Response of:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/4792428.stm
Term 3 - Blog 2
I am composing this blog as a response of the article “Abortion Battle Lines Drawn in Mississippi”, published in the BBC website.
Basically, the article talks about the movement of anti-abortion believer in Mississippi, USA. The reporter wrote that the protestors were a bit over vigorous and enthusiastic on their movement at a level that they stopped every car passing by and ensure that the driver behind the tinted window take their literature.
This article raised up one of the hottest everlasting topic for debate, abortion. And in my blog, I would like to express my points on whether abortion should be legalized in Singapore or not.
In my personal view, I believed abortion should not be legalized in Singapore due to my perception that abortion is not suitable to be applied in Singapore. Why is that so?
Firstly, Singapore is a based-on-law country. And, in a law country, crime must be punished not be legalized. Because abortion is a crime, therefore it should not be legalized but be prevented instead.
Why do I consider abortion as a crime? Mahatma Gandhi was once quoted for saying “It is as clear as broad daylight that abortion is a crime”. The definition of abortion itself is the killing of a fetus before it reached the stage when it can have its own life, separated from its mother womb. While for killing, the definition is to take away the life from something that lives. Some people may argue that fetus doesn’t have a life. But, scientific results have proven that fetus, even since 20 days old, is alive. It produces brainwaves, generates heart beats, and is able to feel pain. Hence, it is alive. And, abortion can be considered as killing. In brief, abortion is a crime.
Secondly, Singapore is having a shortage of people. By legalizing abortion, it gives the people an option not to have children. Seeing the mentality of the most Singaporeans, I believe most of them might choose not to have children. As a result, the population of Singapore might be decreasing instead of increasing as the death rate is bigger than the growth rate. Of course, we wouldn’t opt for this to happen to our beloved country.
Last but not least, legalizing abortion might be encouraging teenagers to have pre-marital sex. They might think that it is ok to have pre-marital sex. Even if the girl becomes pregnant, they can always abort the children. Their lack of mental stability might make them forget about the fact that there are still guilt and shame that will pressurize them until their last day on Earth.
In summary, seeing the factors and conditions in Singapore, I believe that abortion is not suitable in Singapore. Hence, we should not legalize abortion in Singapore. Maybe abortion is acceptable to be applied in some countries, but not in Singapore.
(475 words)
Friday, August 10, 2007
If You Were Them (Teenager : Teen Drug Use and teen Drinking)
Response of:
http://www.helpyourteens.com/teen_drug_use_and_teen_drinking.html
Term 3 - Blog 1
I would like to share my views regarding the review written by P.U.R.E, an organization working in the field of teen problems.
Summarizing the article, the writer writes that the best way for parents to encounter with drugs and drinking problem is by seeking help from the professionals. In the earlier part of the essay, he mentions the possible causes of it and then he moves on with explaining how momentous the parents' first step is. Then, he concluded the essay by giving his advices, such as sending the teen straight away to a boarding school and residential treatment centre.
And now, in this article I would like to highlight the last point of his essay. Yes, 'sending the teen straight away to a boarding school'. Frankly speaking, I was a bit shocked and disappointed on hearing his opinions.
In my opinion, we must consider the feelings of the victims. Most of the victims that happen to be addicted must be mentally unstable. Hence, it is very crucial to ensure the stability of the mental condition of the victims to avoid things that we would not even dare to contemplate, like suicide for example. As such, by sending the teen to boarding school might give him or her the impression that they are not longer wanted by the family.
Let's try to think from their points of view.
Facing this kind of problem is not an easy burden for human being, moreover for teens. It is not impossible that they would think that everyone is despising them, all people around them hate them, and people who loved them don’t want them anymore. By so, sending them to places away from home, like boarding school, will only verify their ridiculous thought that they are no longer wanted. At this point of moments, could you imagine their feeling?
As a solution, I believe that the best medicine is love. Parents themselves are the ones and only helpers that they need. In my opinion, they should be the one who step up. They should accept the situation and condition, don’t blame the child, and then ask for a warm chat from heart to heart. “Together” is the only way that they may find the ‘ending’, the happy ‘ending’.
If you were them, what would you do when you are trapped alone in the middle of people despising you, giving you no chance to prove you are not that bad?
Wouldn't it be nice if you could ask for someone who loves you to stay beside you?
(423 words)
http://www.helpyourteens.com/teen_drug_use_and_teen_drinking.html
Term 3 - Blog 1
I would like to share my views regarding the review written by P.U.R.E, an organization working in the field of teen problems.
