getting a feeling of worthlessness, much like when Cousins went to his "father" (isn't for sure). Also, after other outside influences, (wild dogs, Beauty Smith, and Robert Epps) they, who seem like perfectly sane beings, turned into monsters. (Of course, the obscurity of the evidence against Cousins should be taken into consideration.) Cousins was very involved in his school (academics and co-curriculars) and White Fang was curious and innocent. "For the time, fear had been routed by growth, while growth had assumed the guise of curiosity. (London, 77) Likewise, Cousins was "headed places"; "He got A's and B's, played varsity football and served as an usher in church...He wanted to be an accountant so he could manage the money he was going to make as an athlete," claimed his half-brother. Later on, Beauty Smith became the owner of White Fang, and Cousins started hanging out with Robert Epps, going with on many robberies. People have to be influenced in some way to act the way they do.

If the crime was extremely heinous, death row should be taken into account. I can't say that I am vehemently against the death penalty for teens, but it seems like there's always influence that made them this way. We are forced to think, now, about the government's power to make sure people don't have these situations, and also the amount of power the parents have. If we are to dismiss the actions of the individual because of their actions that are because of their past, does that give the government to check parenting skills? Would we protect the would-be victims by monitoring parents? White Fang helped me to see that although you might be put into a bad situation, you aren't forced to do anything that goes against what's right.

Should the Draft be Reinstated?

I can't help but feel torn between saying yes to help those who are fighting, and saying no to give the men a choice. I am a girl, (and as of right now they don't include girls in the draft) can't say how I would truly feel if I was eligible to be picked. I know plenty of guys and would be heartbroken if they had to go off to war, knowing their potential. I'm not saying that being a soldier isn't a great potential, but it's not for everyone. I don't think the draft should be reinstated though, because it should be someone's choice to make that kind of a life changing committment. Either way, however, I think more funding should be given (whether it be from the senators or from Uncle Sam's pocket) for efficient equipment overseas equipping men and women with the best. I understand this is not necessarily economically friendly, but who ever said war is?

What do I remember about September 11th, 2001?

The morning was just as any other--quiet conversations carried on while we were working on homework given by Mrs. Martin. A T.V. was rolled into the room, and I didn't really know what was going. Minutes before, Mrs. Martin told us that some buildings had been hit by an airplane, and being somewhat ignorant and not knowing what the twin towers were, the facts didn't click. Then, later on, we learned of the other coincidence of another plane going down, with speculations it was en route to another major building. Then, the suspicions formed and it was deemed a terrorist attack. The image that swept across the air was for sure--extreme damage can be done...things we never would have thought to be used for weapons (airplanes)were aimed like massive torpedoes, hurling for the American government. People were scared, unsure of what might be next. Would we have a war defending ourselves on our home turf? Mothers were worried...will my son have to go to war? I thought we were past this...