Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Why Kill the electric car?
I remember vaguely hearing about the electric car years ago. But not until it was already coding and past the point of resuscitation. Seems like a great concept. Why was it not marketed better? It was never meant to take off, this is also why this car was never equipped to travel long distances. Road trip anyone? Not in the electric car because after 100 miles you would need to stop and recharge. What business is going to let one charge their battery without paying for the electricity used to charge it. It's hard to even get a free cup of water anymore! Maybe oil companies should have looked into electricity stations to "recharge". If any business has the funds to abruptly change the product their marketing it would be the oil companies. Change takes time and the electric car was definitely not given enough time to take off. Who knows, maybe resuscitation is possible after all.
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Fly Girls
I'm definitely an advocate for women's rights and putting an end to gender bias practices, so when I saw the documentary "Fly Girls" I had to watch it. Plus it helped that it was at the public library so I didn't have to pay to watch it.
This documentary is about the first women to become aviators during WWII. In 1941 over 1,000 women trained to become aviators and went to fight with Great Brittan. Then in 1942 the United States started their own program called the WASPS (Women's Air force Service Pilots). These women served their country by flying military planes stateside so their male counterparts could join the war over sea. The women of WASP were not considered military armed service members, but were stationed at military bases and received military aviation training. Thirty-eight women died while this program was run and the U.S. military did not return their bodies home, give their families death benefits, a flag, gold star, or even a military burial. Although the military did use these women as aviation instructors, trainers, and test pilots. In 1944 women were used to "show" male military aviators that flying the B29 was safe and could be used as described in its manual for war time efforts.
Overall I enjoyed this documentary and would say that it is what I think of as a "traditional" documentary. The films agenda was to simply educate the viewer about women aviators during WWII, which it did. The information was given for you to think what you like of it, and to take what you wanted. This was empowering to see so many women during that time rise to the occasion and represent women in the field of aviation. I wonder why this was not part of the curriculum when I was educated on WWII.
This documentary is about the first women to become aviators during WWII. In 1941 over 1,000 women trained to become aviators and went to fight with Great Brittan. Then in 1942 the United States started their own program called the WASPS (Women's Air force Service Pilots). These women served their country by flying military planes stateside so their male counterparts could join the war over sea. The women of WASP were not considered military armed service members, but were stationed at military bases and received military aviation training. Thirty-eight women died while this program was run and the U.S. military did not return their bodies home, give their families death benefits, a flag, gold star, or even a military burial. Although the military did use these women as aviation instructors, trainers, and test pilots. In 1944 women were used to "show" male military aviators that flying the B29 was safe and could be used as described in its manual for war time efforts.
Overall I enjoyed this documentary and would say that it is what I think of as a "traditional" documentary. The films agenda was to simply educate the viewer about women aviators during WWII, which it did. The information was given for you to think what you like of it, and to take what you wanted. This was empowering to see so many women during that time rise to the occasion and represent women in the field of aviation. I wonder why this was not part of the curriculum when I was educated on WWII.
Monday, November 3, 2008
Don't Supersize That!
I had never seen the documentary "Super Size Me" before.But after watching half of it in class, I'm no longer eager to eat fast food. I have taken both of my kids to fast food joints, and now feel terrible for having done so.
While watching "Super Size Me" I was saddened to see how many kids could identify popular fast food icons, but not historical figures. I was left feeling guilty. My 13yr. old knows quite a few historical figures I'm happy to say, but I really need to "get on the ball" with my 3yr. old. I'm eager to watch the rest of this. Oh and did everyone know that some 7Th graders here in Fairfax County are watching this in their "cooking" classes? This is interesting because my nephew and I are both watching this in school at 2 completely different educational levels.
The Last Half....
The movie was what I expected, but was slightly surprised by his liver function tests. A lot of damage was done in a short amount of time, and I'm not sure I would have stuck with it after having the doctors tell me not to. This was very geared toward one opinion. I expected a documentary to just present facts and let the viewer take what they want from it. This definitely was more narrow minded than what I would have expexted.
While watching "Super Size Me" I was saddened to see how many kids could identify popular fast food icons, but not historical figures. I was left feeling guilty. My 13yr. old knows quite a few historical figures I'm happy to say, but I really need to "get on the ball" with my 3yr. old. I'm eager to watch the rest of this. Oh and did everyone know that some 7Th graders here in Fairfax County are watching this in their "cooking" classes? This is interesting because my nephew and I are both watching this in school at 2 completely different educational levels.
The Last Half....
The movie was what I expected, but was slightly surprised by his liver function tests. A lot of damage was done in a short amount of time, and I'm not sure I would have stuck with it after having the doctors tell me not to. This was very geared toward one opinion. I expected a documentary to just present facts and let the viewer take what they want from it. This definitely was more narrow minded than what I would have expexted.
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
41 Pages
"The difficult part of an argument is not to defend one's opinion but to know what it is." -Andre Maurois
This chapter is kind of like a dictionary to me, something to be referenced, not read. I see why we're reading this chapter before we write our next paper, but again a good skim or two is really what you need to do. If you do this, then you're good to write your paper with this chapter by your side. This was easier to read if you jump around a bit insead of reading page after page. I may not have read every possible word, but I was able to understand the "jist" of this chapter.
This chapter is kind of like a dictionary to me, something to be referenced, not read. I see why we're reading this chapter before we write our next paper, but again a good skim or two is really what you need to do. If you do this, then you're good to write your paper with this chapter by your side. This was easier to read if you jump around a bit insead of reading page after page. I may not have read every possible word, but I was able to understand the "jist" of this chapter.
What to Argue...
Okay a few possible topics: Mental Healthcare, Children's rights (pertaining to custody hearings), Bi-racial people claiming only one of their races, Catholics contrary to popular belief are not "Mary worshippers", Early childhood education. I'm really not sure, hopefully I have time to figure this out.
Monday, September 29, 2008
In Reference to James
I read several of James' blogs, and they are truly addicting. I read "2020" and liked the title because in hind site everything is "2020". I also read a "Green Winter" and "My SUV and Me" which were both intriguing. I have lived in NE and CO where I enjoyed nice "white" Christmases and have a hard time getting into the full Christmas spirit without snow. This made it easy for me to relate to James' article. The elation they felt when it finally snowed is how I feel when we Virginians receive our first "real" snow of the winter. Last year I never felt that elation as we didn't get a "real" dumping of snow in our area. James has started my wheels turning and has inspired me to look for ways that I too can be a little bit "greener". Alright I'd love to write more and probably will later, but class is starting!
Chapter 4 Using Images to Drive Home Your Point
I found this chapter interesting and it made me think about the use of images. I have to say, I find it hard to decide on where to draw the line on what images should be published. I do believe though that the media should respect a families wishes when they have asked for their loved ones photos not to be used. Just because the media can access an image does do give them the right to air it. It's a hard call though and really the use of any image is a judegment call. I think one should think very hard before using an image which may be contreversial and decide if it is really needed to make a point.
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