Death Penalty #3

There are various aspects in a capital case that are designed to protect the rights of the accused. For example, the initial step in a criminal prosecution when the defendant is able to make a plea. The defendant has the opportunity to speak honestly and openly. Whatever they may plea, will be recorded accurately so that there are no misunderstandings. The preliminary hearing also protects the rights of the accused because they examine the evidence to see if it is sufficient enough.  A defendant cannot be convicted if there is minimal evidence; this step helps to understand the evidence that is being used against the defendant. Furthermore, the grand jury ultimately decides if the indictments should be issued.  The juries are decided in a way to eliminate biases. The defendant is given a fair and equal; trial. All these steps help to make sure that only the guilty are convicted. I believe this system is successful because it thoroughly goes through all the evidence. In addition, the jurors decide the sentence meaning that the defendant is receiving a fair trial. Although these steps are sufficient, I believe that there is always something else that can be done in order to guarantee that only the guilty are convicted. In this case, it may be re-examining the evidence even more times. The system needs to ensure that only the guilty are convicted.

I was shocked by the various methods that are used for the death sentence. Some people discuss the death sentence very casually. However, I do not think they realize what exactly the death penalty, itself, involved. While I believe many are cruel and unusual, I believe the most humane is the lethal injection. There are no gun shots, nor electric chair. Rather, two needles (one is a back-up) are then inserted into usable veins, usually in the inmate’s arms. Out of the 38 states which allow the death penalty, 37 use this technique. I believe this proves that it is the most human;  it is widely accepted. To be completely honest, I believe that all the other techniques including hanging, firing squad, electrocution, and gas chamber should be considered cruel and unusual punishments. I had no idea that these were the different techniques and I believe they are violation of the 8th amendment. Specifically, I believe the gas chamber is one of the worst. It reminds me of the idea of the ways Jews were executed in the Nazi camps. The hanging also really strikes me as being cruel and unusual. It reminds me of pictures I have seen from slavery in history class.  I think that America can rise above this; we can do better than this.

I learned that 14 states are currently using the death penalty.  One of the statistics that struck me was that out of 3264, 1099 were actually executed. In other words, while over 70% of states allow a death sentence, many have barely used it. For example, Colorado, Idaho, New Mexico, South Dakota and more only have issued the death penalty once. In Kansas and New Hampshire, it has not been used at all. In several regions, all of the states allow the death penalty. However, bordering states of North Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, and Michigan do not allow the death penalty. In addition, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, and Rhode Island do not allow the death penalty. This becomes an issue of justice. If a defendant happens to have committed the crime in one of the 14 states that does not allow the death penalty, their sentence is not equal to those who are in a different state. That being said, every crime is different and must be examined individually. The death penalty does vary, but I believe that there should remain consistency throughout all the states.

This information impacts what I have just learned because there are several changes. For instance, now there are 15 states who do not use the death penalty. It is interesting to see that there was steady increase of executions from 1976-1993. However, from 1994 to 2010, there has been several increase and decreased. The death penalty was used the most in 1999 with a total of 98 executions. That was over 10 years ago, and since then there has not been nearly as many.  I was shocked that over 75% of the murder victims in cases resulting  inexecution were white, even though nationally only 50% of murder victims generally are white. This demonstrates the idea that race does influence the sentence. However, in the race of the defendant executed, it remains relatively similar among white and blacks.  There have been 266 more white executions than black which appears as a relatively small difference to me. It concerns me that 139 defendants were placed on death row when they were innocent. However, I learned that many of these inmates who were innocent is based of of legal technicalities. In addition, the fact that they were released shows that once someone is on death row, it is not the end all, be all. The system was able to find the innocent people and release them.  Nevertheless, I am sure there are currently defendants that are also innocent. Since 1994, public support has decreased as the May 2006 Gallup Poll found that overall support of the death penalty was 65%. I believe that Death Penalty Information has significant information to be examined. It provides information worth knowing and I believe it presents the facts to reveal how the death penalty support has decreased and that it should not be used. Furthermore, there a lot of innocent people who have been released from death row.

