What should Virginia have done before giving editor Norman $500,000?

In the utopian fiction novel, In His Steps by Charles Sheldon, a rich, popular, and prosperous newspaper man, Edward Norman, falls into near bankruptcy after making a pledge to do what Jesus would do. Edward Norman does not, in fact, in my opinion, do what Jesus would do. He acts stupidly (see the footnote for greater information) by refusing to advertise anymore for the tobacco and beer industries and he also decides he will not cover any of the subjectively “un-godly” important news or gossip. He quickly reaps the consequences of making such an action and loses a great deal of subscribers and is on the verge of bankruptcy when he pleads his case to a rich young heiress named Virginia Page. Virginia had been feeling rather conflicted about what is to be done with her inherited funds, as she had also taken the pledge to do as Jesus would do. She felt that it was wrong for her to be possession of such a great deal of wealth, and was unsure of “What Jesus Would Do” in her situation.

So, when editor Edward Norman pleaded his case to young Virginia Page, she readily agrees to give him $500, 000 (adjusted for inflation, this number would be equivalent to millions in today’s dollar).

In this essay, I will present my opinion on what Virginia should have done before giving Edward Norman $500, 000.

First of all, we can well see that Norman has a failing business. When one goes from a state of great wealth, to one of poverty in a relatively short amount of time, you know that there is a problem that must be resolved.

So, what was the problem?

The problem was not that Norman didn’t have the original funds to make the newspaper work; he was previously a very wealthy man. No, the problem was in his business plan. It was that his business plan was a failure.

Thus, the first thing Virginia should have done was to investigate his business plan, see that it was an obvious failure, and help him to design a successful business plan.

As it turns out, Edward did have a new business plan in mind. But Virginia didn’t know that. For all she knew, she could have been wasting a great deal of money that could have done a lot of good for the poor people of her area.

Footnote:

Some of you may be wondering why I think that Norman acted stupidly by quitting his advertising for the beer and tobacco industries and by not covering any of the subjectively ungodly important news or gossip.

First of all, while I disagree with his ideology that the Bible says that it would be wrong to advertise for the beer and tobacco industries, if one believes that God is telling them to do so, then one should definitely do as one feels led.

However, Editor Norman earned almost all of his income through those advertisements and through coverage of those “ungodly” reports.

I would argue that instead of going bankrupt, Norman should have sold his business and with his life savings (which were very large) start a new (subjectively) more “godly” one.

Should the Driving Age Be Raised To 21?

Thanks to modern means of transportation, we can now meet people we would never have met, see more people more often, and conduct business with less cost with greater ease.

Previously, the driving age limit in parts of the US has been 16 years of age. However, some are contemplating the idea of raising the driving age to 21. This essay will give three reasons for why the enforcement of this idea would be ideological:

1. Driving capability and trustworthiness is not a matter of age, it is a matter of experience and maturity.
2. To raise the driving age to 21 would mean that new drivers would be the ones with the potential to use mind-altering substances.
3. It puts young men and women trying to obtain a job or start a business at a disadvantage.

The first reason that the driving age should not be raised to 21 is that driving capability and trustworthiness is not a matter of age, it is a matter of experience and maturity.  It doesn’t matter how old you are.

The second reason that the driving age should not be raised to 21 is that new drivers would be the ones with the potential to use mind-altering substances. At age 21, they have full control on what and whether they drink, obtain drugs, and/or smoke. A driver of age 16 actually has the potential to be a safer driver due the fact that that driver cannot obtain those substances as easily.

The third reason that the driving age should not be raised to 21 is that it puts young men and women trying to obtain a job or start a business at a disadvantage. The younger generation will have to rely on their parents or friends who are older than 21 to take them to their jobs. Not wanting to go through the hassle, many will not bother and the economy will suffer as a result.