Summarizing the article, the writer writes that the best way for parents to encounter with drugs and drinking problem is by seeking help from the professionals. In the earlier part of the essay, he mentions the possible causes of it and then he moves on with explaining how momentous the parents' first step is. Then, he concluded the essay by giving his advices, such as sending the teen straight away to a boarding school and residential treatment centre.
And now, in this article I would like to highlight the last point of his essay. Yes, 'sending the teen straight away to a boarding school'. Frankly speaking, I was a bit shocked and disappointed on hearing his opinions.
In my opinion, we must consider the feelings of the victims. Most of the victims that happen to be addicted must be mentally unstable. Hence, it is very crucial to ensure the stability of the mental condition of the victims to avoid things that we would not even dare to contemplate, like suicide for example. As such, by sending the teen to boarding school might give him or her the impression that they are not longer wanted by the family.
Let's try to think from their points of view.
Facing this kind of problem is not an easy burden for human being, moreover for teens. It is not impossible that they would think that everyone is despising them, all people around them hate them, and people who loved them don’t want them anymore. By so, sending them to places away from home, like boarding school, will only verify their ridiculous thought that they are no longer wanted. At this point of moments, could you imagine their feeling?
As a solution, I believe that the best medicine is love. Parents themselves are the ones and only helpers that they need. In my opinion, they should be the one who step up. They should accept the situation and condition, don’t blame the child, and then ask for a warm chat from heart to heart. “Together” is the only way that they may find the ‘ending’, the happy ‘ending’.
If you were them, what would you do when you are trapped alone in the middle of people despising you, giving you no chance to prove you are not that bad?
Wouldn't it be nice if you could ask for someone who loves you to stay beside you?
(423 words)
Thursday, May 3, 2007
Never Thought of It Before (Educational : Happiness Lessons)
Response of: http://www.bbc.co.uk/ouch/columnists/julia/060306_index.shtml
Term 2 - Blog 2.
The article is about the idea of applying happiness lessons in school. The representative of National Union of Teachers pleaded that lessons about how to cope with daily problems where pupils could also have fun would be a magnificent idea.
What do I think?
Amazing idea!
In my opinion, the main purpose of school is to prepare children and youngsters for their future life. And inevitably in life, problems will occur and they will have to face it without parents or teachers to lead them. At that time, I believe they will have trouble facing it as they just began to grow up as adults and they will have depression and no one to help them. So, experiences in school will be really helpful. School is the miniature of life. In this stage, students will also face some not very serious trouble but at this point of time they have the teachers to support them. And, I think it will be very good to have happiness lessons as it can encourage the teachers to bind more and help the students. And by that, students will be more prepared to face their future.
Stupendous thought!
One of the major problems in daily school today is the case of bullying. In my observation, it happens when a student have pressure and don’t know how to release it. Well, I also don’t know how to really overcome pressure. I believe this idea would be able to help us solving bullying problem. Students will know more how to handle pressure; pressure from their peers, pressure from parents, pressure from teachers, and pressure from tests. And by that, the effectivity of learning in school will increase.
Splendid creativity!
Some might argue that this lesson will only make the crowded school time-table become even more crowded. But, I disagree. OK, it's true that the school time-table is already crowded, but I think it won't make any big difference in the crowdyness as it is already crowded. Also, one of the outcomes expectation of this lesson is to make students become able to cope with the crowded time-table.
I can’t wait to see this marvelous idea to be applied in my school. I can’t imagine asking my friend,” What do we have for the next period?” and he says, “Happiness lessons. I can’t wait; I hope the teacher is not sick.” School will also be more than just a testing factory, but a factory that can produce future leaders for the world. Auspicium Melioris Aevi. I am looking forward to it.
( 423 words)
Term 2 - Blog 2.
The article is about the idea of applying happiness lessons in school. The representative of National Union of Teachers pleaded that lessons about how to cope with daily problems where pupils could also have fun would be a magnificent idea.
What do I think?
Amazing idea!
In my opinion, the main purpose of school is to prepare children and youngsters for their future life. And inevitably in life, problems will occur and they will have to face it without parents or teachers to lead them. At that time, I believe they will have trouble facing it as they just began to grow up as adults and they will have depression and no one to help them. So, experiences in school will be really helpful. School is the miniature of life. In this stage, students will also face some not very serious trouble but at this point of time they have the teachers to support them. And, I think it will be very good to have happiness lessons as it can encourage the teachers to bind more and help the students. And by that, students will be more prepared to face their future.