Death Penalty #1

I believe that Clifford Boggess should have been executed.  It is undeniable that Boggess lived an extremely difficult childhood consisting of unstable familial relationships. He did not have it easy. Some may argue that Boggess's abuse caused him great distress. While this is true, it is untrue to say that the emotional stress he faced led him to commit the crime. He even admits that he was completely aware during the time of both murders. If he was psychologically insane, then he would not have been able to admit that he knew exactly what he was doing. He knew what he was doing was wrong. Furthermore, both of his murders were extremely violent and brutal. Once the victim was already dead, Boggess continued to act aggressively. Boggess did not just kill once; he killed twice.  I believe that people do have the ability to change after a crime of this sort. However, I believe that Boggess did not change. He claims that he has changed as a Christian and an artist, but I believe that he is masking is true self. Boggess talks very openly of his murders. While this demonstrates his honesty, the graphic images he conveys are very gruesome. He talks very briefly of the guilt he feels and shows little remorse. It is as if he feels that he is better than everyone and had the right to do what he did. In addition, he always appears very cheerful which makes me feel that his talk of being  apologetic to the families is an act. Boggess did not deserve to live a life in the prison nor out of prison. He asserts that he is a better person now. Still, I believe strongly that his life has nor value. He is saying things and acting in certain ways that people want to hear.  It is tough to determine whether the victims' families got justice after Boggess was executed because I was not in their same position. I believe that the only people who can say whether or not they feel that justice was served by executing Boggess is the victim's family. According the video, they appeared relieved that he was no longer living. While they will never get their loved ones back, they do not have to feel any sense of threat. They deserve to feel safe after such a terrible crime has been committed.

Bullying

1. Growing up, we are told never to bully because it is not right; we will be given consequences. After looking closely at bullying, I am most appalled by the story of Jamie Nabozny. It concerns me that most of the administrators did not do their job in protecting the welfare of Jamie. Up until the court case, the reactions of the majority of the administrators went against everything that we have learned. There was no consequences for the students as they said "boys will be boys." When Jamie's case was brought to court, he won the case; he won a lot of money. However, was justice really served? Although his bruises have healed from the bullies, I cannot even imagine the mental damage that he is still going through. While he may feel some emotional pain, his perseverance sticks out to me them most. Despite his mistreatment, he never gave up on his life. He continues to talk to students about his story in an effort to prevent bullying in schools. This demonstrates his character; he is someone who cares about the future of students who may face bullying.
2. Case: United States v. Lori Drew.
   In class, we read an article about United States v. Lori Drew. Drew created a fake online profile and used it to constantly harass Megan Meier; as a result of the bullying, Meier committed suicide. Initially Drew was charged of conspiracy, fraudulent use of the Internet, and providing face facts to MySpace. However, she was released and charged were dropped. I learned that after this incident, the state of Missouri quickly changed its harassment law to also include bullying through the Internet; it was approved on May 16, 2008. I feel that the change of the law is significant because it makes harassment cover not only text or phone calls, but also computers, text messages, and other electronic devices.  Missouri has even helped alter Califronia’s code which now encourages schools to develop potential solutions, activities, and problems that will decrease bullying.  This is important as it helps to alleviate bullying everywhere. In addition, the federal Megan Meier Cyberbullying Prevention Act was introduced to Congress on April 2, 2009.  It has not been passed yet, but it is designed to set a federal standard for the definition of cyberbullying. While this may be general, it can help to minimize more harmful language and behavior through the use of the web. Although bullying cases still occur all around the world, the laws help spread the message that bullying in unacceptable. By not creating any laws to help decrease bullying, we are condoning bullying; we are not doing anything to help it.
3. I feel that bullying is not a problem at DHS because when I walk through the halls of the school, I rarely see bullying. On the other hand, it is not like I am looking for it either.  When I learned that 160,000 United States students skip school to avoid being bullied, I feel that the chances are high that it is occurring at our school. I feel that many people do not recognize certain behaviors as bullying and therefore, continue the same behaviors through high school. 
4. From a legal standpoint, many of the laws created do help prevent bullying to a certain degree. However, I feel that the laws are only half of it. Spreading awareness and showing that we are all connected through a bond helps to unite students. I feel that from "Challenge Day," the activities planned to do this. I feel that it is successful because it shows students first hand the causes of their actions, while also offering a solution to bring us all together. I have seen the "Challenge Day" on Oprah several years ago and I feel that it is successful. While some may argue that students will only behave in a certain way when there are cameras around, I feel that the emotions, apologies, and unity is all authentic.  These types of workshops help to get all the students involved in a different way than the laws and other presentations do.  The "Challenge Day" is something that all schools should consider because there are several benefits. In fact, after Oprah showed the "Challenge Day" years ago, they did another show in which they talked to the students. They were genuine and the program really did impact the students positively.  In peer helping a few years ago, we did one of the same activities as "Challenge Day"; we did the one where if the statement was applicable to us, to cross the line. It helped to show how many similarities we have among one another and it brought our groups even closer.

