Hands Free While Driving

In class the other day we briefly discussed the 'hands free while driving' law.  I never thought much of it other than the obvious; the village is just trying to make the streets a little safer.  But when a fellow student brought up the fact that this rule could not be enforced just any where, for two specific reasons I was shocked! First of all Winnetka is a small community so rules can be informed more easily and secondly Winnetka is a very affluent community and therefore there are a lot of expensive cars which are often equipped with the most advanced technology such a hands-free device.  I had never made this connection but it does make a lot of since.  A rough neighborhood on the south side of Chicago doesn't have access to the same luxuries as we do and therefore this rule would not make since to be in place there.  But at the same time these people have the same risks from distracted driving as we do... so there should be laws banning use of cell phones while driving there too.  It’s interesting that the law is 'fit' to our way of life.  Does that say something about the community we live in?  Or is it just a necessary precaution?

There is controversy over whether or not putting bans on talking while driving should be allowed; "The Constitution, specifically the First Amendment, says that the government shall make no law abridging free speech. Talking on a cell phone is, in fact, protected free speech under the First Amendment".  In my opinion the Government is not trying to take away our freedom by banning phones while driving but instead trying to keep us safe.  One could argue that it us up to the individual whom is driving about when they should or should not use their cell phone.  But clearly drivers have been very irresponsible; "The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) says that cell phone use was a cause or contributing factor in more than 500 vehicle accidents statewide in the first six months of 2010".  This is shocking, and one hundred percent avoidable!  I believe that the government should step in and make a law about cell phone use.  If the consequences were extreme then it would only be a matter of time before drivers would change their ways.  What do you think? Do you believe drivers should have freedom to determine their own boundaries when it comes to cell phones while driving, or is it the government’s job to set the boundaries?  

Osaka Gardens

The beauty of the Osaka Gardens is unimaginable. Its peace and tranquility is overwhelming, and it posses a feeling of isolation from the outside world.  Which is thickly ironic because the Gardens are located in the City of Chicago.  I really enjoyed following the paths of the garden, and gazing at the large pond.  Yet at the same time I was confused, "why is the garden here?" "what purpose does it serve?".  My answers came from a plaque in the entrance.  The gardens were originally called the Ho-o-den Pheonix Palace and it was dedicated to the US on March 31, 1893 to be part of the Wold Fair.  An educated blogger Ray Johnson says it was designed; "to be a place of solitude and serenity and Chief Daniel Burnham complimented the Japanese officials for a job well done". In 1930 the health of Ho-o-den Palace and the gardens took a toll do to the economic decline.  And worst of all in 1945 a suspicious fire burned the palace down.  Who would have burned the Palace down?  The chances that this was an accident are very slim.  Judging on the timing; 1945 the end of World War II, I believe it was anti-Japanesse Americans who burned down the gardens.  This is such a shame because the gardens were a great honor to receive.  The city of Chicago valued them so much that in 1979 they re built the gardens and renamed them the "Osaka Gardens".  The name was chosen by Mayor Richard M. Daley in 1993, in order to; "commemorate the 20^th Anniversary of Chicago’s sister city relationship with Osaka, Japan".   Who do you think burned down these beautiful gardens in 1945?  Angry Americans or could it have just been an odd accident?

Ho-o-den Gardens 

Osaka Gardens 

September 11th.. A Day to be Remembered

          

        The whole Country was greatly affected on September 11^th 2001; it’s the day we will never forget, and a date that makes us all cringe.  At this time I was living in New Jersey just 15 miles from New York City.  I remember the day very vividly; I remember the panic at my elementary school, and the fear in my teacher’s eyes.  But what I remember most is my Dad walking through the back gate in my yard he was covered in dirt. Hurt, confusion and fear were evident in his expression and eyes.  As young as I was, I understood something was terribly wrong. 

          Its difficult to find any hint of hope from this day but in this article I came across shines light on tiny details from that day; “the head of one company survived 9/11 because he took his son to kindergarten, Another fellow is alive because it was his turn to bring donuts. Another lady was late because her alarm clock didn't go off on time. One more survivor missed his bus. One spilled food on her clothes and had to take time to change. One's car wouldn’t start. One went back to answer the telephone. One couldn't get a taxi”.  All these survivors were truly blessed, the last one strikes me the most, Taxis are everywhere in New York!  Not only do these little incidents bring a tiny bit of hope to this disastrous event but the many, many heroes that arose and the unity of our country does too. 

