I am careful with how I address this subject. To often, opinions get out of control and what we like to think of as passionate is more accurately defined as emotional.

I respectfully disagree with you, Mrs. Gaboury. Going on the Day of Silence site, it proved to me that this was a day set apart to support homesexuals, transgenders etc. It may be cloked as a day to support all those made fun of, but taking a good look at this ite quickly proves otherwise.

I am completely against the abuse and harrasment of gay, lesbian or transgender people. It is not at all the correct way to address the situation! I cannot, however, take part in this day. No matter how they dress it up, they're asking for people to support homosexuality in our country. I don't support that.

Aside from this matter, standing up for the underdog is often an awesome thing to do!! I am kind of copying your example, Mrs. Gaboury, but only because I think it's usch an awesome one and it keeps coming to mine. Atticus Finch from to Kill a Mokingbird stood up for the underest of underdogs (yes, I said 'underest'). The interesting thing about Atticus is that he doesn't win the fight. Tom Robinson is shot. This only makes what Atticus did even more valuable. So often we hear stories of people valantly standing up for the underdog and winning and gaining much glory and honor. Atticus truly was working for the underdog; not just for glory.

When people stand up for the underdog, at the time they are often looked down on by people around them. It's kind of expected. However, usually later when people look back, that person is greatly admired.

I guess my point is that people like Atticus who stand up for the underdog can't do it for glory. They have to honestly believe in and care about what they're standing up for. People like this are rare but very worthy of much honor when they are genuine.

Earth Day

This year on earth day my Mom bought some of those energy efficient lightbulbs, so thats pretty cool. I try to recycle all the time. My family and I have a recyling bin, and we return our cans and bottles to those machines. We are trying to be more efficiant with driving, and not make any unnessesary trips out because of the price of gas. We also dont keep our heat on for a long time in the winter, and I turn lights off when I leave a room. My Dad tought me to do that at an early age, and I think its a good habbit to have. I try to be good, and not just recycle on earth day, and I think everyone should try to do that as well.

Do we really have the right to form a judgement?

I am actually having trouble thinking of a case where someone stood up for someone who was being harrassed or bullied. But firstly i would like to mention that i kindly disagree with you Mrs. Gaboury by saying that the day of Silence is deffinately to draw attention to the bullying on GLBT people in particular. IT was not created in general to draw attention to the bullying going on between everyone. After talking to my brother about it and researching it online, i've learned that the whole purpose of creating this day was in dedication of a boy killed because he was gay and to end the bullying of GLBT's. Although thats not to say that the day of silence made to draw attention to the harrassment of GLBT's could be a chance to also draw attention to overall bullying in our world. Honestly I don't think I should even give my opinion on wether it is " ok " to be gay because it is such a tender topic. I am ignorant to how GLBT people feel i am not one so i don't know if they really are attracted to the opposite sex or maybe there just confused, they're growing,hormonal teenagers honestly now. So i guess teenagers should not make that decision so young, but then again i really don't know i meen maybe they can tell for sure that they have zero attraction to the opposite sex at such a young age. Every person who is not GLBT obviously can not fully understand what it is like to be GLBT so we should not judge and form opinions on a topic we are so unfamiliar with. But say someone does know a person who is GLBT ,but really now they don't completely understand what its like and i don't think someone who is not GLDT should ever really be able to form an opinion. So actually i guess i am saying that GLBT people should in no meens have to go through life being harrased,and I will give that to the day of silence. But i will say that if a group every plans to participate in this again through our school they should in their best interests get the point across to the entire school body exactly what the day is meant for. If they had made sure people understood i do not think all of this confusion would have happened.

ok back to my case, well i am think ing of a movie I watched in spanish class. A latino girl and her friends were hanging around an area in america where a lot of illegal immagrants were working. Well some of the main characters friends thought it would be hilarious to yell "police" so that all the poor immagrants would run and flee away thinking they are going to get caught and sent back to mexico. The main character was so upset that they were going to do this since she recently discovered her own wealthy, high career father had never became an emerican citizen. Since she could relate to the other poor illegal immigrants she yelled and screamed at her friends for them to not yell "police". By doing this she was standing up for those less fortunate then her, and i am so trying not to get into the whole illegal immigrant controversy right now but this is the only example i could think of.

good night mrs. gaboury

zZZZZzzzZZZzzzzzZZZZzzzz- melissa

note! i am just posting this here so i can copy it onto my computer @ home and work on it there! i will delete this soon. :)))))

Picasso, Pioneer of the Artistic Revolution: Preliminary Outline

I. Introduction
A. Introduce Pablo Picasso as a revolutionary artist of the 20th century
B. Picasso inspired, catalyzed, developed, and co-created many new artistic techniques and styles and became immensely popular and famous
C. Changed the way people think of and view art and changed the course of modern art’s development

II. Body
A. Picasso’s personal life
i. Born in Malaga, Spain on October 25, 1881

Day of silence vs. Speaking up

I have been picked on before, and it doesn’t feel good. Good for all the people participating in the day of silence, but in all honesty I don’t understand it. I don’t see how it is going to help. Maybe if someone who understands the meaning of it could explain it to me I would feel differently, but at the moment I don’t think it’s going to help stop bullying, and harrasment. I don’t want to offend anyone who believes in it, but I really don’t see the point. I am totally against making fun of people who are different due to religion, sexuality, or any other reason. But personally I feel it is better to stand up and say something, than to have a day of silence.
I admire the character of Atticus Finch in Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird. On the day of silence people don’t say anything, and that is supposed to help stick up for those who are bullied, but Atticus said something. When no one else would he stuck up for and defended Tom Robinson. He was happy to help, and was proud for helping him. I also admire all those who are willing to stick up for and speak for those who are bullied.

Pastromi and Rye

The day of silence. I have my own complicated veiws on this day that I'm not going to get to in depth, but let me summaraize my beliefs briefly. I completely support homosexuals, transexuals, and all other people who are abused, but I believe that there are faults in this day, and serious fault in those who stayed home today to protest homosexuality. But anyway. The topic of someone standing up for an underdog makes me think of a scene from Bridge to Terabithia. World Renowned school bully Gary Fulcher was making fun of new student Leslie Burke. He was telling her that she couldn't run in the race, and was extremely demeaning, but then Jess Aarons came to her rescue, asking "You aren't scared to race against a girl, are you?" Well then Gary concedes and let her race. Jess's kindness causes him to lose the race. This shows that he sacrificed a victory for someone who at this point wasn't a friend, but someone who was being tormented by her peers. I try to stand up for the little guy, or at least I like to think I do, but it's hard, and noone can honestly say that they do it all the time. But if we make a consious effort to stand up for the bullied, abused, or whatever, the world will be a better place.

I know I already posted a blog about today

You may have noticed I'm not talking today. No one forced me to. I'm standing up for what I believe in.

This quote doesn't say everything that I feel it should say, but it can be applied in a certain way.