In conclusion, the driving age should not be raised to 21 because:

1. Driving capability and trustworthiness is not a matter of age, it is a matter of experience and maturity.
2. To raise the driving age to 21 would mean that new drivers would be the ones with the potential to use mind-altering substances.
3. It puts young men and women trying to obtain a job or start a business at a disadvantage.

If you care about the economy, the safety of our roads, and the lives of the next generation, do not support the idea to raise the driving limit. Right now, please comment how you think we can prevent the government from enforcing this decision.

Thank you.

For you, my readers’ information, this was a persuasive essay assignment.

I showed great emotion in this essay; however, though I would like to hear your thoughts on how we can prevent the enforcement of such an idea, my conclusion was merely part of my assignment.

The call to action (action step) was also part of my essay, and it was supposed to make you start doing something about your newly acquired information.

“Missing Chapter” From ‘The War of The Worlds’

I was assigned by my English curriculum to write a chapter that the author could have written and that could have been in a science fiction novel called The War of the Worlds, but instead decided that he didn’t want to include it. The novel was written by H. G. Wells, one of the first early sci-fi novelists. As a bit of context, Wells had a rather despairing life, which could explain the rather depressing and despairing feel throughout much of the book.

I inserted a paragraph before and after my writing to introduce the story and also help you to find your spot in the book should you chose to read the entire book. These paragraphs are underlined.

Well, here is the missing chapter from The War of the Worlds (starting three paragraphs in to chapter thirteen of book one):

It would seem that these giants spent the earlier part of the afternoon in going to and fro, transferring everything from the second and third cylinders–the second in Addlestone Golf Links and the third at Pyrford–to their original pit on Horsell Common. Over that, above the blackened heather and ruined buildings that stretched far and wide, stood one as sentinel, while the rest abandoned their vast fighting-machines and descended into the pit. They were hard at work there far into the night, and the towering pillar of dense green smoke that rose therefrom could be seen from the hills about Merrow, and even, it is said, from Banstead and Epsom Downs.

That is when I decided that if anything was ever to be done, it must be done now. What with the Martians compiling their forces and more coming yet, I truly believed that we may never again get another chance. Annihilating the Martians was something that, aside from the chance shot that killed a Martian only hours before, seemed impossible.

I racked my brain for possibilities on how we could defeat them; by we I mean humanity at large. I wandered and paced the countryside and still came upon no ideas. I started toward the military base near where the Martian had fallen. I decided with whom else it would be best to exchange and discuss humanity’s plans about our military. As I approached the swarming militia the answer hit me as the great monster’s heat ray crashed into a house. I took off running and dodging and thrusting my way between the soldiers, and made my way to their headquarters. Perhaps it was the excitement in my eyes, or maybe the speed at which I rushed to and then past them, but for whatever reason no one – no one at all – attempted to hinder me. I burst through the tent flap and was instantly surrounded by military leaders.

“I have found it! The answer! I have figured it out!” I yelled.

“What is it? For goodness sake if you have, spit it out already!”

Unable to contain myself, I practically shook with excitement as I relayed my eutopia.

“There is one thing that our men can not stand, there is one thing that prevents our weapons from destroying their disgusting bodies, there is one thing that we need to put them back in their place –”

“Well, what it is?! Speak! Blast your eloquent speech and tell us straight what you have found!” They said impatiently.

“It is their tripod machines! Without their machines, they can not move, and it has never been recorded or observed that a Martian could fire the Heat Ray without the help of those machines!”

They exclaimed words of triumph and patted me on the back. “You have surely got something there!” They said.

“And that’s not all,” I continued, “I have reasoned that we can do better than merely dispose of the machines, we can use them too. You see, we must somehow sneak up upon the Martian tripod look-out un-aware, and then silently dispose of its operator and then quickly figure out how to use it. Then we can aim the Heat Ray at the Martians and destroy them with their own weapons!”

They again exclaimed; some yelled, one bawled. They took my ideas and turned them over through their wise minds and figured out what they believed the best course of action would be.