     One brave heroes name was Welles Crowther, he was an equities traded on the 104^th floor in the South Tower, he had experience as a firefighter from his youth and he fully manipulated his abilities on this day.  Crowthers sacrificed his own life so strangers could live.  What bonded them together is the fact that these strangers were fellow Americans, as one of the woman he saved said; “He’s definitely my guardian angel — no ifs, ands or buts..”  And she goes on to explain why he did it ”In his mind, he had a duty to do — to save people,” recalled Judy Wein.  This to me represents an American, someone who is willing to sacrifice his or her own life so someone else can live.  A selfless person determined to take a stand.  Although September 11^th is a day full of sorrow, sadness, and fear I truly believe that underneath it all there are glimpses of hope due to the bravery and sacrifice of true American Men and Woman. 

                                                                Welles Crowthers 

A Moment of Silence.. Yes or No?

            The continual controversy over whether or not a moment of silence should be part of an Illinois students day, is shocking to me.  My first reaction when we talked about this in class was; “why does everyone even care”, but after more thought and more research I realized we really should care.  I am aware that there is a separation of church and state, but what does that have to do with a moment of silence. Some Americans think this is unnecessary, Jerome Jancy said something along the lines of “Ha, the state requires you to be quiet for a moment and think?”  Yes Jerome! They do and they should.  The brief amount of time could be used for anything as 3^rd grade teacher Lisa Hendricks says; "Do you know what they're asking us to do? To kind of reflect on our day… What kind of choices are we going to make? What kind of people do we want to be? What can we do to have a good day?”  You don’t need to practice religion to have a positive day full of good choices do you?  I think its important for everyone to have time in their busy schedules to just take a moment to think and debrief on their life as the saying goes; “Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once and a while, you could miss it” Ferris Buller.  Although this is from a silly character it still holds a lot of truth.  Students lives are packed with school, activities, sports, friends family and social pressures if they don’t stop and debrief they may miss the importance and value that this all holds.  For example last year I remember fighting with my mom before school, during the moment of reflection in advisory I thought about how I could have avoided fighting with her, and what I should do differently next time.  My mom and I rarely get in arguments now because I know what I was doing wrong.  Therefore this moment of reflection has really helped me, and my relationship with my mom. 

          Clearly the above situation has nothing to do with practicing religion, but some Americans are too ignorant to see this.  “A suburban teenager and her atheist-activist father sued the state two weeks after the law took effect” Chicago Tribune.  This teenager could have thought about being an atheist during the fifteen seconds, no one was asking her to pray.  The fact that this family went to such great lengths to change something that has a little bit of religions connotation in it is mind boggling and telling about some Americans.  It shows what a touchy subject religion is and that Americans will fight for their rights as small or big the issue is. 

http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2011-01-18/news/ct-met-moment-of-silence-0119-20110118_1_silent-reflection-dawn-sherman-quiet-moment

Creativity vs. Brains

When I stumbled across this article in the New York Times about Chinese and American education I was quickly intrigued.  Chinese and Americas have conflicting views on many topics including education.  The Chinese have topped the reading; math and science charts while Americans are falling behind.  At first glance one would think "Americas should really step up their game" but when one looks at the bigger picture, some people may disagree.  After all, Americans are excelling in other things! We have a school system embedded with extra curricular activities such as sports, arts, and theater.  We are surrounded by opportunities to unleash our creative side, while Chinese students talents are stifled by pressure to succeed in academics. 
This summer I traveled to China and visited a school in Xi’an.  The students in the school were dressed in uniform and very polite.  We got to know the students the best we could across the language barrier, I ended up learning a lot about them.  When I asked one girl if she played any sports she responded by laughing as though I was so stupid to even ask and said "No! I have school".  I just smiled and nodded, but in my head I was shocked, she doesn’t even have time to play a sport? This shows that education is their focus, and that they know nothing else.  But how much better off would these students be with a creative or physical outlet, or way to express themselves? I believe this would take away a lot of the pressure they have on them and that these students would be much happier.  I know that I would not be able to stay focused, or make it through my day without drawing and painting 4th period and cross country after school.  Having an art and athletics in my day allows me to let myself relax and do something I really enjoy.  
Chinese people themselves seem to agree; "Many Chinese complain scathingly that their system kills independent thought and creativity, and they envy the American system for nurturing self-reliance", columnist Nicholas Kristof has gathered this information.  It really surprises me, but it also presents hope that maybe China would learn from us and adopt a new way to educate.