Illegal Immigrants

Brian Bennett and Lisa Mascaro from the Washington Bureau write about illegal immigrants in the article "Senators Agree on Immigration Overhaul Plan" in the Los Angeles Times published January 27, 2013. Several bipartisan senators have recently been working on a plan to grant legal status to approximately eleven million illegal immigrants across the United States. It is being constructed by eight senators representing all parties, and they intend to release their plans to the public on Monday, January 28th.The record setting amount of Latino voters in the November election has drastically changed any politicians' views on the huge issues. Especially, considering how miserably previous attempts to pass such proposals have failed. The senators involved in constructing the plan are in hopes to have bill set up as early as March. This is huge step towards ending the bipartisan gridlock in congress. If our politicians can agree on a solution for this issue the possibilities for a better America are endless. There is no point in spending any more money on trying to deport illegal immigrants. Those who are here are here to stay, therefore, they should receive citizenship and there should be more efforts put into preventing illegal immigration.

Observations

As I sat outside on the front steps of my porch with a paper in one hand and a pencil in the other I noticed many different aspects of nature that I have never payed attention to ever before. The early morning breeze hit my face along with the powerful rays of the sun, as several birds soared across the bright blue sky and others chirped to each other in the tall fir trees. You could hear the cars zooming passed on the main street with a long honk every once in a while. For the most part, however, it was a placid setting partly because of the soothing waterfall in the front yard and the delightful smell of the flowers. Slowly the suns glare became overpowering, and so I moved under the shade of my lemon tree and sat on the unusually comfortable grass enjoying every second of the greenery around me, wishing that it was spring, and all the flowers were in full bloom, so I may be overwhelmed by the powerful aroma of the roses and tulips lined against the border of our front yard. Eventually, the temperature began to rise and it began to feel like a hot summer day bringing back memories of our great vacation. Reminiscing on the days of our last summer I ran to the pool hoping for it to be warm enough to swim, however, it was just as cold as it was in the rainy weather.

Inauguration Speech

David Lauter writes about President Obama's Inauguration in the article "Inauguration 2013: Obama Addresses Gays, Compromise, Climate Change" published January 21, 2013 in the Los Angeles Times. Today, President Barack Obama took his second oath to office, as he advocated the democratic party's ideologies about gay marriage and climate change. President Obama's inaugural address stressed some major policy priorities that he would like to accomplish throughout his second term. This inaugural speech was unlike any other. For the first time ever, the rights of gay Americans was mentioned in an inaugural speech as President Obama said that America's, “...journey is not complete until our gay brothers and sisters are treated like anyone else under the law – for if we are truly created equal, then surely the love we commit to one another must be equal as well”(Obama qtd. by Lauter). He also briefly mentioned his proposals for gun control and immigration reform throughout his eighteen minute speech. All Americans are in hopes that during President Obama's second term the bipartisan gridlock in congress will end and we can finally construct new and long-awaited policies. 

Most Likely; Least Likely

     If I were to chose one book to read from all the books that were presented in class during this week I would most probably pick Hole in My Life by Jack Gantos. Harout's presentation on this memoir was quite intriguing and convinced me that this book is definitely worth reading. The novel has a great story line and Jack Gantos' character seems very entertaining. Unlike most of the other stories this one was not dark and depressing, and almost had a movie feeling to it. It takes the reader into the mind of a true criminal trying to bring a large amount of hashish from St. Croix into the United States, and through the process of his imprisonment.
     From all of the books that were presented this week the one I would be least likely to read would definitely be Wasted: A Memoir of Anorexia and Bulimia by Maria Hornbacher because it seems weird and rather frightening. I also feel as if the entire story takes place in several different hospitals which is very depressing, and not so entertaining.

Survivor

Elaine Woo writes about the death of Leon Leyson, the youngest survivor on Schindler's list in an article titled, "Leon Leyson Dies At 83; Youngest Survivor On Schindler's List" published on January 13, 2012. Oskar Schindler was a German industrialist who saved approximately 1,100 Jews from the hands of the Nazis during the Holocaust. After being rescued by Schindler, Leyson went on to start a new life in America. Eventually, he became a high school teacher in Huntington, California and taught for thirty-nine years, thereafter. However, he rarely ever mentioned any of the troubles that he faced during the holocaust to anyone, until the movie "Schindler's List" came out in 1993. After which, Leyson became a public speaker and told his story of the Holocaust. Unfortunately, the world lost a great hero on Saturday when Leyson passed away after his four year battle against Lymphoma. The last time he had seen Schindler was in 1977 as he greeted him in the airport along with many other Jews.