"If you cut yourself, you don't cut. If you eat, if you don't eat. If your parents split up, if your parents hit you, if your mom tells you you're a piece of trash. If you got into a car crash and half your face is gone. Wake up every morning, and just give yourself a shot. Just do it. You've been given the grace to wake up another day. Just give it a friggen try." - Aaron Gillepsie (The Almost)

Aaron is an amazing person, first off. He's the drummer in the Christian hardcore band, Underoath (and backup singer), then started a more Christian-y rock based group... The Almost. I connect to his music more than I have with anyone else's, even if I'm not a Christian. He writes true stuff. It doesn't matter where he's coming from.

This quote, for me, applies today because I feel like I have to do this. To prove a point and to prove to everyone else that we're all in this together. That's true in any case, but especially when it comes to this kind of stuff. Don't use bad things that have happened/are happening to you as a crutch. Don't let them weigh you down. Use them as a guide to learn what you feel you have to accomplish.

You have nothing to lose when you stand up for what you believe in. If you pour every ounce of yourself--every negative, every positive, every emotion... you'll do it. You'll fix what you were trying to fix. You'll save what you were trying to save. And I truly believe that.

Take no one's crap (I would say something else, but I think Gaboury would yell at me... haha). If you want to do it and someone gives you mouth, ignore it. Stand up to them. Don't give them what they want.

With this said, I appreciate the people who have been supportive of what I'm trying to do today. Not making fun of me. Even if you didn't understand it, you still let me do what I had to do.

I have learned that this year, I'm a take no... schist (SCIENCE TERM. IT'S LEGIT! :]) kind of person and it doesn't matter who you are. I won't take it. I'll stand up for whatever I need to do, no matter what the cause. So thank you guys for understanding what I really had to do.

<3

Peace, love, belief.

Day of Silence

This is a really hard blog for me. It's difficult to think of someone who stand up for the "underdog" these days. I really feel like all people do is talk about each other is mean ways and make people feel bad about themselves so honestly I think this day of silence is good. It's not very often that you will find someone who stands up for the underdog because of the fear that they will get made fun of themselves. I can see this person as a real individual. They don't really care what other people think or say about them. I would admire this person. That takes a lot to stand up for someone when all of your friends are saying things about them. But I also think there is the other side to this when people would start to make fun of that person too. This is a problem that could be easily fixed, it just takes some guts.

I HATE bullying!!!!

I have be picked on bullied many times. I think it is a horrible thing to do. I know that if you get picked on by one person then the other people think that it is okay and start doing it to. Parents always tell you to ignore it and it would go away but it doesn't.The truth to the matter is that you have to stand up for yourself! You can't let them get the better of you. I have not only been picked on for my messy hair and other silly and stupid things like that, but I have had to deal with physical abuse by a classmate that thought they could get the best of me...but they were wrong the only thing they gained from it was a lose of my friendship and maybe some other people finally saw her/his true colors showing and had second thoughts about being her/his friend. I think the real reason people bully other is because that they are either jealous or to make themselves feel better. I personally think that they should do something more happier to make them feel better... but some people are just stupid and like to bully others. But that is the way it is and people have to learn to deal with it and move on...

~Chelsea

Day of silence

I think it is wrong for people to make fun of other people and call them names. So, I think that it is good that people are standing up for that. I don't like when I am called mean names when the person is serious because it feels like the person is right and you have to change but after a while you realize they are wrong. I don't mind if people are just joking around if it isn't really mean. So, if the day of silence is for people who are picked on for how they look and things like that I support it. But I wouldn't if it was to support people that are gay. But I wouldn't make fun of them because that is their desicion.
A person who stood up for people was Martin Luther King jr. He helped get people who are black get rights. After he did this they got their rights not long after so, he was a big help. I admire how he stood up for himself and other people that were black because it was what he belived in. He also did it knowing that he could get put in jail and maybe killed. Alot of people admire him and are glad he did what he did.

Day of ...........

I've heard a lot of different discrpitions about today. Some people told me that it was pretty much "Gay Day". So, of course, I didn't support it. Being gay is not okay and I'm very strongly against it, although I do not harass gay people in any way. Someone else told me that the Day of Silence is about discrimnation in general (example: race, religion, etc.). In that case, I support it. Well.... kinda. What I mean is we all get picked on. Then again, some of us get picked on more than others. It's not cool to pick on people, and sometimes people can make me feel like dirt. But that's where we who do sometimes get picked on need to have that inner power that overrides all the crud we get. There's a song by Casting Crowns that goes like this:

Oh,what I would do to have
the kind of faith it takes
To climb out of this boat I'm in
Onto the crashing waves
To step out of my comfort zone
Into the realm of the unknown
Where Jesus is,
And he's holding out his hand

But the waves are calling out my name and they laugh at me
Reminding me of all the times I've tried before and failed
The giants they keep on telling me time and time again
"Boy, you'll never win, you'll never win."

But the voice of truth tells me a different story
The voice of truth says "do not be afraid!"
And the voice of truth says "this is for my glory"
Out of all the voices calling out to me
I will choose to listen and believe the voice of truth

Oh, what I would do to have the kind of strength it takes
To stand before a giant with just a sling and a stone
Surrounded by the sound of a thousand warriors shaking in their armor
Wishing they'd have had the strength to stand

But the giant's calling out my name and he laughs at me
Reminding me of all the times I've tried before and failed
The giant keeps on telling me time and time again
"Boy you'll never win, you'll never win."

But the voice of truth tells me a different story
The voice of truth says "do not be afraid!"
And the voice of truth says "this is for my glory"
Out of all the voices calling out to me
I will choose to listen and believe the voice of truth

But the stone was just the right size
To put the giant on the groundand the waves they don't seem so high
From on top of them looking downi will soar with the wings of eagles
When i stop and listen to the sound of Jesus
Singing over me

But the voice of truth tells me a different story
The voice of truth says do not be afraid
And the voice of truth says this is for my glory
Out of all the voices calling out to me (calling out to me)
I will choose to listen and believe (I will choose to listen and believe)
I will choose to listen and believe the voice of truth

I will listen and believeI will listen and believe the voice of truthI will listen and believe 'Cause Jesus you are the voice of truthAnd I will listen to you.. oh you are

And that's the only voice I listen to: The Voice of Truth. Hint: that's God! So I guess I don't really get the Day of Silence. I listen to GOD!

Bullying is Bad.

Yes, I have been picked on before. It really kills your confidence. I think the day of silence will blow bast people and it wont change how poeple treat others. I don't think it will change anything. Because sooner or later, people will forget and go back to making fun. We need to do something more than just have a day of silence. I think we need to have people voice their thoughts and we need the support of others to get the confidence to do that. Its possible, but that won't happen for a while, with all of the bullying and harassment in schools today. I don't think the day of silence will do anything, because sooner or later everything will go back to normal. Well, normal is the wrong word to use. Normal...what does normal mean anyway?

Ehearth Day

Well... Tick. Tick. Tick. *Can't think of anything* Tick. Tick. Hm... Earth Day. A time to think about saving our planet. Well, regardless of it being a special day, I've been trying to conserve energy. I try to remember to shut off electronics when not in use, such as my electronic guillotine. But more so than now, I've been thinking about the future. And I've realized there's very little I can do in the grand scheme of things, but I will try to do what I can. I plan to buy a car which uses fuel that is not made of fossil fuel. I also plan on hunting down the evil monkey oil barons. And there's also not much I can do to lower gas prices, but I will do what I can to limit my gas spending. Sorry for the lame post, but, meh. By Peter the Pickled Knight and Batman.