We wasted no time. The leaders rallied their troops and they chose which soldiers were to participate on this endeavor to save man-kind; only the very best soldiers were to come. I was also to join them.

By dusk, we had everything arranged. Fifty soldiers, four officers, the commander and myself were to go. We crept swiftly and stealthily across the scorched ground the Heat Ray had left. The trouble with it all was that there was little cover to do the destruction of the tread of their tri-pods and the deadly Heat Ray. Again, and again the Heat Ray would sweep the countryside, sometimes directly over our heads. We were extremely thankful that only three of our men were killed by that intense beam at that time.

As we approached the cylinder pit, we came to realize that there was only one look-out placed above the pit. We silently rejoiced at this wonderful discovery.

We continued to get closer and closer. Periodically, the strange green smoke would waft out of the pit.

We approached the Martian sentinel from behind. When we were within two-hundred yards, ten handpicked soldiers, the commander, and I went on while the other soldiers got into a position to fire if we should need the cover. Foolish we were to think that fifty puny guns would keep of a Martian.

We snuck up until we were only fifty yards away. We used no vocal communication for fear that the Martians might hear us (we did not know at the time the limit of their poor hearing capabilities). Now only one other soldier and I approached. We were to climb the Martian tripod’s legs and kill the Martian once we reached the top.

The soldier (I never learned his name) gripped onto the leg of the first tripod leg we came to. He immediately began climbing the sturdy, DNA-like shaped ladder. I cautiously went to the next closest leg.

My tri-pod leg was a great deal more dangerous than the soldiers leg considering that mine was partially in front of the Martian until about halfway up. Stealthily we climbed, he about ten yards higher than I, paused for a brief moment to let me catch up (and undoubtably also to catch his breath).

Higher and higher we climbed. These machines being a hundred or two feet tall gave us an amazing view of the Weybridge county area.

When we reached the top of the machine completely worn out. We came together on the platform just below where the Martian sat above on the next platform. We moved with excruciatingly slow movements which were completely necessary in order to keep from making even the slightest noise. He gestured to me to keep my gun trained on the Martian as he crept up behind it. The goal was to kill it with our cutlases to avoid even the slightest noise.

We crawled under the hood of the Martian machined so quietly the mere stretching out of our fingers sounded unexplainably loud and at every breath, every hand or knee placement, I fully expected the Martian to discover us.

Finally, we reached the desired area. Cautiously, I peeked over the edge of the platform and briefly gazed at the hideous creature which we were to exterminate. I carefully raised my rifle and gently laid it on the platform before me. It was completely loaded and if the Martian was to turn its head then I was to kill it right there and then.

The soldier lifted himself over the edge of the platform and, cutlass drawn, advanced to slay the creature. When he was only two feet away, the movement of his steps intercepted on a cord and it brought objects of some sort down beside the Martian. The alerted Martian quickly glanced at the fallen objects and just as the Martian was turning its head to see what had caused the fall, the soldier brought his sword down with incredible speed and struck the Martian a foot below the top of the Martian’s body. The Martian squealed and he brought the cutlass down a second time – then a third. Finally, satisfied, the soldier gestured for me to come. I squirmed over the edge and stretched my cramped body out to my full height. Then I walked over to where the soldier stood examining the Martian. He dragged it over to the corner of the little room and then joined me at the window which was where the Martian observed the life down below.

Now that the Martian was dealt with and the nearest living creatures were at least a hundred feet below us, we considered it okay to speak. We experimented with the controls and moved each lever forward or backward, and then returned it to its original position if it seemed to do nothing. The first movement we made jerked the tripod a step back, then we moved it back once more, then forward, and sideways. There were many levers and buttons, but it was a simple joy-stick that controlled the Martians main movements. We figured out how to raise the arms and tested firing the Heat Ray. We tried to gain as much understanding about the machine as we could before the other Martians returned. Our strange futile movements no doubt caused some curiosity among the Martians, and at the same time, alerted our fellow men below that we had taken the machine.