"The Help" final entry

The opportunity to read "The Help" for class was extremely rewarding for me. Despite my homework load, I was able to find time to read this novel. It was time that I looked forward to because I was immediately drawn in to the novel.  I enjoyed taking the time to enjoy the prose while also understanding the content. I was expecting this novel to take me at least a few months to finish. However, I finished "The Help" in less than a month because I could not put the book down. It was extremely intriguing, moving, exciting, and upsetting to read. From the novel, in addition to learning many lessons about life in general,  I was able to understand how difficult life was for these maids at this time. They went through terrible situations everyday. Yet, they still had to  keep their heads high and treat the women with respect. I have no experience that could even compare to what these women went through. However, I was able to share in many of the same emotions that the characters felt. The novel taught me to recognize that there are more similarities in people than differences. While Aibileen and Miss Skeeter may seem different from one another, they are able to connect on many levels.  They can look past skin color; they recognize how much they have in common. I feel that the purpose of "The Help" was for everyone to realize that we are just two people. There is not a lot that separates us. I had originally assumed that there are so many differences between myself and my peers. However,  I can now see by looking just a little more closely, how similar we are. The novel helped illuminate the idea that we are all connected in some way. We should recognize this bond instead of emphasizing a difference.

"The Help" entry five

"The Help" ends with Aibileen as the narrator for the final chapter. As she leaves Miss Leefolts house, she knows she will not be returning. She is extremely emotional because she knows how much she will miss Mae Mobley. However, at the same time she feels free. She recognizes that she will not be able to work for another white women, but she feels that she should continue writing. To herself, she says "Maybe I ought to keep writing, not just for the paper, but for something else, about all the people I know and the things I see and done. Maybe I ain't too old to start over, I think and laygh and cry at the same time at this" (444). This realizes that she feels she can start a new type of life. She is free from her former life of serving others. It is her time and place to do something for herself. Whether that means writing of her daily experiences and observations or finding work in a completely different field, it is up to her. In her career as as a maid, she has been told what to do. However, it is now her time to decide what she wants to do. I am left feeling that Aibileen has lived a life dedicated to the good of others. Yet, she is hopeful. Her life is not over. Conversely, it is now her time to determine what is significant to her.

"The Help" entry four

Through the chaos of "Help" being released and available to read, I am moved by the amount of selflessness that both Miss Skeeter, Aibileen, and Minny possess. When Miss Skeeter reveals that she has been offered a job in New York from Miss Stein at Harper's Magazine,  she explains that she cannot possibly take the job. She knows things are getting really bad with the book and does not want to leave Aibileen and Minny in a bad position. Yet, it Aibileen and Minny who are the ones encouraging her to to take the job. They remind her that she has been dreaming of this job and that there is nothing holding her back. It is the courage she gains from both Aibileen and Minny that enables her to say "I'm going. I am going to New York" (425).  As the novel comes to a close, I am starting to realize the amount of respect that Miss Skeeter, Aibileen, and Minny have for one another. Despite the extremely tough and dangerous times, they stay true to who they are. They are there for one another for both the highest and lowest points of the process of  the creating "Help." It is a rare relationship to have had developed, especially in the South at this time, yet it is pure. With the upcoming controversies on their book on the rise, they will do what they know is right.

"The Help" entry three

After the chaotic months and months of putting together interviews, the copies of the manuscripts have been sent to the editor, Miss Stein. Miss Skeeter received a phone call from Miss Stein saying that they were going to publish the interviews into a book. Through the interviews, the maids have shared intimate details of what it has been like working for a white woman and their family. Now that the novel is being released, I am most struck by Aibileen and her feelings on the release. She is the first maid who agrees to be interviews and serves as a main contributor to receiving assistance from other maids. Although she is excited, she is also nervous for the novel to be released to the public. She has the potential to lose so much, yet she feels like she has done her part in sharing her story and opinions. I am most struck about the fact that while she constantly feels disrespected by Miss Leefolt, her relationships with the children are genuine. She feels like the mother to these children; she loves them and knows how special they are. When she reflects upon the fact that others may realize that she is one of the interviews, she may never be allowed to work for a white woman again. However, this is not what concerns her the most. Rather,  she realizes that "...After the book come out, if folks find out it was us, I probably never get to see these kids again" (390). This illustrates how much she cares for the well being of the children. She is terrified to lose them and the thought of never seeing them again causes her anguish. She wonders who will be there for the children. I find this to be very striking; Aibileen's work is much more than just doing domestic responsibilities and being a caretaker. It is not her role to develop close relationships with the children. Yet, she does which displays her capacity for love and compassion in life.