Earth Day

I admit that I actually forgot that Tuesday was Earth Day. As for me I really want to help the planet-but I admit that I don't really do as much as I should. And I have been thinking lately about how I probably won't be able to drive a car when I'm 16 because I won't be able to afford gas. I've also always seen so much trash on the sides of roads, and I want to help clean it up but it would be a big job and take alot of time-which is hard to find these days with school and everything. I already turn off the water when I am brushing my teeth and turn off the lights (I actually have yelled at my sister for leaving her light on-then she yelled at me but...), but I really don't know what else I can do.

The "Day of Silence" is a very interesting, and obviously controversial topic. To me it seems like just another one of those days where the different school groups are able to show what they believe in. Although they are trying to make a movement much bigger than they actually can, it is the principle of the thing that makes them happy (I guess). I have no problem with homosexuals, I believe that there is nothing wrong with being who you are, and if who they are is different from everyone else, than so be it. It is not like they are trying to take over the universe with their attraction for the same sex. There is nothing wrong with being gay, and proud. I believe that civil unions are the best answer for the problem of marriage. If this day is saying that "Your okay with being gay" than more power to them. But, if this is just to make a statement of how terrible the world is, and that not speaking for a day will make people understand, than they are wrong. In this case your actions are not speaking louder than your words. If not the case, I must be missing the point.

Earff Day!

Well my mom is really picky about turning off lights when we leave a room.
And not running the water when we brush our teeth.
We've started to recycle too.
I've been really concious about where I go and things I want to do that involve driving because the price of gas just keeps getting higher and higher and I feel pretty guilty if I make my mom or someone else waste about five dollars in gas just driving me around. I think it's pretty stupid.
I need more Earth concious habits. I'm getting pretty lazy when there are so many easy and simple things to do to help out and save the Earth.

Earff Day!

Well my mom is really picky about turning off lights when we leave a room.
And not running the water when we brush our teeth.
We've started to recycle too.
I've been really concious about where I go and things I want to do that involve driving because the price of gas just keeps getting higher and higher and I feel pretty guilty if I make my mom or someone else waste about five dollars in gas just driving me around. I think it's pretty stupid.
I'm not really earth concious other than that.
I'm pretty lazy actually.
I don't know. I need better habits.

COMPLETELY RANDOM

ya this is pretty random, i just wanted to say stop the presses and we need to stand of to the eastern diplomats of west russia. GLOBAL WARMING KILLS WHALES!

Don't be hatin'!

Speaking of Day of Silence and getting picked on. Almost everyday I get called a dyke or lesbian by this upperclassman named Jeremiah. Man, that gets annoying, but I'm just snarky back. I mean, just because I hold hands with my best friend who happens to be a girl does not make me a lesbian. Jeeze.
And today! I got into an argument with someone in my Spanish class because they said that DOS was strictly for gays. People that think things like that are that are very close minded really upset me. Sorry I had to ran about that, back to the actual assignment.
I really admire my boyfriend Ezra. Even his friends constantly make fun of him. I hate it, it's terrible. Almost everyone gives him crap at school about the way he dresses, music he listens to, who he hangs out with, the art he creates. And he proved them all wrong when he got two pieces of art into The Hyde collection. After that they realized that he really did have a talent, but because of the way he was stereotyped people didn't want to look at what he could do for what it really was. Makes me proud to call that my boyfriend! Haha.

Day of Silence

Ms. Gaboury, with all due respect, the "Day of Silence" is for gay rights. My father, prior to school this morning talked to the principle about this matter and was in fact informed that it is particularly aimed towards gay rights. This may sound foolish to you, but by not going to school on this "Day of Silence", I am standing up for the rights that i have as a straight, anti-gay rights individual. Now, I am well aware that this blog may be very offensive to some people, but they need to understand that I am a Christian, and do believe that being gay is wrong. I would be a hippocrit if i was to say that people shouldnt be allowed to be gay because i am a firm believer in free-will. However, I believe that the earth has functioned well for 6000 years, with marriage between a man and a woman. What I am saying is that I believe it to be wrong to redefine the meaning of marriage, and do not support, in any way, gay rights.

If Your Gay, That's Okay

Oh yeah, this morning in my Art class I needed a good dose of Anger Management.
These kids (not igivng out names because it should be obvious) were all talking about how "Friday's the 'Gay Day', I'm not going to school!" Honestly I felt like taking a gun and..well you catch my drift. For anyone who knows me I'm pretty easy-going and hard to anger..so that stand for a lot in itself. Non-violence..gotta remember that.

Day of Silence, I think, is an amazing day. It's amazing because all of these people who are mistreated, even beaten, stand up for themselves. I mean..for all of the people who hurt gays, lesbians, and all of the sorts, you are..in plain terms, a butt who finds the pleasure in someone else's pain. You are making fun of people who are just being themselves! It's like someone making fun of you because your a boy or a girl..how would you feel? Being gay or lesbian isn't really something you just decide, it's something you feel and there isn't any escaping it. Sure there's running away, but how long until you find yourself?

As long as there are people who stand up for themselves, literally standing up for their own self, then the people who are mocking us are being hated..not that you care I'm sure. My point is that nobody has the right to hurt people for being themselves, it is not right and it just makes you weak to do so.

My rant...is now over, thank you~

------

Person?!?! Ummumum..Why my sister of course!

My sis (I see in school everyday) is amazing and I love her dearly. She's so mature..even though she doesn't seem it AT ALL, she's very mature. She doesn't let people who TRY to knock her down, do so. I really do look up to her for being so strong and letting people know she isn't weak.

It's the end of the day so I gotta run..see ya. =)

Earth Day

Earth Day is a completely useless non-important holiday, just as every holiday that we dont have off is. Personally I've stopped caring about the Earth, which some people might say is insensitive or not correct. But honestly I dont care anymore, its gotten to the point where there's almost an even split on both sides of the argument of if were destroying the earth or not, there is no reality to the situation because if there was there would be hard evidence with no complaining on whether or not there is any truth behind it. I recycle at school but thats pretty much it, besides my trash days with cardboard boxes and bottle and can return. I wait till i absolutely need to do laundry to do it. I take showers that range from 10 to 30 minutes. Earth Day is pointless cuz there will always be someone who doesnt care.

Earth Day

I think that Earth Day should be everyday because if we only have 1 day dedicated to helping Earth what are we accomplshing? A single day out of everyone in the worlds lives to help clean up the environment when it is just going to get messy again in the next week? And then people are going to most likely leave the trash on the ground until the next Earth Day, or until they realize how much the inhabitants of the Earth need us to help clean up what we messed up. I'm not saying that I have helped clean up the environment in anyway, because it doesn't seem like THAT big of a deal to me, even though it should, because it is!

