Auto Shop is Back

     In an article from October 28, 2012 called, "A Lot is New Under the Hood in High School Auto Shop Classes" Tony Perry and Howard Blume of the Los Angeles Times discuss the revival of auto shop classes in the San Diego Unified School District. Auto shop classes used to be major part of high school curriculums, however budget cuts and shift towards college preparation classes led to their decline. Recently, community leaders have found that auto shop classes may be beneficial to the students and keep them interested in earning their high school diploma. Therefore, they have put an effort to link auto tech classes with algebra, physics, and geometry. The electronic driven classes attract the students' attention and provide them with vocational training for the future. "San Diego officials believe the return of auto shop and other practical vocational classes has helped cut the dropout rate, which now stands at 6%, the lowest of any big-city district in the state" (Perry and Blume).
     The reinstatement of auto shop classes in public schools is extremely important because of the lack of special skill workers in America. This will only lead to more job growth and as one can see, a decline in the drop out rate. 

Dimmesdale vs. Chillingworth

After reading up to the somewhat predictable end of The Scarlet Letter it is safe to say that it is easier to sympathize with Reverend Arthur Dimmesdale rather than the evil Roger Chillingworth. Although Hester Prynne cheated on Chillingworth in New England while he was in Europe, Chillingworth's torturous punishment against Dimmesdale did not fit the crime. The marriage between Hester and the much older Chillingworth was not based on true love. It was one that was arranged, therefore the doctor could have easily moved on without adding to the misery of both the reverend and Hester Prynne. However, Chillingworth was only interested in causing more pain for the already ill Dimmesdale. Instead of helping the reverend while the two lived together, Chillingworth used the opportunity to confirm that Dimmesdale is, in fact, Pearl's father and Hester's lover and exact his revenge. Dimmesdale's agony led to his eventual death on the scaffold in the marketplace, leaving his audience in shock and Pearl fatherless. Dimmesdale did not deserve to die at such a young age nor did he deserve to be a victim of such wretchedness, therefore I feel more sympathetic towards him than the malevolent Roger Chillingworth.

"It was reported, and believed by many, that an Indian had drawn his arrow against the badge, and that the missile struck it, but fell harmless to the ground" (Hawthorne, 112).

This quote by the narrator is from chapter thirteen of The Scarlet Letter titled: "Another View of Hester". It has already been seven years since Hester Prynne was given the punishment of wearing the "scarlet A" on her chest. In that seven year span the community's view of Hester Prynne has changed drastically. Hester is no longer scrutinized or stigmatized. Rather, she serves as an inspiration to the townspeople who now refer to the "scarlet A" as Able rather than Adulterer, and continuously try to incorporate her into their activities. However, Hester still feels guilty for her actions and does not believe she deserves to be forgiven yet. There is more of sympathetic tone throughout this chapter than the reader is accustomed to. This quote is especially significant because it symbolizes Hester's strength to overcome all that she has gone through. It suggests that nothing can break her after the kind of punishment she has received. The "scarlet A" has made Hester Prynne indestructible. It also represents the power that the "scarlet A" had over all of the people that came across it.

Vice President Biden and Congressman Ryan Clash

     On Thursday, October 11, 2012 the United States of America witnessed its one and only debate of the 2012 election between Vice President Biden and congressman Paul Ryan. Mark Z. Barabak and Maeve Reston wrote about the debate in the Los Angeles Times on October 12, 2012 in an article titled: "Biden, Ryan Clash in Feisty Vice Presidential Debate". The title of the article sums up this debate perfectly. It was a feisty clash of opinions and beliefs over a ninety minute period. In contrast to the calm presidential debate, the vice presidential debate resembled more of a heated argument between two adversaries. The candidates debated over much of the same topics as Barack Obama and Mitt Romney the week before, however it was in a much more lively manner with no regard to typical debate etiquette. The two often interrupted each other and even spoke over the moderator several times. Throughout the entire debate both candidates took a numerous amount of shots at one another and their running mates.
     Most people judged the debate as a draw, however Biden definitely beat Ryan in this debate with his confidence and experience. Biden has proven time and again what a great debater he is why he and Barack Obama are the best for the future of America.

I Am Your Father

After reading up until page 109 of The Scarlet Letter it has become evident that Arthur Dimmesdale, the young minister of the community, is most likely to be Pearl's father and Hester's companion. The first clue is in chapter eight when Dimmesdale becomes extremely adamant on having Hester keep her child and he successfully convinces the governor, along with Mr. Wilson to allow this. The reader may also suspect this from the minister's guilty conscience and visions throughout chapter eight to twelve. He is somewhat tortured by Chillingworth into telling his deepest secrets, however Dimmesdale does not give in. He constantly refuses to tell Chillingworth anything that may cause suspicion. The final clue is Dimmesdale's insanity and the vigil he holds in which Hester and Pearl accompany him. As they stand on the scaffold on which Hester was condemned, a meteor lights up on top of them and creates a "scarlet A" in the sky. I predict that the evil and mischievous Chillingworth will exact his vengeance by killing Dimmesdale in a strange and torturous manner because ever since the minister has been under Chillingworth's care he has only gotten worse. It is only a matter of time before Dimmesdale takes his last breath. 

California Running Low on Gas

In an article published in the Los Angeles Times, on October 7, 2012 titled: "Gov. Brown Takes Emergency Action to Try to Reduce Gas Prices", Stuart Pfeifer discusses the recent gas crisis taking place in California, and the governor's initiative to reduce the ridiculous price per gallon of gasoline. Recently, a refinery in California burned down and another shutdown, while a pipeline from Kern County to San Francisco Bay area has closed down from contamination, therefore there is a shortage of summer-blend gasoline. Governor Brown has taken emergency steps this Sunday to reduce the prices of gasoline by directing the California Air Resources Board to the immediate use of the more available winter blend. "Winter-blend gasoline is a mixture that evaporates more quickly than gas sold in summer months. It’s considered more detrimental to air quality during warm weather" (Pfeifer). By law, California is not allowed to use the winter-blend until October 31st. On Sunday, gas prices in California hit an officially broke the record high at an average of $4.65, while the national average remains at a reasonable $3.81. I have personally, felt the effects of this gas crisis, having to fill up gasoline at $4.67 per gallon this week. If this continues, my prediction is that most people will begin using public transportation rather than driving, until October 31st.