With each movement (which were many), the circularly shaped, dead Martian rolled hither and thither across the room. This worried us very much because if the Martian rolled out from underneath the hood, it would certainly alert the Martians below. The soldier, therefore crammed it between two square shaped, steel boxes. This touching of the creature, even though it was dead, disgusted me just as worms and insects and the like disgust young girls.

This was when the first group of Martians returned. The stress I was under at this point would have been enough to kill some faint-hearted men, no doubt the soldier felt the same. His sweat glistened on his skin as he turned the machine towards the other Martians. As I saw this, I became keenly aware of the fact that I too was perspiring greatly; it was as though a river flowed out of my skin.

I raised my heat ray towards the Martians and fired it a second too soon. The ray shot through the approaching Martian’s legs. The three Martians halted not sure what happened. I fired again at the center of the rooms where the Martian would be manning the controls. The shot exploded the left side of the Machine. The machine toppled over, but I am positive that I saw the Martian crawl away.

This time there was not mistake for the Martians they fired their Heat Ray at us and the machine shuddered upon impact as the shot shattered one of the legs. We remained vertical for a short amount, but it felt like a minute as everything moved incredibly slowly. Then we toppled over and sparks flew everywhere as the machine warped when it hit the ground. I landed on the soldier, but there is no conceivable way to explain how I survived. Surely, the fall should have killed me as it did the soldier, but for whatever reason, somehow, I survived. I crawled out from the wreckage and dashed into toward the group of soldiers that we had left earlier, but they had already run away. The Martian’s Heat Ray spoke out and patches of ground around me erupted into flames. I remember no more until I reached the shore.

The angary Martians pursued me to the shoreline and there they fired off at boats that were trying to get away from the wretched creatures. One of the rays hit a boat that was just within range. The boat erupted into flames and there is not doubt that its occupants died either from the immense heat surrounding them or the fact that they probably could not make it back to shore because it was a great distance.

I saw an abandoned boat, very small and remote, drifting down-stream; and throwing off the most of my sodden clothes, I went after it, gained it, and so escaped out of that destruction. There were no oars in the boat, but I contrived to paddle, as well as my parboiled hands would allow, down the river towards Halliford and Walton, going very tediously and continually looking behind me, as you may well understand. I followed the river, because I considered that the water gave me my best chance of escape should these giants return…continued on page 47 of The War of the Worlds.

Why Homeschooling Is Beneficial For Students

Have you ever considered how homeschooling, being a rather unconventional approach to education, affects the student? Maybe you wondered if it really was beneficial; or maybe you thought that it was something that children with less learning capability did to keep up with the other learners; or maybe you thought directly the opposite, that homeschooling was for the nerds who surpassed all their peers. Whatever the case, in this essay I will address why homeschooling is beneficial for students.

The first problem with public schooling is that teachers cannot meet the needs of every student. Where a particular student is excelling, another student may be struggling. It gets more complicated when the class is divided between those who are struggling and those who are excelling. Part of this is solved through homeschooling where it is rooted in the Agile development concept. The Agile development concept is rooted in technological advancement, but is applicable in most areas of life. It is where information (needs, wants, and solutions) is passed to and from student to teacher and it accelerates the speed at which development happens. A homeschooling parent/tutor is dedicated to the learning of just a few children, so he/she is more able to see and fix the problems each of the students face.

The second problem with public schooling is that it puts children in bad environments. It is well known that kids get bullied and are exposed to peer-pressure in school. On top of this, kids are exposed to un-healthy relationships and situations. They do, learn, and say things they otherwise wouldn’t have if they hadn’t been exposed to it in the first place. It is known that a person is the average of the five people that they spend the most time with; those five people had better be the people you want your child to become.

In homeschooling, you can solve this problem because you can choose who your kids hang out with.

A common myth about homeschooling is that they don’t socialize. That is in fact not true. Actually, I would say that one of the benefits of homeschooling is the socialization. Here is what Calvert Education has to say about this:

“ …On average, homeschoolers participate more in their community, are less sedentary, and socialize with a wider mix of adults (especially professionals) than their public school counterparts.”