Earth Day

Earth Day to some people is just another day. To others it is a day to make a difference. I forgot that it was earth day until someone reminded me. To save energy at home I make an effort to turn of lights when I'm done in a room and try to use less water. My parents are trying to run the cars less because of the high gas prices and It is definitely taking an impact in my life. Since gas prices went up we don't eat out as much. My family made a big change this winter. We didn't burn our furnace unless we needed to because we have a fireplace and a coal stove that heats the whole house. By us doing this we saved money and used a lot less energy. I didn't do anything for earth day and even though i care about the planet I don't plan on planting any tree but I will use less water when brushing my teeth and doing the dishes. I think that if everyone did something as simple as turning off a light when their not in a room we could save a lot more energy and could help stop global warming because were not burning as much fossil fules.

What one task (or more) are you undertaking to make this world more energy secure? Less dependant on foreign fuel sources? Your family pocketbook stretch more? Have you made any changes to how you live? Did you do anything special to celebrate Earth Day? Will you do a belated Happy Earth Day Project? (Plant a tree, pick up trash, turn off lights when not using them, turn off water when brushing teeth? etc.)Enjoy!Mrs. Gaboury



Im trying to get my mother to buy more green products. And i want to get recycling but if it didnt costed money then we would but my family and i are undergoing a profect on expanding our house. for the new products i want to get the new green light bulbs that they cost less money than ordinary bulbs. Bu they cost alot more. Hopefully we are going t0 have and make a dryway out of stone because you have to pay a yearly fee to have your drive way paved. No I still live the same way. But my family isn't ready to change that much. In my yard over the break we have split a couple of plants and trees that were in a big group.

I think Martin Luther fits what you told us to write because he stood up for all the African Americans when people didn't treat them equally. He went many places and talked to people about the problems. He was a very inspirational person but the outcome wasn't good because he got killed. MLK Jr. was a leader and a hero to many people and he inspired many people to change. I do admire this person because he was a great person and made very moving speeches

Day of Shh

I used to know this guy and he wasn't a very tall or strong kid, and this kid got beat up again. I saw him get made fun of and get beat up and i was to afraid to do anything about this kids situation. One day those guys were making fun of that kid and this one big guy, our age, comes up and says stop and the bad kids were like make us and that guy did. He pretty much beat the living **** out of them(that really wasn't a bad word). So those guys never made fun of him again and i really looked up to that one kid and i feel that he really did the right thing by giving those kids a taste of their own medicine.

stand up for yer friendsss. duhh!

well... i know this person, who has stood up for people when they were being made fun of, and being laughed at and stuff... she's in this class actually... it takes alot of guts to stand up to someone who could be a complete jerk, and tear you down. She's someone that i hope people can be like, and who i hope that i can be like too, becuase shes got a really good heart, and she doesnt let people mess with her friends. I think that she is a really good role modle, or she could be a really good role model for kids who see something mean, or hurtful happening to thier friends, but are two afraid to do anything about it. Thanks Sadie =]


shannon<3

Shouldn't everyday be Earth Day?

We shouldn't have just ONE day to prove that we want to save our planet. I've heard some people that don't take Al Gore's movie on global warming seriously, just shrugging it off and ignoring it. That can't happen now.

But it can. And it is. We as humans get scared. And when we get scared, we have the habit of running when it gets too bad. If we ignore it, it won't be there. We can fix it by living in a world where nothing goes wrong.

We can't live in that world unless we do things to fix it. Doing things more than just on days when we feel obliged to. It should come every day. You have to make it a habit. Kindness shouldn't be forced.

I've been more conscious with air conditioning and recycling than I have been before--opening my windows more, checking labels and saving bottles for my house if I can't find any places to recycle them at school.

Little things can go a long way. Yeah, maybe helping save the Earth isn't "cool", but it'll be just as cool now as when we're all dying from heat exhaustion.

shhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

before i begin.. i want whoever is reading this to know that im not a bully and i try to be nice to be everybody and im going to try my hardest not to offend anyone. Im very sorry in advanced and i didnt mean to hurt your feelings but this is how i feel and if it sounds b*&%#y im seriously sorry. So maybe it would be better if you think your going to be offended that you shouldnt read this. Think of this little paragraph as a warning sign. thanks and have a happy day =]]











i believe that the day of scilence is a good idea but in a wrong way. Everybody is bullied. weather your the most popular person in school or the most "losserish". I feel that yes its so totaly wrong that people are bullied and something needs to be done. the day is a great idea but ive seen this happen before and its almost as if its like a " feel bad for me day". im tryimg my very hardest not to be mean. yeah bullying is a HORRIBLE thing and it can do some horrible damage to people. but its just not one crowd. its everyone. and thats a fact of life people are just going to have to deal with. yes i sound like a total B*&%# but i cant help it. its a good idea on paper to have this day.. but at least in AP.. its almost like a poor me day.




the person i do feel did a good job at sticking up for people would have to be atticus. yes i know everybody else is doing him but i cant think of anybody else at the moment. he stuck up for people when nobdy else would. a white man deffending a black man. it was like a trap... but he kept going. he used will power and perserveered through it.



i really dont want to go into further detail because i fell like im going to if not already offended people and i dont wanna make it worse. but somebody had to do it. cause i know theres more than one person in the world that feels like i do.. everybody just does the i feel bad for the harrased but i cant pull myself to do that. EVERYBODYS harrassed.

Stargirl=Role Model #3

First and foremost, I think that the Day of Silence is a fantastic idea! I myself will not be participating, but I support it whole-heartedly. As Martin Luther King Jr. said, "Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere."

The character (fictional) I am using to illustrate this concept is Stargirl, from Stargirl. In being so pure and true to herself, and in marching through the hateful vibrations of lesser minds and weaker spirits, she took a stand for every other oddling. Everyone is persecuted for the same reason: because they are different, and one pioneer for differences being accepted blasts away a little bit more at the mountain that is fear of difference and abnormality. I particularly like the book Stargirl because of the other students' reactions to Stargirl. In the beginning, her utter originality and uniqueness is perceived as wierd and shocking, then fascinating and appealling, and her style and mannerisms are mimicked. However, the tide turns, and the student body starts to detest and resent her, and even her boyfriend wishes she would come across as more regular. In the end, though, she allows her true personality to shine through, and everyone realizes that they were silly for hating her and they admire and respect and follow her figurative shining beacon of innocent, pure originality. And her ex-boyfriend realizes he was a jerk. Later on, she sends him a tie with a skunk (I think it was a skunk) on it as a symbol that she forgave him. Stargirl was a heroine and incredibly brave and strong. I admire her very much.

And I thought the character had to be fictional, but it turns out it doesn't. I also admire Mathatma Gandhi (role model #1) and Martin Luther (role model #2).

Mum's the word.

I can't come up with anyone to use as an example.It's not because I can't think of anyone [I know .. I just contradicted myself] but it's because I can't beside who to choose.

I think everyone wins their own little battles. Everyone does something wheather they know about it or not. Every single person effects every single person. No matter what anyone does it always gets to someone else and effects them in some way.Wheather that's for better or for worse.

I think the Day of Silence is a good idea. Though I don't see how being quiet really helps, but it's one person's way to stand up for what they believe in. The whole day, to me, is to show how many people care about people they've never even met sometimes. This day is set in place to show this. I think it's a wonderful idea and should continue.

