Dear old Frost.

"Acquainted with the Night" By: Robert Frost

I have been one acquainted with the night.

I have walked out in rain -- and back in rain. I have outwalked the furthest city light. I have looked down the saddest city lane. I have passed by the watchman on his beat And dropped my eyes, unwilling to explain. I have stood still and stopped the sound of feet When far away an interrupted cry Came over houses from another street, But not to call me back or say good-bye; And further still at an unearthly height, O luminary clock against the sky Proclaimed the time was neither wrong nor right. I have been one acquainted with the night.

This poem written by my favorite poet Robert Frost, is amazing. The speaker talks about the the night and what they've experienced during it. It's almost like they're saying that they know what goes on at night, and yet there's almost nothing they can do about it. When it comes to all the crime and wrong that takes place at night, people don't really pay any mind. They simply leave it alone because they don't really know what to do about it, or they are too scared to do anything about it, or they don't want to do anything about it.

I also interpret this poem as the speaker talking about a sort of connection they have with the night. Almost like they've seen mostly everything takes place at night, and they're used to it.

And by the time the sun comes up, it's all over. Whether it be crime, or the connection; it's just gone.

When reading this poem, the setting I see is a really late night in the city. I hear sirens going off, people lurking around corners, and some young people walking back from parties. And then "O luminary clock against the sky" tells me that the sun has risen, and all is over. The night is gone and a another brand new day begins.

Really? Is this what we've come to?

The CNN News article today read, "Dead Bear Wears Obama-Biden Sign". It took me no longer than two seconds to understand that the title said enough. The article told me that some people had attempted to protest Obama's candidacy through a cruel and sick act. It said that the people responsible had shot a bear cub in the head, dragged the animal on to the Western Carolina University campus, and draped two Obama-Biden posters over its perished body. The police contacted the local Wildlife Resources officials to move the body, and help with the investigation. 

Not only was this an act of cruelty, barbarism, inhumanity, viciousness, evil, and just plain wrongness, it was an act against our nation. An act that prominently states that our citizens have lost the true definition and meaning of the word democracy. This act manifests the immaturity and irrationality of our generation today; the generation that will be running this homeland of ours in the near future. The twisted act is not the thing that truly frightens me, it is the fact that this isn't the worst they can do. This was merely a threat. Before long it'll be the real thing, and our country will be in a disarrayed state of chaos and fear. 

Politics used to be exciting, an adrenaline rush! It was a realm in which people were able to express their thoughts, opinions, and morals even. It used to be something that introduced new ideas and systems. Politics made the world a better place! Now one looks at politics and society and sees tabloids, racism, prejudice, uneducated judgments, and corruption. What happened to accepting people's opinions and ideas? Their race and their heritage? Their religion and creed? Has all of that disappeared? Did it even ever exist at all? For some reason, it seems like this type of crime is getting worse and worse. Maybe it's just the media, or maybe I'm just growing up and seeing more of the world for what it is.

But if this is the way the world is, and the occurrence of something so beautiful and so great turning in to something so undesirable and so ugly is common, then I don't want to see it. Seeing the world's beauty and it's creatures being destroyed is not something that is particularly at the top of my to-do list. Maybe ignorance truly is bliss, because the profound act that I read about today is definitely something I would've gladly turned my back to. 

Obama? McCain?

During the last couple of months, U.S. citizens have been pressured to make the right decision in their choice of presidency in the elections. Will it be McCain? Or will it be Obama? Democrat or Republican? Who will save us from this economic crisis? Who will make a move on improving health care and bettering the country's safety? For the first time, people are actually paying full attention, and young people are actually getting involved. 

For this week's blog, I read a BBC News article on the Obama vs. McCain presidential election. It didn't exactly surprise me when I read about how terrified people are, and how little they trust the government now. Everyone's scared to go unemployed (if they aren't already), they're scared of not being able to provide for their family, and they're scared of losing their lifestyle, and everything they know. And the only way to mollify those fears is believing in one of the candidates, and believing that one of them will make a huge difference. Honestly, nobody knows who's going to be a better president or at least handle it better. We're all just guessing, and investing our hopes on them. And those candidates are doing everything they can to win us over, and believe in them. People are doing just that because these leaders are all we have left. 

