Monday, May 28, 2007

A Message to the Veterans of the Vietnam War

To the Veterans of the Vietnam War,
I am eternally grateful for what you have given up to protect our country. Witout you, my life would not be what it is today. You have sacrificed so much to keep the American people safe. We can never repay you for what you have done. On this memorial day, I remember the Vietnam Veterans Memorial and think of all the corageous men and women who have served in the war. Thank you for your bravery.
- Erin Harvey

Tuesday, May 22, 2007

Vietnam readings- Tuesday- The Gulf of Tonkin Resolution

What is the main thesis of the essay?
The main thesis is that this resoliution may have been a lie. All the fighting these men did may have been for nothing.
What was the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution?
It was when supposedly an American ship was fire on by a Vietnamese ship.
What evidence does the author give to support his thesis?
There were witnesses to this incident.
How does this link to the theme of the first reading, “A Dubious Crusade”?
Both talk about how this war was kind of pointless.

Vietnam- History

What is the overall theme of Vuong-Riddick's poem?
The theme is that there is a lot of killing and for just one country.

Monday, May 21, 2007

Vietnam Readings- Tuesday

A Dubious Crusade
Look up both words in the title of the short essay. What do they mean?
"Dubious" means to have doubt about a plan, "crusade" is and enterprise taken with zeal and enthusiasm.
Relate the title to the reading. What is Warren saying? How do you think this will relate to the rest of our study if Vietnam?

Wednesday, May 16, 2007

10 Things Everyone Should Know About the Korean War

1. One of the reasons for the start of the war was that Soviets turned the government of North Korea communist.
2. America took control of South Korea, turing the government noncommunist.
3. The war began in June 1950 when North Korean forces crossed the 38th parallel into South Korea.
4. President Truman viewed this war as a test for his containment plan.
5. General Douglass MacArhur proposed using bombs on China, but Truman said no.
6. By 1952, the war was very unpopular, so Truman began to talk of making a truce.
7. Truman was then seceeded by Eisenhower, who put a quick end to the war.
8. He ended the war in July 1953.
9. Many Americans were frusterated by this war, which to some was considered pointless.
10. Many politicians used the frusteration of people to get support.

Monday, May 14, 2007

MLK Reading Blog

Why does the author feel that whites owe King the greatest debt?
The author feels this way because without him, some whites would still be racist and not know that there is a better way to be. Whites suffered form racism just as much as blacks did.
Was King "the right man at the right time"?
He was the right man at the right time because without him the civil rights movement would not have made such an impact nor have been nearly as successful.
Would King be upset with the current use of his most often quoted line? Why or why not?
No, because it is often used in contexts that have nothing to do wtih civil rights, like when it is used in conjunction with information about affirmative action.

Income Equality

Martin Luther King Jr. would not think there is racial equality in our world because of the greatly differing incomes of African American and white people. Statistics show that as of the year 2003, a white family makes $15,986 more than a black family. Another statistic says that 25.6% of black people live in poverty, compared to 8.8 % of white people. There is too much of a gap between these numbers for anyone to say that there is racial equality in America.
However, on a more positve note, some things are looking up for the black poulation. The average black female, as of the year 2002, was making $148 more than in 2001. In the year 2003, the average African American family is also making $619 more than in the year 2002. And the number of African Americans who make from $30,000 to $59,000 is steadily climbing.
A change must be made to close the gap of income and poverty between black and white. I would suggest that a new plan be made to help needy familys living beneath the poverty line, that offers the same benefits no matter what the race. There should also be a program to help unemplyed people get jobs. This is important because if we truly want to live up to King's dream we must act now.