Stupendous thought!
One of the major problems in daily school today is the case of bullying. In my observation, it happens when a student have pressure and don’t know how to release it. Well, I also don’t know how to really overcome pressure. I believe this idea would be able to help us solving bullying problem. Students will know more how to handle pressure; pressure from their peers, pressure from parents, pressure from teachers, and pressure from tests. And by that, the effectivity of learning in school will increase.
Splendid creativity!
Some might argue that this lesson will only make the crowded school time-table become even more crowded. But, I disagree. OK, it's true that the school time-table is already crowded, but I think it won't make any big difference in the crowdyness as it is already crowded. Also, one of the outcomes expectation of this lesson is to make students become able to cope with the crowded time-table.
I can’t wait to see this marvelous idea to be applied in my school. I can’t imagine asking my friend,” What do we have for the next period?” and he says, “Happiness lessons. I can’t wait; I hope the teacher is not sick.” School will also be more than just a testing factory, but a factory that can produce future leaders for the world. Auspicium Melioris Aevi. I am looking forward to it.
( 423 words)
Wednesday, May 2, 2007
Think About It Again (Environmental: Animal Rights)
Response of: http://www.bbc.co.uk/ouch/columnists/julia/060306_index.shtml
Term 2 - Blog 1.
This is my response on the article written by Julia Kite about animal testing. After I spent some time to think, think, and think, I decided that I agree with her, support it. And here, I would like to share my views about animal testing.
Firstly, let me define the term "Animal testing". "Animal testing" is an experiment done for human benefits by using animals as guinea pigs. Since a long time ago, this issue has become one of the most popular issues to be talked about. The people themselves have been divided into two sides; the pros who claim that the benefits of animal testing are undeniably enormous, while the cons question about the value of the animals.
There are two most significant points I want to emphasize on my reflection about the current issue this time; the benefits we have acquired from it and the value of human.
When I browsed the Internet looking for the benefits of animal rights, I have found hundreds of them. The discovery of migraines, the shocking fact that trans-fat was bad, and many others benefits were brought to the scene due to animal testing. Thanks to it, millions of lives are saved. We gain the cure for the incurable diseases, new knowledge about the world that we need to survive longer in this wild world, and prevent our children from suffering.
Now that all of us have agreed that animal testing has brought a lot of benefits for us, how about the rights of the animals themselves? Is it that because you suffer somebody else has to suffer? No! It’s not that they have to suffer because we suffer, it is that in this cruel world we cannot deny that somebody has to suffer and we choose them as there’s not much difference for the chicken, to end up in a fast-food restaurant or a science lab, but it do make a big difference for us.
Imagine you‘re trapped in a condition like this. You’re alone trapped in a jungle, facing a lion right in front of your eye. You had a gun in your hand and the lion was ready to attack you! Will you hesitate to pull out the trigger of the gun? I believe you will answer no. This explains that deep inside ourselves we realized that we are more important. If they don’t test the products to animals, then they will have to directly sell the products to the market, and if so who will suffer?
Think about it again.
At first when I heard about this issue, I directly thought that animal testing is bad, we must stop it. But, after I think about it again I reached to my conclusion, animal testing must strive on, at least until we find a better way of protecting us from side-effect danger. Yes, I know it’s cruel. Yes, I agree it’s heart-wrenching. But, you don’t want to see your 5-year old daughter suffering unnecessarily, don't you?
Term 2 - Blog 1.
This is my response on the article written by Julia Kite about animal testing. After I spent some time to think, think, and think, I decided that I agree with her, support it. And here, I would like to share my views about animal testing.
Firstly, let me define the term "Animal testing". "Animal testing" is an experiment done for human benefits by using animals as guinea pigs. Since a long time ago, this issue has become one of the most popular issues to be talked about. The people themselves have been divided into two sides; the pros who claim that the benefits of animal testing are undeniably enormous, while the cons question about the value of the animals.
There are two most significant points I want to emphasize on my reflection about the current issue this time; the benefits we have acquired from it and the value of human.
When I browsed the Internet looking for the benefits of animal rights, I have found hundreds of them. The discovery of migraines, the shocking fact that trans-fat was bad, and many others benefits were brought to the scene due to animal testing. Thanks to it, millions of lives are saved. We gain the cure for the incurable diseases, new knowledge about the world that we need to survive longer in this wild world, and prevent our children from suffering.
