As told earlier on the blog, I've chosen to do a project on suicides in the United States. The statistics show that the US has one of the highest suicide rates in the world. Did you know that in the United States there's a person committing suicide every 16 minutes? Look at it this way; it simply means that 20 people have killed themselves during our English class today...
I've done research, gathered information and analyzed statistics. The writing remains.
In addition I intend to use the novel "The Virgin Suicides", by Geoffrey Eugenides; a fantastic and compelling novel about five bizarre teenage sisters who commits suicide.
tirsdag 31. mars 2009
onsdag 25. mars 2009
The Power of Media: Barack Obama on Jay Leno Show
Jay Leno is a famous man in America. He is famous because of his success with his talk show called “The tonight show” – a show which is has become legendary in American television history. When someone like Barack Obama appears on that show, it can result in both positive and negative consequences.
One of the advantages is obviously publicity. The Tonight Show is a very popular show with many viewers, and guests have the opportunity to reach out to various people. The setting in the show is sort of informal, this is the time to chill and talk about other stuff besides politics. This setting enables the viewers to get an insight in how Obama is when it comes to his personality – they simply get to know him better.
I believe this is an advantage.
All publicity is good publicity, can’t seem to find any disadvantages about Obama’s visit.
Take a look at Obama's visit at Leno's here: http://online.wsj.com/video/obama-on-the-tonight-show-with-jay-leno/0EDC9754-D988-42FE-A131-EC9C8EDEFD6C.html
One of the advantages is obviously publicity. The Tonight Show is a very popular show with many viewers, and guests have the opportunity to reach out to various people. The setting in the show is sort of informal, this is the time to chill and talk about other stuff besides politics. This setting enables the viewers to get an insight in how Obama is when it comes to his personality – they simply get to know him better.
I believe this is an advantage.
All publicity is good publicity, can’t seem to find any disadvantages about Obama’s visit.
Take a look at Obama's visit at Leno's here: http://online.wsj.com/video/obama-on-the-tonight-show-with-jay-leno/0EDC9754-D988-42FE-A131-EC9C8EDEFD6C.html
OneNote
OneNote is software developed by Microsoft to take and organize your notes. The program also provides opportunities for information gathering, and multi-user collaboration (this way members of a group can work offline, and all their work can later be synchronized).
OneNote can be used on any type of computer, but its full functionality is best suited for laptops, especially tablet computers (at which you can use your handwriting instead of a keyboard).
The interface is easy and reminds one of the classic old loose-leaf notebooks, and it can be used to collect pages which are printed with a virtual printer, information sent from other applications or files “dragged” directly into the application. The facilities I just mentioned combined with the fact that one can add media recordings or links, and that the program provides an ingenious print-screen-function, really makes this software suitable for collecting and organizing your information.
However, the thing I like the most in OneNote is its way of indexing, and how it allows me to search within all my information.
I will recommend OneNote – it is a VERY good program, but it’s kind of overrated. It won’t do the work for you even though someone describes it that way.
OneNote can be used on any type of computer, but its full functionality is best suited for laptops, especially tablet computers (at which you can use your handwriting instead of a keyboard).
The interface is easy and reminds one of the classic old loose-leaf notebooks, and it can be used to collect pages which are printed with a virtual printer, information sent from other applications or files “dragged” directly into the application. The facilities I just mentioned combined with the fact that one can add media recordings or links, and that the program provides an ingenious print-screen-function, really makes this software suitable for collecting and organizing your information.
However, the thing I like the most in OneNote is its way of indexing, and how it allows me to search within all my information.
I will recommend OneNote – it is a VERY good program, but it’s kind of overrated. It won’t do the work for you even though someone describes it that way.
lørdag 14. mars 2009
Northern Ireland situation
Rioting has been a part of Belfast's daily life since the arrests of three men in the killings of two soldiers in Northern Ireland. CNN, BBC NEWS and several other medias report that petrol bombs have been trown by angry men towards the police. Gangs of youths are occupating the streets, but no one has been injured... yet.
The two British soldiers were shot dead at a base in Massereene, in Antrim, while they were preparing for duties in Afghanistan. Two men with automatic rifles shot them as the soldiers picked up a pizza delivery at the barracks.
The situation is obviously difficult and I inted to follow it.
The two British soldiers were shot dead at a base in Massereene, in Antrim, while they were preparing for duties in Afghanistan. Two men with automatic rifles shot them as the soldiers picked up a pizza delivery at the barracks.
The situation is obviously difficult and I inted to follow it.
tirsdag 3. mars 2009
Written Senior Project
I've chosen to do a project on suicides in the United States. The statistics show that the US has one of the highest suicide rates in the world. The novel "The Virgin Suicides", by Geoffrey Eugenides, is a fantastic novel about five bizarre teenage sisters who commits suicide. I intend to use the book in my project.
The separation of powers
The French philosopher Charles de Secondat Montesquieu and his declaration "De l’esprit des loix" from 1748, is widely acknowledged as the philosophical and idealistic foundation of the principle of the separation of powers.
