Response to "Why We Flirt"

I agree with this article and found it very interesting to read because it was so honest and blunt about the truth of humans and their flirtacious ways. I don't think half of the time people realize that the little gestures made towards another sex is considered flirting. Most people would agree that it's more verbal, but it was very interesting to see that really it's not. I agree that humans are created to flirt and be attracted to other people. I think that it is something we really cannot control nor can you stop, but I do know that there are limits. Some people would use "not being able to help it" as an excuse for flirting when it's done for attention. I think many people do this because they are single, but they want to see how many eyes they can catch so they can feel a certain fulfillment. Many times you can notice when those certain people are doing it intentionally, and you'd think it's almost pathetic. But the thing that's more sad is when someone is flirting out of habit, and don't even realize their doing it.

Response to "When You Have to Shoot First"

I found this article to be very interesting. It merely discussed what is moral or what is immoral when it comes to shooting someone. Whether you're protecting yourself, going with instinct, or it simply being a 'freak' accident. I think in the sense of protecting yourself, in relevance to Eldad's story that took place in Lebanon, it is necessary to do whatever is needed to be done to protect your own well-being or even that of another person. If someone is repeatedly attacking you and shooting at you, your initial reaction is always going to be to attack back; whether that person is killed/wounded or not. Relating to the scenario of the police officer shooting at a man in a trench coat on a hot summer day due to suspicion, I don't think it's morally right but I do think it was right coming from his instincts. Despite that one man's life was ended, the police officer could've actually saved hundreds of lives if this man was really a suicide bomber. But I guess being trained to judge and act on instinct is the price some of those police officers pay to protect our society.

Response to "Iraqi Kids Play Make-Believe War Games"

I agree that children, not even just Iraqi children, who are introduced to violence at such a young age are more likely to grow up being violent. The silly games that are played and the toys that are sold now-a-days make it seem like it's almost okay for this to be happening, but parents then reprimand the children for playing such make-believe games. But it's not make-believe for these Iraqi children. It's reality. And despite that they think it's a game, they also realize at the same time that what they play around with is also what is happening around them and they know that it could really happen to them. I think in order to make this stop, toy stores need to stop producing and selling play weapons and concentrate on the more important things that a child should be doing at such a young age. To me it's common sense, but apparently to others it's a big issue to do so.

Response to "Al Gore"

Global warming has repeatedly been an issue with our planet, and was brought up by Al Gore with his opinions being supported by other people including scientific professionals. I think that those who disagree with this matter don't understand it at all. It's obvious that global warming is a major issue and it's even more obvious that things along these lines are causing natural disasters such as hurricane katrina and such. I think a lot of why our planet is the way it is, is due to how the people living in this world care and treat it. I think it's rediculous how people want to live and take for granted what the world has to offer, but no one wants to put their differences and issues aside to take a moment and do what they can or do their part in taking care of our planet. With this happening, nothing will be fixed.

Response to "I have a dream."

Martin Luther King Jr. changed our country for the better because he stood up for what he thought was right for our country and our land. Despite that so many people doubted his thoughts and completely disagreed with his views, he continued to stand up for his beliefs in civil rights. Not only did Martin Luther King Jr. stand up for blacks, but he also had courage to stand up for other genders and people that were of different races and religions. Although he was not some soldier, the President, or any other elected official Martin Luther King Jr. is still, to this day, considered an Americann hero for changing our country in the positive ways that he did.

Response to "Your Gamete, Myself."

This article was very interesting to me. It showed two possibilities families have to have children, if they are unable to conceive their own. Many women, or men, have complications and are left wondering if they will ever be able to start their own family. These decisions include adoption or in vitro fertilization. I think that it is all up to the family, and really I don't think I could say which I would choose because I feel like you need to be in the situation to know what's right.

I think, though, that many couples look for details in families from which they'll adopt from or whatnot, that are completely unnecessary. Things such as hair color, skin color, and eye color are considered, but I don't think that those things should even matter. What matters is that these couples will be able to have a family, when before they were unable to do so. They should feel blessed to have someone that can be theirs to begin with.

Response to "Facebook: Why I Hate It..."

When I began reading the article "Facebook: Why I hate it..." I soon began thinking back to when I was first introduced to this online networking addiction. It had started out from just having my few closest friends. After all, they're the ones that guilted me into getting one. But I agree with Sarah Kliff's opinions on how much time of her life Facebook has taken over. I, too, find myself checking updates on friends and what everyone is doing practically any free minute I get or when I'm just bored. You see news reports, articles, and comments made by others about how dangers these networking sites have become (esp. Myspace) and yet, our world is still pulled into these things like it's nothing. I never really thought about how much I'm truly missing out on just by simply getting online on my laptop, but it's eye-opening that so many people consume their time by being online this site. Facebook, instant messager, myspace, texting, and all of the other forms of communication online have become the new way to simply just have a conversation with someone. It's amazing how the world has changed, and how negatively it's looked upon. All in all, I think that young people need to keep their head out of the laptop, and more in the books. I'm sure these things influence learning statistics, which is just another problem.