Now if we could come up with an idea to help those who LOVE to talk to help on this day too.
=]

Day of Silence; My story

My story about someone who was stood up for is about me. Some probably know that I played baseball for Twin Town Little League, yes a baseball league containing only boys mainly. I played baseball from four years old and on. Many of the boys didn't like me and called me very mean names. But i didn't let that stop me from playing. Every year I played baseball and couldn't wait until there was a game. But the coaches on the other hand, were very mean. Some coaches not all. One coach I had told me that I would be batting and that he would throw the baseball over the plate so that i could hit it. Instead he would throw the baseball's at my back when I was walking up to the plate. He told me that he was teaching me a lesson. Then another coach said that i wold never be better than his son(I was good and possibly better than him), so he told I would be sitting every game for three innings and that;s what happened.
But there was also some coaches that stuck up for me. One in particular, he stuck up for me, told me that I was better than half the boys on the team and he told me that I was the best hitter on the team. Another coach, said I made all stars which a kid said that I paid the coach. Another coach told me that I was the best baseball player he's ever seen. Even though I didn't say anything because I 'm very very very shy, they stuck up for me and made sure that i wasn't picked on.
I do admire these people very much and this year I admire Kit Collins for making me believe in myself on my artistic talent.

I didn't do anything special for Earth Day. Please don't interpret this as 'I don't care about the enviroment.' I do!! I often walk home from school, try hard to turn lights off when needed, my family recycles and I do yard work.

How I look at the Earth is usually very different than how others look at the Earth. This may annoy some people but that's okay. I believe that God is the one truly in control of this Earth. The Bible says that God is the one holding all things together and I believe it. The Earth will change in major ways wether we like it or not . . . we've got to learn to bend. I'm not completely convinced that Global Warming is occoring. I was bugged by alot of the info in Al Gore's movie. Not all of it's true. He claims all scientists agree on Global Warming . . . Wrong!! Why on Earth should I believe other stuff? I want to hear other views.

When God first created Earth, he named man stewards of the Earth. We are absolutely supposed to care for the Earth! It's our responsibility. Our goal, however is to care for the Earth not to control it.

Earth Day!! Whoopee!

SENEY'S RESPONSE



Earth day. Let's see. Honestly, I didn't remember until I got home from school and saw Oprah. She had a special show for Earth Day. I ended up watching it. It was quite interesting and comical. She talked about little ways to help the environment. I learned about some things, for example, all the chemicals in body products. It was incredibly shocking! I didn't really do anything special for Earth Day, but lately my dad, my brother, and myself have been working on a vegetable garden. That counts, right? I mean, my dad is planning a HUGE garden with almost every vegetable you can name!! Unfortunately, my brother and I get the crappy jobs like weeding. :( But now I think I can look at it in a different way. I'm helping the environment by weeding, allowing the vegetables to grow. So, maybe it's not all that bad. My dad is also going to have a pretty large berry garden. (my dad LOVES to garden) We practically have our own orchard! But that doesn't take too much care and the reward is delicious! My mom and dad have been buying energy saving lightbulbs, so that's good. But there's a downside to them. There's mercury in the special lightbulbs, so one has to be careful when disposing them. On the Oprah show I also learned that using reusable bags for grocery shopping or any other kind of shopping can save many trees. The plastic bags used for bagging purchases aren't any better. It takes about 1,000 years for a plastic bag to decompose. That's a LONG TIME!! I turn off the water when I brush my teeth too. I guess I do more things to save energy than I thought. I think that if everyone does something, no matter how small, it could make a change. Our world is very fragile and we all need to do something to preserve it.

To me the earth is a very controversial subject. There is no doubt that we are making an effort to fix our mistakes, and as humans use more eco/energy efficient products. These efforts need to be supported by not just the U.S., but the entire world. The nation who is guiltier of this crime than we are, a nation whose factories give off emmisions, and whose mines pollute like there is no tomorrow. China needs to be a part of this effort as much as anyone, but as their economic growth continues, the less they care about the envirornment, and the more they care about the continued growth. Another topic which greatly angers me is the rising gas prices. The prices I believe are the root of all of the soaring prices in grocery products. To transport the goods it requires large quantities of transportation services, mainly 18 wheeled trucks. These trucks use ridiculous amounts of gasoline, therefore costing the company more money on gasoline. With this increase in price for gasoline the company has to charge the manufacturer or farmer more to transport his goods, and the farmer has to charge the customers more for the product. This to me is a domino effect, and can only be fixed by either coming up with solutions for alternative fuels, or negotiating with the oil companies to set regulations on the prices for oil.

There's Some Hot Air Blowin 'Round Here

The price of gas is inflated, and not for the reason that many people think. There is an over abundance of raw and refined gasoline, but the gas companies are rising prices to gain more and more money from the public. And you can guess why the government isnt doing too much about; much of their revenue is garnerned from taxing on gasoline. Where do you Bush came from? Texas! And guess what Bush supports? The mining, refining, and usage of gasoline, thats what! Do you any of you how much money it costs to operate a deep sea mining platform? 500,000 dollars per day. And even better, they have budgets of over 1 billion dollars per year. Think of all the great things that could be used with that kind of cash. When has alternative energy ever had that kind of funding? If we diverted the funding for these kinds of massive, and not to mention harmful projects, then we may be able to finally produce a better sort of fuel. The same thing goes for other science projects that could potentially help the world.
For my own part, i try to cut down on using electronics such as turning all the lights off except for one while im reading or doing homework. I also use a metal canteen instead of water bottles to sav on using and throwing away too much plastic. Organic foods are for me, and by not supporting the pesticide producing farms, they lose money for using such poisons.

Looks Like A Job For...Captain Planet!

I always like to think I'm doing my part when it comes to beating up tyrannical lumberjacks and resuscitating various woodland critters (only) when needed, but when I think it over, I'm a lazy conservationist. Don't misunderstand - I never feel more relaxed than when I surround myself with nature, to look on a world unconscious of itself but still perfectly balanced and ever-changing, connected and unique. We can never truly be a part of it, we may never completely understand it, but nature is the basis of our thoughts, the cornerstone of our innovation. It was our start, and it will be our end - sooner than we think, if we don't shape up.

With that cheery thought brought to light, I will reiterate that the efforts I make to protect our fellow living beings are not always tangible. I would be content to do nothing the rest of my life but study life on Earth and work to protect what's left. But I still need time, time to see the problem from a greater distance and throw myself into the fray without doubt. I could never fully commit myself to such an undertaking if I couldn't see where I was going with my work. So what I do now, I do because I fully understand why I feel I should do it.