It has been my experience that homeschoolers are actually more outgoing than their peers in school. Homeschoolers also have a reputation for being rather well versed and dedicated. Homeschooling also facilitates better relationships between the parents and child.

In conclusion, homeschooling is beneficial for students because it allows for personalized learning and help, reduces bad influences and environments, builds better relationships within families. 

A Ridiculous Piece of Utopian Literature

English Lesson 160

As you will all remember from my last post in which I covered several aspects of the very popular socialist utopian fiction novel Looking Backward (written by Edward Bellamy), the main character Mr. West (a man born in the 1800’s) was miraculously preserved in a vegetative sleep for over a century. I left off in my last post discussing the fallacious actions of Dr. Leete. I have now completed reading the book.

This book, as you will see if you complete reading my last post and this one, was a ridiculous piece of utopian literature. However, it amazingly inspired many people of the 18th century (the time in which the book was written) to embrace the concepts of communism. This book was a huge proponent in the rise of the communist ideology.

To bring you up to speed, Mr. West finds that he has fallen in love with Edith Leete. He then finds out that she is the grand-daughter of Mr. West’s old fiancé (the one to whom he was betrothed before he left her behind in the 19^th century). He finds that she has also been in love with him…

And so it seems that they will live happily ever after. Then he goes to sleep.

Now he wakes up…except, he is back in the 19^th century. The author now informs us that his vision of the 21^st century was all merely a dream! Mr. West goes around views his society and the class system therein to be horrendous. It is with new eyes that he lectures and rebukes the men of the day on his enlightenment and the glory that the future can hold. However, the men reject him and are violent toward him – calling him names. Then, all of sudden…

He wakes up. Now the author informs us that he dreamed about having a dream and that the reality was what we would consider the least probable and the most akin to fiction. It is now that he goes and lives his utopian life.

This essay will be my opinion on which of the two “dreams” was more realistic: When he woke up in 1887 or 2000.

I will inform you that it was, in fact, rather disappointing to read that his utopian revelation had been but a dream; and that it was rather relieving to find that his dream of having a dream was a dream. However, it is my opinion that that his dream of waking up in 1887 was much more realistic.

The first reason for why the dream of waking up in 1887 is more realistic is because of the reactions of the countrymen. While Mr. West had been a pushover and simply accepted everything as “the way it is,” the countrymen thought him looney. They laughed and mocked him. Their reaction was a natural, realistic one.

The second reason for why the dream of waking up in 1887 is more realistic is because of the inconsistencies in the plot that had polluted the story thus far. While the novel had managed to convert thousands to the socialist mindset (in real life), it had not only failed to show how the characters in the novel had managed the peaceful, bloodless revolution of the transition from the peak of Capitalism to the alleged perfection of Socialism; it had neglected to include an action step – a call for action – the first step towards achieving the society outlined and portrayed in great detail throughout the book. It made no sense that the wealthy of society would, out of the blue, give up all their riches to the state where the state would re-distribute all the wealth. There was no mention to the steps of the formation of the government, only descriptions of how the government looked once fully formed.

In summary, the dream of waking up in 1887 after his vision of the year 2000 was more realistic than the “dream” of waking up in the year 2000 because of the reactions of the reactions to do socialist idealism and also because of the inconsistencies of the alternative option.

What is the least believable aspect of the novel so far?

I am now over half way through my English course (with the Ron Paul Homeschool Curriculum for this year). In this half, the lectures are switched from being presented by Bradley Fish, to Gary North. I greatly enjoy Mr. North’s lectures; the philosophical way he presents, the way he analyzes the information. Today’s assignment was to write about the least believable aspect of a socialist ideologically based novel: Looking Backward. Though the author truly believed in the principles presented in the novel, it clearly presents the inconsistencies of a socialist society. It is purely utopian fiction and, though greatly amusing, it is mainly discourse between the main character, Mr. West, and the good doctor, Mr. Leete.