Montesquieu disliked the fact that the legislative power often acted as the executive one as well, and he worked hard to prevent this; for one thing he wrote an assertion stating: “When the legislative power is united with the executive authority in one and the same person (or in the same higher organ of a state), no freedom can be found because there will be tyrannical leaders who create laws only to execute them in a tyrannical way”.
His views and visions were a reaction to France’s more noble community’s massive waste of money and state resources. Montesquieu himself was exceedingly critical to the way that the king and his associates – richer persons like businessmen and the aristocracy– had governed the French state. His declaration and public disparagement of the state were both the forerunner and the actual triggering factor to the French revolution.
He introduced the world to a new way of dividing powers in a state, and I intend to discuss both the advantages and disadvantages (if there are any), of the principle of separation of powers.
WHAT THE PRINCIPLE INVOLVES
Here’s the deal: there are three branches: the executive, the legislative and the judicial. The executive branch is the governor. The executive’s job is to carry out the laws and make sure they are obeyed. Branch two: the legislative. Think legislature! Their job is simply explained: they are making laws. Thirdly, the judicial branch, made up of courts and judges. Their job is to make sure that the laws are fair.
So, what it is that makes this system special and has done it ever since 1789, is the fact that the US government actually works because these branches balance each other out. If one division goes too far, the others can simply pull it back. Let me exemplify it this way: each branch is responsible and conscientious for the things the other branches are not. Not only responsible, but so in charge that none of the other branches can do the other thing. For example; the executive branch can not make a law, the legislative branch can not decide whether a law is reasonable for everybody or not, and the judicial branch can not carry out a law.
There are some real benefits for you and me with this sort of deal. Think about it: if every branch could do the job of every other branch, then one could possibly take over. In other words, in a scenario like that, you would only need one branch, which means no more democracy. And no democracy is no good.
So, the next time somebody says that one branch or another should step in and set another branch aright, like telling the court how to do justice, think about what’s at stake; the answer to that is basically everything.
ARE THERE ANY DISADVANTAGES AT ALL?
I have discussed the principle of separation of powers with lots of different people lately, and when it comes to whether there are any disadvantages connected to this system or not, the opinions seem to differ. There are no known disadvantages of this system, but after several discussions I have decided to mention two aspects that may appear and be looked upon as if they were disadvantages.
1. Costly
Running and administrating the three branches of the state is often considered to be far more expensive and resource-demanding than maintaining one single government like in a unitary state.
2.Time-consuming
The branches are independent of one another, but sometimes new laws, requests and initiatives have to be negotiated through lengthy consultations between the three branches. Bureaucracy equals to slow processes.
CONCLUSION
The principle of separation of powers, which is the foundation of both the Norwegian and American state and constitution, is doubtlessly a system with more advantages than disadvantages. The system confines corruption and prevents any abuse of authority. The principle ensures that the execution of power is dispersed on three independent authorities.
One of the most popular benefits with this system is the fact that some of the power belongs to the people itself. They elect senators for the senate, and representatives for The House Of Representatives.
Montesquieu disliked the fact that the legislative power often acted as the executive one as well, and he worked hard to prevent this; for one thing he wrote an assertion stating: “When the legislative power is united with the executive authority in one and the same person (or in the same higher organ of a state), no freedom can be found because there will be tyrannical leaders who create laws only to execute them in a tyrannical way”.
His views and visions were a reaction to France’s more noble community’s massive waste of money and state resources. Montesquieu himself was exceedingly critical to the way that the king and his associates – richer persons like businessmen and the aristocracy– had governed the French state. His declaration and public disparagement of the state were both the forerunner and the actual triggering factor to the French revolution.
He introduced the world to a new way of dividing powers in a state, and I intend to discuss both the advantages and disadvantages (if there are any), of the principle of separation of powers.
WHAT THE PRINCIPLE INVOLVES
Here’s the deal: there are three branches: the executive, the legislative and the judicial. The executive branch is the governor. The executive’s job is to carry out the laws and make sure they are obeyed. Branch two: the legislative. Think legislature! Their job is simply explained: they are making laws. Thirdly, the judicial branch, made up of courts and judges. Their job is to make sure that the laws are fair.
So, what it is that makes this system special and has done it ever since 1789, is the fact that the US government actually works because these branches balance each other out. If one division goes too far, the others can simply pull it back. Let me exemplify it this way: each branch is responsible and conscientious for the things the other branches are not. Not only responsible, but so in charge that none of the other branches can do the other thing. For example; the executive branch can not make a law, the legislative branch can not decide whether a law is reasonable for everybody or not, and the judicial branch can not carry out a law.
There are some real benefits for you and me with this sort of deal. Think about it: if every branch could do the job of every other branch, then one could possibly take over. In other words, in a scenario like that, you would only need one branch, which means no more democracy. And no democracy is no good.
So, the next time somebody says that one branch or another should step in and set another branch aright, like telling the court how to do justice, think about what’s at stake; the answer to that is basically everything.
ARE THERE ANY DISADVANTAGES AT ALL?