Reading this article made me realize how much Americans depend on the government, and how much they expect from the president. When something goes wrong, they blame the government, president, and all the people who voted for the president. If things are going really well, they thank them. But have people ever stopped and realized it's their actions as well that are contributing to whatever the nation is going through? For instance, our economy didn't crash because Bush wanted it to (but it's not like he did a whole lot to stop it). It crashed because of people's actions and their carelessness. People basically think that the perfect government is one that will stop anything bad from happening, which is half their responsibility. The other half of that responsibility lies in the people. Being a democratic country entails citizens semi-running the country. We're the wheels turning this nation, and if a few of the wheels stop turning because they feel like it and they think that the machine as a whole has got it covered, and the owner won't let anything happen to them, the machine isn't going to work anymore. There's only so much the others and the owner can do. Just like the U.S., and it's leaders, and people. 

More and more individuals are starting to realize their contributions matter, and are at least almost trying to make an effort at helping their country. Especially by paying more attention to their own actions, and the candidates. Young people have finally found their voices and their opinions, and are using them. This year's presidential election is one of the most important elections of  our history, and it will determine the state of our nation and what direction it's headed in. 

I thought it was India vs. Pakistan?

India and Pakistan have been in an undeclared, not-so-discrete-war, since 1946. For years the two nations have battled over the state of Kashmir. For years, Indians and Pakistanis have lined up along the border to defend their country, while at the same time, fight for Kashmir.

For this week's blog, I read a BBC News article on the India-Pakistan War, and what Kashmir's views are on the war. 

Since I was younger, my Indian family had always told me that Pakistan just wanted Kashmir for selfish reasons. They wanted Kashmir to make Pakistan bigger and more powerful than India ever was. They told me that all India wanted to do was keep Kashmir safe from Pakistan, and any harm that might come to the people. I'd always believed my family, and quite honestly, I also believed their horrible terrorist tales of "those blood-seeking Pakistanis". Although now that I'm older, I can see my family's childish prejudice against Pakistan. I ask myself now, how do they know why Pakistan wants Kashmir? And how do they know what Pakistanis are actually like if they avoid them at all costs? Why, all of a sudden, does this war seem so much more petty and childish than before? I felt like it was two divorced parents fighting over a child that they both really want for their own selfish reasons. And then, above all else, I ask myself, haven't they asked what Kashmir wants?

It was this article gave me my original answers, then started a whole new round. Half of Kashmir (the Muslims) wants to be an independent country, which is definitely out of the question. The other half of Kashmir would like to stick with India, the feeling of safety is a good one apparently. If one option is definitely our of the question, then the other option is the only option left, right? So why then is this war still going? It doesn't make any sense. Why are they still battling it out, and why are there still terrorists attacking India? What on earth has India done to deserve the continuous murdering of their citizens? I've read Pakistan's news, and the only sign of terrorism that I've found is coming from themselves. So why then, is India being attacked by them?

I have yet to find my answers. But I now know that I'm as prejudice as the next Indian.

Among the Betrayed

For my blog this week I read Among the Betrayed, by Margaret Haddix. This novel is one of five books from the Among the Hidden series. It takes place in our world, some time in the future. The population has grown to an outrageous amount, and food is very scarce. As a solution, the government has created a law stating that, you can only have two children per house hold. But, if a family has more than that, the Population Police kill the "extra" children. 

Luke Garner is a third child. He's been in hiding for all twelve years of his life. He can't go to school, it's rare if he's allowed outside, and his family tries very hard to hide any suspicious behavior. Next door, there is another third child, Jen. And ironically enough, her father is apart of the Population Police, working as a double agent. Luke immediately takes a liking to Jen. She's fiery, brave, and will do anything to legalize third children. It wasn't their fault they were born, she tells Luke at one point. They are not just third children, they're people as well. Sadly enough, Jen dies after she riots for third children. She was discovered, along with thirteen others. They were are killed that night.

After this, Luke was absolutely shaken. He wants to do everything he can for the legalization. He wants to be a fighter like Jen. But Jen was his inspiration, his motivation. And now, she's gone. Luke's terrified. He's never been in the real world, he's been in hiding his whole life and has no idea what to expect. And on top of that, he's educationally deprived. Luke needs to find and help himself before he can help anybody else. He's a really great character. And somehow, even though I'm quite sure no reader has ever experienced this sort of situation before, Margaret Haddix does an excellent job with helping the reader relate. And understand every last one of Luke's emotions. I wonder what he'll do though. His change and growth will surely be gradual, but I'm excited to see him fight for what so many third children want. What he wants. What Jen wanted. And how he'll fight is the most important question. 

The best answer I have right now is that, we'll see.