The plot is reasonably intriguing…though not reasonable at all. Mr. West suffers from insomnia (a condition that makes sleeping difficult). He thus makes himself an underground chamber – steel walls and door and a concrete floor. It is in this room that he generally finds peace and slumber. However, on nights such as the one portrayed in the book; West feels another sleepless night coming on. Because he suffered from lack of sleep the last two nights, and because he never lets himself go more than two nights without sleep (for health reasons), he calls upon a physician who puts him into a trance.

Now you see, the physician who usually lends his services to West was leaving for greener pastures elsewhere. It was only he, West’s servant, and West himself that knew of this sleeping chamber. The physician taught West’s servant how to awaken West (for the convenience of the physician), and with that, he put West to sleep and left Boston in the year 1887

The next thing West knows is that he is awakening. There is an unfamiliar man above him and he is in an unfamiliar room. West is soon explained to that he slept for 113 years…with no food or water – and he suffers from no internal or external problems! The one who aroused him explained that in the state of slumber which he was put into, the body itself goes to sleep. Thus, basically everything is frozen in the state that it was when it was put to sleep and it remains that way until the being is awakened. The man explains that West’s house burned down and, because West’s servant (who also died in the fire) was the only one to know about the chamber (except the physician who left town who was unaware of the fire’s occurrence), West had remained in the sound proof, fire proof, water proof, yet ventilated chamber. Dr. Leete had come across the chamber by accident and had aroused West.

From then on, Dr. Leete informs West of what has taken place in the economy, society, and civilization in general since 1887 to the present day 2000.  He explains how wonderful the socialist society is, and yet, neglects to explain how the all-important transition took place.

The writer of the novel’s name was Edward Bellamy. Bellamy was writing in the 19^th century and was trying to inspire his readers to believe in the socialist concepts for society.

The main reason for this assignment was to explain what, so far, I believe to be the most unbelievable aspect of the novel (I have only read to about chapter 9).

Aside from the fantastic slumber, his incredible survival, and the amazing change in society (that seems to have no transition), the most unbelievable aspect might have to be the conundrum of the establishment of wages.

You see, Dr. Leete claims that all wages are equal; which in fact is not true. He contradicts himself by saying that, though everyone is paid the same daily wage, hours fluctuate (more, or less) depending on the attractiveness of the occupation. Thus, the hourly wage is different. Any person in their right mind would realize that someone being paid $100 for 8 hours of work is being paid less than someone being paid $100 for 2 hours of work! Yet, Bellamy thinks us all idiots…either that, or he himself is an idiot. Mr. West asks twice for Dr. Leete to explain how wages are decided…and twice Dr. Leete refuses to answer the question. The first time Dr. Leete is asked the question, he answers by declaring that it is bed-time. No joke. The second time Mr. West asks the question Dr. Leete says he doesn’t know how to answer it using West’s language!

Bellamy himself – the socialist – didn’t understand how a socialist society ought to be established; that is why he did not explain. He only knew how his fantastical ideas ought to play out.

I would recommend reading this book. Though illogical, it is still good literature and it is fun to point out the fallacious statements and inconsistencies of the writing.

Why a blog site with lots of content will help me get my first full-time job after college.

English Lesson 150

This essay will present the reasons why a blog with lots of content will help me get my first full-time job after college.

An employer wants to know what you are capable of. The employer may have previous knowledge about you and what you are capable of doing, but for most people, that is not the case. In order to get your desired job, you need to differentiate yourself from the other job applicants. Since you’re new to the field and fresh out of college, you won’t have a lot on your resume.

So how can one set oneself apart?

From kindergarten to your college graduation, you have been pursuing an academic career. Most people neglect to adequately present the accomplishments of their academic career. This is very unfortunate. You need to show what you have spent the last 18-25 years of your life doing!