I have discussed the principle of separation of powers with lots of different people lately, and when it comes to whether there are any disadvantages connected to this system or not, the opinions seem to differ. There are no known disadvantages of this system, but after several discussions I have decided to mention two aspects that may appear and be looked upon as if they were disadvantages.
1. Costly
Running and administrating the three branches of the state is often considered to be far more expensive and resource-demanding than maintaining one single government like in a unitary state.
2.Time-consuming
The branches are independent of one another, but sometimes new laws, requests and initiatives have to be negotiated through lengthy consultations between the three branches. Bureaucracy equals to slow processes.
CONCLUSION
The principle of separation of powers, which is the foundation of both the Norwegian and American state and constitution, is doubtlessly a system with more advantages than disadvantages. The system confines corruption and prevents any abuse of authority. The principle ensures that the execution of power is dispersed on three independent authorities.
One of the most popular benefits with this system is the fact that some of the power belongs to the people itself. They elect senators for the senate, and representatives for The House Of Representatives.
mandag 16. februar 2009
Movie: "The Constant Gardener"
Here are some of my thoughts about the movie THE CONSTANT GARDENER. I watched it some time ago and found it really interessting
RELATIONS BETWEEN THE WESTERN WORLD AND AFRICA
In the movie “The Constant Gardener”, relations between development- and industrial countries are “beautifully” and accurately illustrated. For many years, the differences between the poor countries in Africa and the consumer societies in the western world have been huge and many. Corruption and unfair abuse of power have been a problem for decades. In the movie, a typical corrupted industry is depicted. An alliance established by tainted, capitalistic leaders in Europe and corrupted, dishonored Africans shows us the dishonest co-operation that has existed for many years, and still does.
The problem is manifested in the movie through a pharmaceutical company pretending to have divine power when it comes to managing the lives and deaths of the innocent population. The movie is a reaction to this industry, which still exists. While doing research for this essay, I read that the movie is based on actual happenings from Kenya. Pharmaceutical companies are actually testing drugs on the citizens, resulting in many deaths. The bodies were, and they still are, being buried and forgotten for all time.
The relationship between the industrialized north and the poor countries in Africa may be good officially. Embassies and commissariats are common, even in Africa, but in every part of our world there is deceitful underworld accessible, and too many people takes part in it. In today’s Africa despotism and unjustified dictatorship still takes place in numerous states, the leaders here are often, sadly, easily persuaded to sacrifice their own people’s well-being for their own winning.
The problem is, as I said, very well portrayed in the movie, which can be categorized as a conspiracy thriller. The story-telling is non-linear, and the fact that it is jumping back and forth, back and forth, truly underlines the confusing and cruel reality that are to be found in the conspiracies. It is pretty interesting to see how the passive main character, Justin, slowly starts to dig and seek after the truth, and how his wife, Tessa, is shown as a confident and offensive character – even though she dies pretty fast. This gives Justin’s passivity time to grow throughout the movie as he solves the mystery and catches up with the criminals behind the conspiracy.
The relationships are once again manifested through the scenes from the slum-area in Kenya. Using hand-held cameras the director creates a feeling that this is some sort of a documentary showing the sad contrasts, which literally are like black and white. Midways in the movie, a camera that films a golf course which apparently is reserved only for white people, suddenly starts to pan to the left filming a place consisting of small houses falling to pieces –the slum. This was an incredible shot manifesting the huge contrasts between the industrialized north and the developing Africa – between blacks and whites.
SCENE ANALYSIS
“The Constant Gardener”. The first scene depicts Tessa’s leaving for Loki, a scene in which we understand that there’s a special relationship between her and the diplomat Justin Quayle. She tells him to leave the airfield because of the heat. My personal interpretation of this scene may seem peculiar, but nevertheless is it important for me to give a picture of it. After the valediction, Tessa walks self-confident towards the plane as the picture fades into white. Now that I know the outcome of her send-off (she dies), I interpret the fading as some sort of a walk into the heaven. The fading brings us to the next scene of significance; the beach-scene. There’s absolutely no exchange of words in this scene, only fascinating and curious use of camera adjustments. The angles used in this scene are interesting, in most parts of this sequence the camera leans towards left or right, providing us with close-ups of both the beach and the ruined vehicle. A symbol used in this lake-scene is the animal life, as something bad happens – (the murder of Tessa and her companion) – vast flocks of birds collectively escapes the immense area in a hurry. These amazing shots (obviously taken with the help of a helicopter or a plane) show us great pictures from the lake and the nearby nature. I believe that the last and most important scene is the one in which sandy conveys the sad and heartrending report to Justin. The scene is captivating because of the acting performances. Ralph Fiennes’ recital is mesmerizing. It is quite interesting to see how the camera is used in this scene; the camera is focused at Justin during almost the entire scene, showing us how his reaction to the devastating message slowly unfurls. The paradox is how he is keeping his plants alive while he is receiving the message – he is gardening – at the same time as his wife has withered. Seems to me like he is continuously (constantly) searching for the truth – using his familiarity as a never-ending gardener to dig up information - from this time on – using gardening as therapy because he can’t figure his problems out within (internally).
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