Every spring around the middle of May, I plant trees. I don't do this because I think it's the only way I can ever contribute to the solution, nor do I do it because hundreds of advertisements have told me it's my solemn duty to suddenly change our ways. I do it because I see all life-forms as both a work of art and a great manifestation of the joyful mystery of life. What better way to spread art and life, to get so personal with another living thing that it becomes clear that we're not so different? Along with simply educating myself on the energy-ecology crisis and thinking over ways to turn the tide, helping and seeing life spread gives me a never-ending motivation to see that we all make it over this obstacle, human or otherwise. It's something we should all take into account at some point on Earth Day - why do we do what we do? When we can answer that, it may make changing to energy-efficient bulbs and buying that new hybrid car a lot easier for us.

melissa's earth day Hoooraaaayyy

For the environment, my family always recycles our plastic bottles, cans and glass. We also bring them to the supermarket to recycle. Also our house has the light bulbs that aren't harmful to the environment.. i forgot what there actually called though.
To become less dependent on foreign fuel products we have to create and distribute an automobile not powered on chemicals and substances harmful to the environment. Although some exist, they are soooooooo expensive that an average family can't consider buying such an efficient car. However the car is powered [ solar, hydrogen..] this has to be available to most parts of the world, therefore there wouldn't be a relience for foreign fuel products.
I think i have made a change to how i live because i am very conscious of litterring and i deffinately used to litter which i feel soo stupid that i did. I would throw gumrappers or whatever but i don't do that anymore! and from now on i am going to not drink poland spring bottles everyday because that uses so much plastic. I am going to try to bring a hrad plastic bottle which i can refill everyday. For a happy belated earth day i am going to not drink a poland spring bottle everyday!!!!!

- melissa Roff

Earthhhhhhhhhhhhhhh =]]

Earth day is a very important day for The human on the earth. We are basically the one of the only living creatures on this earth that can save it. We all take everything for granted and and dont realize how much of an impact we are making. When you over run your well, not only are you wasting the water and cost you as a person a TON of money... you are taking away all of the water that animals and every living thin gon the planet is depending on. I mean honestly... isnt that a little greedy. Yes i know... i sound like a total "tree hugger" but i dont think people truely realize what its come down to. Yes your older folk who maybe sitting on your front porch smoking a ciggarette while reading this are just saying shes just an ignorant teenager who doesnt know what shes talking about... or you as a drug abuser old or young reading this in disbelief need to realize that not only are you killing yourself with lighting your ciggarrete... but your killing everyone around you. Your family. Your friends. You. Not only would i be suprised at how ignorant i was if i did all this... i would be ashamed at the fact that your going to read this and blow it right off your shoulders as if it was nothing. And I know that ciggarettes arent the only thing that is killing our world... its alot of things. But ciggarrettes arent a nessessity. they can be easily elliminated if you would just try. just a little determination and a little will power is all it takes.
Im not a tree hugger. And im not one of those perfect "soccer mom" kinda people, but you have to be straight up stupid to continue smoking. I really dont care if you decide to kill yourself and do that stuff. thats your choice and if your willing to deal with that you can. but its the effect on our world that this truely is for. Our world is slowly detiriorating and your speeding up the prosses. Round of applause for you! You should feel real proud. So as this little essey is coming to an end. i hope you take something out of this and at least try. try foryourself. try for the world.

Wake up. You're alive. We're on your side.

Last year, after graduation, our counselor walked up to me and said, "I can picture you becoming a lawyer and bringing up the underdog." And I just looked at her like she was crazy. I could see where she was coming from, because I do tend to bring up the underdog, but... no politics for me!

That was pretty random.

I adore Day of Silence. It's a time to really be courageous as a group of individuals who want to state a point. I hate when people use "gay" as a derogatory term. Like it's evil or bad that you're the way you are. You're human. People are made differently. People like different things, hate different things. But we're all people, aren't we? Sure, we can all have different views... but people shouldn't be prosecuted for things beyond their control. They shouldn't be prosecuted because they feel differently than you. Gay should only be used in two ways--the old school way to say HAPPY or to describe someone's sexuality.

You can put us down if it's only one of us standing up to you... but what are you going to do when it's a whole group? It evens out the numbers.

NO ONE should be harassed because of their feelings or beliefs. I am an athiest. I'm straight. I like purple. I have friends that believe in God more than they believe in themselves. I know so many people that struggle with the hardships of being put down for being gay/bisexual/lesbian, what have you. I have friends that think purple is ugly. Don't put other people down just because they don't think the way you do.

My rant is done. :]

--

Jamie Tworkowski, who started To Write Love On Her Arms has inspired me in so many ways and forms. He started a non-profit organization for a girl who was struggling with drug addiction and depression. He wrote a story (which can be viewed at http://www.twloha.com/the_story.php ...but it's some pretty heavy stuff so just take a deep breath if you want to read it) about the girl and they made t-shirts to help her through rehab. It suddenly turned into a movement of anti suicide and hope.

Jamie has helped me overcome my sadness and stand up for what I believe in. I'm not saying this to make everyone think that suicide and harassment are the same thing... but he has become such a role model for people like me that always wanted to stand up for what I believe in... and just didn't know how. The first step is AWARENESS. Once you get enough people together, you can move on from there.

I don't believe in everything Jamie says... he talks about God a lot and I am more of a FATE and KHARMA believer, but a lot of what he says can apply to anyone.

Part of his story:
..."The stars are always there but we miss them in the dirt and clouds. We miss them in the storms. Tell them to remember hope. We have hope."

I have watched life come back to her, and it has been a privilege. When our time with her began, someone suggested shifts but that is the language of business. Love is something better. I have been challenged and changed, reminded that love is that simple answer to so many of our hardest questions. Don Miller says we're called to hold our hands against the wounds of a broken world, to stop the bleeding. I agree so greatly.

Earth Day

This Earth Day I couldn't really do anything to help because I was at a track meet in Ballston Lake, blah blah blah. My dad and I were planning on walking down the road collecting garbage. But I was in Ballston Lake, blah blah blah, so I couldn't help him.Over the past years my brother and I have planted trees and flowers and plants and such. Of course with my mother, the gardner, we plant things CONSTANLY .. everywhere.
During the winter my family uses our wood stove [ thank godness we have one ] instead of using the oil and furnace for all our heat. Though this does use wood which cuts down trees, our house doesn't consume as much oil as other families may. Also the person we get our wood from replants trees after he cuts them down which renews the Earth of her natural resources.
Even though my famuly has three cars [ mom's, dad's, brother's ], we tend to car pool as much as possible.
Also, my family is a member of a CSA. That's a Community Supported Agraculture. We get fresh vegtables [lettuce,tomatoes,potatoes,carrots,etc.], beautiful flowers [mostly wild, but very pretty], and fresh cut meat [bacon,pork,chicken,turkeys]. All from on farm we get all this amazing food. This helps cut the cost of foods items [the supermarket is MUCH more expensive and has less than equal products] and the amount of traveling being done [ the farm is much closer].
Also within our house all the lightbulbs are FLUERECENT !!! YAY ! These bulbs use a lot less energy and are brighter.

I think everyone does a little for the Earth. Even if they don't mean to, or know so.

earth day

I didn't do anything differant that would help on earth day. But everyday, not just earth day i have been trying to save energy by turning off lights when I leave a room, and not letting the water run when I am not using it. Also, by not leaving the refigerator open too long looking for something. Another thing that my family does is recycle bottles, and cans. I think that gas will be really expensive when we drive because I can remember when the gas was a dollar something and now it is like close to four dollars about two years later. So gas doubled in price in two years. I will be probually driving in a year in a half and if gas doubles like it did when it went from a dollar something to close to four it would be close to eight dollars. So, not that many people will be driving as much. So, I am going to try and save more energy even more than I have been. I will try to turn more lights off, save water, and keep recycing.