Granted, some graduates will list the college they attended; but as for myself, a homeschooler, there may be less public record of my academic achievements.

This is why a blog with lots of content will help me obtain a job: I will be able to communicate what I am able to do for a potential employer as well as show the (very important) added ability of clear writing.

The value of writing is greatly underestimated. Writing is necessary in nearly every aspect of life. You may have done many things that would be of great value to a potential employer, however, if you can’t tell him what it is that you have done, those things won’t be of much use to you.

If you can demonstrate, using the skill of writing, that you possess clarity, the potential for leadership, and experience in a particular field, you greatly increase the potential for success in said field because the employer will realize that the company can’t lose you – that you’re invaluable to the company, and as a result, the company will make an effort to keep you at all costs and to give you incentive to stay. 

Is it important for students to pursue college or other formal higher education after high school?

English Lesson 145

The pursuit of knowledge and wisdom is among the most sought-after and crucial aspects of human existence. And rightly so, for you see without knowledge we would be but babes and animals – unknowing creatures. In fact, even a religious group known as the Gnostics believed that afterlife could be obtained through acquired knowledge. It has become common thought and main-stream opinion that educational institutions such as college are important, if not essential, for students who have graduated from high-school. In this essay I will show three reasons why it is not necessary for students to pursue college:

1. The ability to acquire knowledge is not gained by attending college
2. College can present un-healthy environments, distractions, and demotivation
3. There are cheaper yet still highly effective alternatives

Without further ado, let us continue:

The ability to acquire knowledge is not gained by attending college

Though college can be a useful opportunity and a good place to learn certain life skills, these skills can be learned elsewhere at less cost. Also, one such important life skill, the ability to acquire knowledge, is most certainly not guaranteed.

College can present un-healthy environments, distractions, and demotivation

At college, distractions and un-healthy environments (i.e. sexual temptations, bullying, extracurricular activities (such as fraternities, etc.) and demotivation (caused by comparing oneself to others) can run rampant. These troubles can cause a student to drop out or quit college – never to return. With no degree, the college leaves the student with distress, debt, and disappointment.

There are cheaper yet still highly effective alternatives

Observing the above issues with the pursuit of obtaining a college education, many are gravitating toward CLEP type tests; tests that one can take at one’s own speed, time, and as one’s financial situation allows. Let me briefly explain what these tests are:

CLEP:

CLEP stands for College Level Examination Program. Using this program, you are able to earn college credits without being physically present at the college. This allows for the student to study at home (or really, anywhere), reducing or eliminating boarding fees and the aforementioned college concerns. Bradly Fish Jr., a CLEP graduate, earned 75% of his degree using CLEP tests (the remaining 25% he earned using online classes). His various study tools cost approximately $25; he used 30 tests, each test being $80, and thus, Bradley earned 75% of his degree for only $2,400 on CLEP tests! To complete these tests, he bought the previous year’s books for a great discount.  A typical college education pales greatly in this light, costing exponentially more for the same degree. Msn reports the Federal Reserve saying that the average student debt totalled to around $20, 000-$25, 000! That’s just in debt! Using CLEP tests, a student is able to earn their degree for relatively nothing, get out absolutely debt free, and, if the student chooses, he/she may work nearly full time as they complete it. Also, there is no minimum age requirement. Bradly started taking CLEP tests at 14 years of age and finished at 18. Thus, while his peers where merely graduating high-school, he was able to graduate from high-school and college…at just 18!

In conclusion, it is not necessary for students to pursue college because the ability to acquire knowledge is not gained by attending college, college can present un-healthy environments, distractions, and demotivation, and there are cheaper yet still highly effective alternatives. Take action NOW by contacting your college of preference and buy your first CLEP. It will not take long and it will not cost much, but you will gain a great deal by completing it.

Should the government be able to restrict content on the Internet?

We have all seen those famous Hollywood movies. The hero News reporter rushes to the scene and there she uses our favorite cliché, “blah, blah, blah…right to free speech.” That line wasn’t just made up, though; that line was is a legitimate statement of our rights.