Now that all of us have agreed that animal testing has brought a lot of benefits for us, how about the rights of the animals themselves? Is it that because you suffer somebody else has to suffer? No! It’s not that they have to suffer because we suffer, it is that in this cruel world we cannot deny that somebody has to suffer and we choose them as there’s not much difference for the chicken, to end up in a fast-food restaurant or a science lab, but it do make a big difference for us.
Imagine you‘re trapped in a condition like this. You’re alone trapped in a jungle, facing a lion right in front of your eye. You had a gun in your hand and the lion was ready to attack you! Will you hesitate to pull out the trigger of the gun? I believe you will answer no. This explains that deep inside ourselves we realized that we are more important. If they don’t test the products to animals, then they will have to directly sell the products to the market, and if so who will suffer?
Think about it again.
At first when I heard about this issue, I directly thought that animal testing is bad, we must stop it. But, after I think about it again I reached to my conclusion, animal testing must strive on, at least until we find a better way of protecting us from side-effect danger. Yes, I know it’s cruel. Yes, I agree it’s heart-wrenching. But, you don’t want to see your 5-year old daughter suffering unnecessarily, don't you?
(497 words)
Tuesday, February 27, 2007
Gun for the Robber (Politics: Iran Nuclear Problem)
Response of: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/6351137.stm
I disagree to a large extent about the Iran decision to develop the nuclear power but I also think its decision is reasonable. Why?
First of all, let me elaborate the situation first. Recently, Iran has been doing research and development in nuclear power. This development had lead to unsafe feeling to other nations, which currently are trying to get help from the United Nations to stop it. Their worry is because as most of us already know nuclear power can also lead to a very dangerous weapon, the same weapon the United State used to force Japan to surrender in the World War II. But on the other hand, Iraq claimed that their research was only for nuclear power, not nuclear weapon. So, currently the United Nations is still trying to find a way by exhibiting conferences.
Why does Iran interested in nuclear power?
Based on my knowledge, Iran was one of the world's richest oil owners. So, it wasn't a poor country. But recently, it's economy condition is getting worse. The oil prices dropped, number of unemployment increased, and so on. So as the basic human habit, we also try to find someone to be blamed under critical times; and that's what they do. Who is the man? President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. And he, being the person in the pressure, decided to find an alternative way to increase its economy. Furthermore, there is also an invisible threat from outside as numbers of Muslim countries has been attacked recently.
So, why do I disagree with its movement?
Seeing from its motives and history, it is not impossible with a country with that background to continue to the further step to develop and use nuclear weapons if the pressure keeps increasing. Furthermore, once they have developed the weapons, it will be very hard for the other countries to fight back in case of war and number of casualties will be very high. Even if the war doesn't happen, there will still be an unsafe feeling among the other nations, like what happening today.
But, how about the 'trust'? They promised they would only develop nuclear power not nuclear weapons and we had the United Nations to make sure they wouldn't break the law.
Then, the condition is like this. A bank robber came into a bank and we, the customers, managed to seize him before he did anything because we knew he had a bad intention and he was a carrying a gun. And, there was also a security guard there. He asked for his gun back and promised he wouldn't do anything. Would you give it?
The security guard represented the United Nations. If we had given it back, it's not impossible that he would have shot the guard and then he could rob the bank. Maybe he had promise, but who know we could trust him. Maybe Iran had promised, but who know we can trust it?
I disagree to a large extent about the Iran decision to develop the nuclear power but I also think its decision is reasonable. Why?
First of all, let me elaborate the situation first. Recently, Iran has been doing research and development in nuclear power. This development had lead to unsafe feeling to other nations, which currently are trying to get help from the United Nations to stop it. Their worry is because as most of us already know nuclear power can also lead to a very dangerous weapon, the same weapon the United State used to force Japan to surrender in the World War II. But on the other hand, Iraq claimed that their research was only for nuclear power, not nuclear weapon. So, currently the United Nations is still trying to find a way by exhibiting conferences.
Why does Iran interested in nuclear power?
Based on my knowledge, Iran was one of the world's richest oil owners. So, it wasn't a poor country. But recently, it's economy condition is getting worse. The oil prices dropped, number of unemployment increased, and so on. So as the basic human habit, we also try to find someone to be blamed under critical times; and that's what they do. Who is the man? President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. And he, being the person in the pressure, decided to find an alternative way to increase its economy. Furthermore, there is also an invisible threat from outside as numbers of Muslim countries has been attacked recently.
So, why do I disagree with its movement?