Earth Day!

To make this world more energy secure I do a number of things. For instance somedays I walk to the store that is down the road from my house. Also I unplug my laptop and let the battery run down so it's not using up alot of electricity all the time. I turn off my lights when I leave the room I use the energy saving light bulbs and I recycle paper and bottles. To try and reduce the use of gasoline, my family tries to combine trips to places so we only have to leave the house a couple times a day. It kind of scares me how much gas prices are going up and I know that my family is cutting back on a few things, but what I think of is what will happen when it goes up more...what else will we be cutting back on? What won't we be able to do? So in order to try and make it so I can conserve energy I'm going to try to take shorter showers, I'll be more willing to combine trips and I'm going to try and always unplug my laptop and turn off my tv when I'm not watching it.

Earth Day and what it means to me

People don't recycle because they don't have time too. Their day is... Get up, get dressed, get kids ready, make breakfast, pack lunches, send kids to school/daycare, go to work, come home, make dinner, do homework, go to bed. There's no time is a person's schedule to recycle or do things to help Earth. That's the reason why Americans don't recycle and that's why they don't help the environment. Yes... some people don't have kids but their day is basically the same as a person with kids. For the environment, I recycle plastic, tin cans, and glass objects. I recycle about every month and pick up garbage around my house.
I didn't celebrate Earth Day because I forgot that it was Earth Day and I try to help the Earth all year long not on just one day. I probably won't have a big celebration of Earth Day but I will try to save water, electricity, and recycle more.

Earth Day

I love earth day!!! I do try to save energy by turning off the lights when they dont need to be on. And I use the light bulbs that save energy. I always recycle paper and bottles. I wouldn't really say that I'm undertaking a task to make the world more eco-friendly but I'm also not doing totally horrible things. I'm really happy that Hannaford is doing away with plastic bags since they are doing damage and harm to wildlife. Yesterday on earth day Miller's gave out cloth bags instead of plactic. My family is planning on buying more so we can save the whales! It's really scary to thing about the is going to end, and we could be making it worse and come faster. I think I'm going to try to take shorter showers and save as much energy as I can.

Respect Your Mother....EARTH

So I guess I'm pretty hypocritical for acting all righteous about saving the planet and then forgetting that yesterday was Earth Day. Oh, well. Forgive me. Putting that aside, I do try to preserve the environment in the ways that I can, though maybe not always in the obvious ways. One of the big issues with our Earth is overconsumption -- not even necessarily of fuel, but of other resources as well. We're draining our planet of life with our overproduction of, um, products and our constant sapping of its fruitfulness and energy. So I try to limit the amount of materials I consume, or limit the amount of earth-unfriendly materials: I don't buy in excess -- for example, I don't buy many more clothes than I need; My family shops at the Food Co-op and we buy our things organic whenever possible; we recycle paper and cans and buy recycled paper products, too, sometimes. Also, many people are not aware of this, but producing MEAT takes a HUGE amount of energy.

***YES, THAT'S RIGHT, PETER KELLER, BEING VEGETARIAN ACTUALLY DOES HELP STOP GLOBAL WARMING!***

Sorry, that's been bugging me for a while. And my mom is vegan too, which means she tries not to eat any animal products at all, like dairy or eggs or milk protein! For anyone who was wondering, being vegetarian is TOTALLY easy and soy/tofu is REALLY, REALLY YUMMY. And every little bit makes a difference, and the average vegetarian saves 98 animals a year in addition to eating healthier and saving the planet. Additionally, it is a TOTAL MYTH that you can't eat a balanced diet if you're vegetarian. PETER KELLER!!!! I hope you're reading this.

Anyway...I hope to live my life very earth-consciously, and I try to currently. I am constantly nagging my little brother to turn off lights when he exits his bedroom. (Pet peeve.) I would like to add that my parents are extremely wonderful about this whole save-the-planet-and-act-conscious thing. They rock. :-) So, in conclusion, I hope to treat every day of my life like Earth Day, continue my Earthophilic actions and expand on them.

Earth day responce

People in general don't really care about the environment that much. I think this is partly because they don't get a day off from school/work, but there are other reasons why people don't really watch out for the environment. People tend to like to do things the easy way, but sometimes the easy way isn't always the right way. If we invested a little money for scientists to find a different source of energy for our cars/automobiles then we would be killing two birds with one stone. Our nation wouldn't have to support on foreign nations to supply our fuel and we would be cleaning up the environment a little. Thus makes sense right? But for some individuals this makes no scenes at all. They think that it is just easier to use gasoline and fossil fuels, they think that finding new energy sources is a wast of time. This is not the case at all. We need to help the world as it has helped us.

At home my family recycles and sometimes burns paper and things like that for bond fires instead of buying wood. We also conserve our water. Though sometimes my sister or brother forgets to turn off the water when they brush their teeth. My family also has a large garden in the back of our house containing veggies and fruits. I beileive my family does their part for the healthy wellfare of our world.

~Chelsea

Earth Day

I really like the idea of promoting rrecyling and many other things to help our earth, and that is what Earth day does. One thing that I don't like about the idea of earth Day is that it makes us think that if we only do good things like this once a year (on earh day) it will be fine, no its a little more serious than that. To help the Earth, I recyle plastic bottles, tin cans, and magazines. Also I used to have a compost heap but unfortunately I stopped doing it. I think I will start again though. Aslo, I try to save water, and to keep the lights off I usually make sure that I sweep my driveway instead of rinsing it with the hose to prevent nasty runoff becuasse I read somewhere that that is bad for the environment.

I guess that an example of a book in which the underdog was stood up for would be The Shadow Children Series by Margaret Haddix. In this series people are not alolowed to have three children. however these thrid children are still born and go into seclusion. Their struggles to survive and regain their freedoms are what the whole thing is about. Several teenage heroes arise out of this strife and take charge of the situation. The way that the author shows how they suffer from this discrimination and how badly they want to live a normal life was at the time, very moving. While this is an extreme situation, even a more normal setting this kind of bullying exists and people get hurt because of it. It happens to me every once and a while from people who are ignorant and judge of appearance. All you need to do to stop this is to simply prove them wrong. However, sometimes people are too scared. In this case, What is need is someone to step and in help that person. More often than not, this never happens. But when that rope is thrown, it makes a world of difference to that one victim.

Bullying

In Jerry Spinelli's Stargirl, the main character, Stargirl, is eccentric, kind and courageous. She had been homeschooled for her primary schooling, so when she decided to go to a public highschool for her secondary edu, she had a lot to learn, not only intelectually, but socially as well. She doesn't understand or care for stereotypes or trends, and her peers love her for this and her kindness, at first. She doesn't judge anyone, just accepts them for who they are. In fact she even started a few trends by just being herself. However, the other students began to dislike her unconditional kindness, and open-minded attitude. Soon they begin to dislike, and even hate her for it, she tries not to change, but eventually she gives into the pressure and bullying, and conforms. In the end, when she can no longer stand conforming, and going against her true nature, she returns to her old ways, despite the fact that no one will even talk to her (with a few exceptions).