Throughout the end of the 20^th century and into present day, the internet has enlarged the world – yet, brought everyone closer at the same time. The internet became an extension of our current locations – an extension of our homes. It is a place for us to meet, debate, and discuss with others – a place to share our opinions. In such a place, would it not be completely necessary and unquestionably right to have the right of free speech?

The government, having a say in the way the internet is run, has given itself the liberty of suppressing opinions that do not coincide with their own. This is not right.

Consider this short story as an allegory:

John walked up to the podium. He was to read his dissertation on the opposition of government taxation and the Freedom Convention. He knew it was an unpopular opinion to give, especially considering the office he held. He gripped the podium and began,

“My brothers, today I give you my dissertation on the opposition of government taxation. We –”

John stopped short. He tapped his microphone…nothing. He had been silenced.

In this allegory, John began to give his opinion. When the operators heard what his topic was to be, they silenced him. He was unable to voice his opinion.

This example accurately portrays the way the government acts when they restrict content on the internet. Sure, they own the microphone; but they have offered us the use of it. The internet is an extension of our voices. If we truly have a right to free speech, then we should not be censored. But if not, then it is all a lie.

I once was in the presence of a wise lawyer. I believe he said something to the effect of the following,

“They may take all our rights away…but as long as we have the right to free speech, we can gain them all back.”

Guess what? They are suppressing our right to free speech. If they succeed, they may – under our corrupt legal system – destroy our freedoms. This is why we need the right to free speech.

In conclusion, as long as we have free speech rights, the government cannot, may not, and will not suppress our words. The government is suppressing various freedoms as it is; but even if all other freedoms be taken away, as long as we have free speech rights, we have freedom in our grasp. I call all my readers to action. I call each one of you to fight for your rights, to fight for our freedoms, and to fight for free speech! Show your beliefs by your actions; because without action, there is no proof of belief.

Should Citizens be Given the Right to Own Assault Weaponry? | An Explication of the 2nd Amendment

Lesson 140

Immorality runs rampant throughout 21^st century. With our legal system in shambles, thieves, murderers, and those who mean bodily harm attack the good and innocent of our society. People should have the right to protect themselves and their own; yet, certain individuals call for suppression of our rights – including the right to bear arms. To heed this call would infringe on our freedoms and violate the 2^nd amendment. Here is what the 2^nd amendment says,

“A well-regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.”¹

In short, the people have a legal right to own weapons and that right may never be infringed upon.

In this essay, I will give an explication on the 2^nd amendment saying whether that document should give citizens the right to own assault weaponry. I will also state why citizens should have the right to own assault weaponry.

The 2^nd amendment gives citizens the right to own assault weaponry; that is literally what it says. I quoted the 2^nd amendment in my introduction. However, if it was not clear enough as it was written, here is a shortened version of the 2^nd amendment:

“People have the never ending right to own weapons.”

Honestly, that is literally what is says. I don’t know how you could interpret it any other way.

Citizens should be given the right to own assault weapons because the employment of the principal in the 2^nd amendment would minimize crime and the lack of employment of it would lead to a spike in crime. What is that principal?

First of all, as long as people have weapons and ammunition, they can provide food for themselves by means of hunting. If everyone is provided for, then there will be no lack and there will be no reason to steal (except for corrupt human nature).

Second, if everyone is armed, and everyone knows that everyone is armed, then only the weak of mind and bold of heart (corrupt, of course, none the less) would dare to trespass the right of private property.

Just think, who would want to take the potential reward (whether it be momentary pleasure or financial or property gain) when there is a great risk of death involved? Nobody in their right mind.

In conclusion, the 2^nd amendment gives citizens the right to own assault weaponry. If the promise in the 2^nd amendment was kept, crime would be minimized and quality of life would increase.

Sources:

1. https://www.law.cornell.edu/wex/second_amendment