Seeing from its motives and history, it is not impossible with a country with that background to continue to the further step to develop and use nuclear weapons if the pressure keeps increasing. Furthermore, once they have developed the weapons, it will be very hard for the other countries to fight back in case of war and number of casualties will be very high. Even if the war doesn't happen, there will still be an unsafe feeling among the other nations, like what happening today.
But, how about the 'trust'? They promised they would only develop nuclear power not nuclear weapons and we had the United Nations to make sure they wouldn't break the law.
Then, the condition is like this. A bank robber came into a bank and we, the customers, managed to seize him before he did anything because we knew he had a bad intention and he was a carrying a gun. And, there was also a security guard there. He asked for his gun back and promised he wouldn't do anything. Would you give it?
The security guard represented the United Nations. If we had given it back, it's not impossible that he would have shot the guard and then he could rob the bank. Maybe he had promise, but who know we could trust him. Maybe Iran had promised, but who know we can trust it?
(490 words)
Sunday, February 4, 2007
A Letter 4 You (Environment: "Flood in Jakarta")
Response of : "http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/2757399.stm"
"Flood...
It was only last year, when you swallowed more than 60 friends of mine..
Flood...
It was just last month, when you forced my brothers to left their homes...
And now,
You destroy my country's heart...
Oh my dearest son,
Will you teach me how to calm your mind?
Will you give me time to restore my sister??"
Dear friends,
It was one sunny day, when I decided to read the newspaper to feed my soul. But, I didn't get what I wanted. I got despair instead of the enjoyment I expected when I read about this news. But, I know my despair is not the end. And, that's why now I'm here writing to you, to invite you to help them, maybe 'them' is not the appropriate word, 'us' is better, to invite you to help 'us'.
I can't find a word to describe my feelings regarding the issue. I felt lucky that it didn't happen to me when I first knew about it. But now, when I have realized it's my own country, my heart is bashed. I feel sad, miserable, and confused. I realize it can also happen to us at any time without any notice. And I want you to realize it too.
The condition is not good and it is not getting any better. The number of victims is increasing due to the lack of present help. They are beginning to fall sick, hungry, and desperate. I can tell that the aid is too slow. The people are blaming the government for their lack of control in deforestation and corruption. The government is too busy with its administrative processes. The victims need help now; it's not tomorrow, now!
But, who should help? The answers is simple, it's us. Why should we help? We 're in the same community. We are all living on the same planet called Earth. They are the same with us. They don't want it to happen to them. The flood can happen to anyone, including to you and me. What will you do when it happen to you? Help them to give them a reason to help you in the future. Extend your hand they need it now.
Just pick one of those easy steps and we can make a big difference:
"Flood...
It was only last year, when you swallowed more than 60 friends of mine..
Flood...
It was just last month, when you forced my brothers to left their homes...
And now,
You destroy my country's heart...
Oh my dearest son,
Will you teach me how to calm your mind?
Will you give me time to restore my sister??"
Dear friends,
It was one sunny day, when I decided to read the newspaper to feed my soul. But, I didn't get what I wanted. I got despair instead of the enjoyment I expected when I read about this news. But, I know my despair is not the end. And, that's why now I'm here writing to you, to invite you to help them, maybe 'them' is not the appropriate word, 'us' is better, to invite you to help 'us'.
I can't find a word to describe my feelings regarding the issue. I felt lucky that it didn't happen to me when I first knew about it. But now, when I have realized it's my own country, my heart is bashed. I feel sad, miserable, and confused. I realize it can also happen to us at any time without any notice. And I want you to realize it too.
The condition is not good and it is not getting any better. The number of victims is increasing due to the lack of present help. They are beginning to fall sick, hungry, and desperate. I can tell that the aid is too slow. The people are blaming the government for their lack of control in deforestation and corruption. The government is too busy with its administrative processes. The victims need help now; it's not tomorrow, now!
But, who should help? The answers is simple, it's us. Why should we help? We 're in the same community. We are all living on the same planet called Earth. They are the same with us. They don't want it to happen to them. The flood can happen to anyone, including to you and me. What will you do when it happen to you? Help them to give them a reason to help you in the future. Extend your hand they need it now.
Just pick one of those easy steps and we can make a big difference:
- Volunteer yourself to deliver the supply and donation.
- Donate your money through charity organization.
- Invite your friends to join the movement.
Thank you for your time. Thank you for your help. I will be waiting for the results. Comments are welcomed.
Yours sincerely,
tks
(441 words)
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