I think when Stargirl first arrvies at the highschool she represents innocence, and naiveness, but as she is exposed to the cruel public highschool students they slowly try to corrupt and bully her into becoming like everyone else. She manages to do what many have been unable to do, resist the bullying, and continue to be exactly who she is. I think it is difficult not to admire her, not only does she resist peer pressure and bullying, but she is incredibly kind and opened minded. I would love to be like that, and I do try to be openminded and kind, and resist peer pressure, but it doesn't always work out so well. I think she is free to be herself, despite what anyone thinks of her, a quality anyone can admire.

I'm doing th day of silence this year, however, I do have some conflicting feelings about it. We're supposed to be raising awareness about bullying by doing it, but I don't see how being silent is going to help. We should have a day where a bunch of people dress up super crazy and just talk about how bullying affects the victims. This way, people who didn't know or care about other people being bullied might at least be aware of the reprecussions. By being silent, we can't possibly inform as many people than if we were talking about bullying. I'm doing it this year because I think it that the project has good intentions, even though I think that there are better ways to inform people.

Katie Schultz

In Drillbit Taylor, there were three boys going to their first day of high school and finally trying to be cool. They did everything that they could to look there best and make the other kids like them. On the first day of school the new kids noticed a small kid being beat up, picked on, and humiliated in front of the whole school. The new kids wanted to be cool and the kids new if they helped this poor little kid that it would be social suicide, but they helped him anyway because they knew that it was the right thing to do. You would think that they would be fine, but no. Now those mean bad kids hated them and did every thing they could to pick on them and intimidate them. The boys tried to hire a bodyguard for protection, but all they could afford was Drillbit Taylor, who in fact had no bodyguard experience, and was a hobo living on the streets. At first, Drillbit just wanted to get money from the kids, but eventually they grew closer and they felt like family. Because I cannot write the whole movie right now I will tell you the rest in a short version. So then the kids find out who Drillbit really is and get very mad and end up hating him. But when the three kids go to fight those bad kids and to stand up for themselves, they get beat up really bad. But wait! That’s where Drillbit Taylor jumps in and saves them. The boys and Drillbit are forever friends. The end.
In conclusion, the kids had no idea that they would gain so many new friends for standing up for them or themselves. I think that it is very important to stand up for kids who are getting picked on because it will be good for you in the long run. In addition to that I think that it is important to stand up for yourself because if you don’t you will feel bad about you self and you won’t have any respect for yourself. If you don’t have respect for yourself, then nobody else will.

Environment

I see the environmental crisis as a serious problem, however it feels very detached from everyday life and is hard to focus on. The whole thing seems surreal and as such, it is hard to take practical steps forward. There are some things me and my family have done to help though. As along as I can remember we have always recycled all of our plastic and metal goods, as well as burning most non-toxic garbage. This saves space and discourages landfills, as well as reducing our impact due to the recycling. Unfortunatlely, my parents insist on driving large cars, and this is just an ideal that falls before practicality. It is just not worth it to buy a new car. We were very unaware of the problem at the time we bought them. I am very aware of the problem, but it is hard to change behavior pattern you have had your whole life. I will probably not be doing anything for earth day, and this is simply because I am human, meaning that sometimes it just feels good to cast away worries.

Earth Day

I didnt celebrate Earth Day to be honest. I dont feel that one day should be deticated and people should only care about it for that one day. My family adopted a highway road and we clean up the trash about 2 times a year. Were going to clean up the road next weekend. As for trying to extend our pocket money, our family has decided that milk will only be used for breakfast because it costs so much at the moment and that were getting new cars that are fuel efficent. As for me personally, I wish I could invent a new energy source for two reasons. One it would help our environment and I would become insanely rich. Maybe even compete with Bill Gates my research project =) I dont think that I'll have a belated earth day project because I tend to help all year long ( accept winter).

Earth Day

My family has always been energy concious, if not for the Earth, then for the price. We keep our house at 60 degrees or lower in the winter, and have no air conditioning in the summer. Also, my mom and dad drive somewhat energy efficient cars, they get about 30-40 MPG. However, recently, with all the hype over global warming and pollution we have made some changes. In the past I might leave the Tv on while I'm not watching it or leave a light on in a room that no one is in, I still do this sometimes, but definetly not as often as I used to. I've never left the water on while brushing my teeth so I didn't change that.....What else?.....Oh, my Dad recently purchased some of those fluroscent bulbs that use less energy. We didn't do anything to celebrate Earth Day yet =( but I was thinking about getting some trees to plant, or making a donation to the Amercian Forests Organization or the Arbor Day Foundation.

earth day

I care about our environment and to help save it i am recycling and reusing bottles. I also turn off anything electric when im not using it and I yell at my family when they dont. Ive always done these things though. We should be less dependent on foregien fule sources because then the prices of gas will go down. My family doesnt really worry about the money so much because we havent cut back on anything like shopping or re-doing our house. I havent really changed the way i live becuase i like my lifestyle. But i have recycled and re-used bottles. When i was little i used to plant a tree on earth day but this year i was too busy with sports and homework. I would like to plant a tree and I probably will because we have stupid nieghbors and the trees will prevent us from seeing them.

kristin bradley

Earthy

To stop foreign dependency we need to work on Bio diesel fuels. These burn cleaner and are cheaper. They can help save our hurting planet. As a child i used to litter a lot thinking its only 1 little piece of trash it cant hurt anyhting but if everyone did this it would be a problem. To help sdave the earth we should all take care not to let water run, pick up trash, and use less gas. As a project to save the earth i will die (when im old) and my body will replenish the soil.

I think that at one point in life everyone has been made fun of for something, and its not a cool feeling.

Friday is recognized as a day of silence for for gay people or supporters or whatever, and that is what most people see it as. I think it is cool idea if it is for sticking up for the under dog. Now i don't dislike gay people, i have a gay uncle, i just don't agree with the actions cause it is not the natural way of life.

A good example of a person that sticks up for the underdog i think could be robin hood.
Every one probly knows the story of robin hood and how he looked out for the people who were getting taken advantage of by the king. Robin Hood did not let the king get away with taking advantage of the people, he made sure the people were well takin care of and in a sence gave them a voice. By the rich "important" people Robin Hood was not a cool dude, they did not like him at all because he was standing up for the underdog and going against the popular thing. But by the poor unpopular people he was a hero. They liked him becaue he was not like the rest of the people who looked down on them, he helped them out, and to them he was a cool dude.

I like people like this. Going against the rest, and standing up for what you belive is right. I dont always think what some stands for is right but i admire the fact that they are standing for somthing.

The environment has become a very delicare thing over the last few decades. The fix these problems everyone must make many sacrafices to help conserve energy as well as save unneccasary expensises for out families. To help the globe and my family achieve this i have been trying to make some sacrafices. Sometimes while im home along i turn off all the lights and just upen the blinds in my room to get natural light. I also car pool alot to save gas. instead of asking my mom to pick me up from baseball practice me and my friends run a schedule. One day my mom picks us up the next kyles mom the next tylers. We all live relatively close so it works out. i hope that everyone will continue to make these sacrafices becuase all the little things help alot and it is our only way out.