Anti-War Post

 Blog #6

            

                                           Why is Anti-war hidden?  

    The United States is known as the "best country is the world." That statement is true in some aspects, numerous other countries have it much harder than we do. I am always grateful that I was born into this country and have the opportunities I do, but there are some things that are not always as they seem. Governments all around the globe have their issues, but we have some huge ones here. 

War is a big problem in America. Most individuals, that we see, are in support for war and there are others, that are not spoken about much, that are not in support of war. The reasoning as to why I think we do not see many Anti-war speakers in public is because the Government tries to hide them. I know what you are thinking, "that is absurd.." but it's true. During the past two years we have seen some of the Governments true colors shine from banning people on social media, stating certain messages on television, and much more. That being said, the Government obviously values their own opinions and not really anyone else's. For example, if individuals had mentioned the COVID-19 vaccine on any social media in a negative way, they would be reported or cannot get back on the app. Why? Aren't these social platforms a way for others to express how they feel about anything they would like. This caused a lot of disruption with many people. Especially those who worked in the medical or science fields. Many of those workers lost jobs due to speaking their own opinions.

How does this correlate to people speaking on anti-war issues? Well, they are very similar. Numerous well-written writers have spoken there opinions or even facts on war going on in the U.S and our involvement with other wars, and they are not as noticed as other writers. One prime example of a website that does not get noticed in the media often, one that I have personally never seen before, is ANTIWAR.COM. When watching the news or looking at social media surrounding these topics, majority of the time you would not come across this website or others like it because the Government does not want people to read others opinions on something they do not agree with. Personally, I have never seen a headline nor do I think I will see a headline in the future on the news with the title "Secret documents have exposed the CIA's Julian Assange Obsession." or something like that. 

In the end, I think we have to search deep lengths to hear strong anti-war pieces voices because of the difference in opinion and how it is taken in these days. All of us have to be extremely cautious about what we post on the media, especially if it is during an on-going issue and you have a certain job. Another factor as to why we don't hear about these websites often is because when people go looking for information, they usually take a look at non-biased websites. The website we were assigned to take a look at had many opinionated pieces, which people do not look for when they want to find out the facts. 

SMS Text

 Blog #4

  

                                                   SMS Text Messages

    In todays society, texting is one of the most important uses of technology. Everyone uses it to let someone know they are on there way to a meeting, an event of some sort, to catch up with people, to send information, and really however they want. Personally, I have not lived in a world where texting was not a thing, but many people have. It is such a simple concept to the world now, for instance if you have a phone and you do not text, why are you using it? That sounds like a crazy question but it is the facts of it all. Phones and all of the applications inside of them have become so extreme over the past years that if you were to show someone from the 1800's a phone, they would not know how to even describe it. By now I am sure you are wondering, "Who came up with texting?" Well, let me tell you. 

There is much background to this story, but I will start by telling you that the concept of SMS texting came about from two men named Friedhelm Hillebrand and Bernard Ghillebaert in 1984. Telegraphing had already been an action since 1837, which is more than 100 years before the SMS text thought came through. Years passed by and the first messaging network came about in 1971 from the University of Hawaii. They had used ALOHAnet to send ultra-high frequency radio waves that carried messages. 

Now, back to Hillebrand and Ghillebaert, in 1984. The concept was created, but only allowed users to send 160 characters per text message. Some might think that this was not enough to convey in a text to someone, but, Hillebrand argued that it was plenty. He would sit down at a type-writer and form random sentences that you would usually text someone. That is how he got the average number of characters they should propose for the SMS. Even though these two showed the world the concept of SMS texting, there had to be some engineers or computer scientists involved, right? Yes, his name was Matti Makkonen who had worked at the company Nokia. He does not like to credit himself though, as there were many others who were involved.

The first text message was sent in 1992 by a man named Neil Papworth. "What did the text read?" It was actually a sweet message that had typed out "Merry Christmas." to his friend by the name of Richard Jarvis. Then in 1993, Nokia released the first phone that could send a text message from anywhere. Later on in that year, an engineer by the name of Brennan Hayden sent the first commercial text that read "burp." It did not have any correlation with the human function, but instead he meant "birth," as in the birth of texting. 

Since then, all around the world SMS texting has been one of the most popular applications on the phone. Many people, like older generations, have some negative outlooks on texting. Some of those opinions are that it stops kids or teenagers from actually talking to each other, fostering social isolation, increasing risks of some disorders like ADHD, and much more. Even though those individuals see the dark, there are many others, like actual scientists that disagree. 

An article written on The Washington Post discusses that scientists have stated that texting can improve relationship with others and even help people with traumatic events. Numerous families or friends go a very long time without seeing each other in person or having time to talk on the phone, but texting makes it better for them to communicate on their own times and still have a connection. Even psychologists from the University at Berkley found that "sending and receiving text messages boosted texters' moods when they were feeling upset or lonely."

On the professional side of things, SMS texting has helped communities and jobs stay connected even when the day is over. They can send left over information, work with others while not being present in person.... the possibilities are endless. SMS texting has changed the way people communicate and share information, personally, only for the better. 

 

The Eight Values of Free Expression

 Blog post #3

                                         Free Expression and Speech

    Thankfully in our country, the United States, all of us are allowed free speech. This allows us to speak what is on our minds about a situation or a person. In other countries, numerous individuals have been killed or tortured because they said something that here, we would think is minor. Recently, our country has been divided more than ever before for countless reasons, but one main is politics. The Republican Party and the Democratic Party. People all over the country have spoken their opinions, and some have stayed silent for the fear they might get "cancelled" or lose their job.... 

Now you are probably wondering how; "how does politics connect to the eight values of free expression?" The eight values we have learned about are market place of ideas, participation in Self-Government, stable change, individual self-fulfillment, check on Governmental power, promote tolerance, promote innovation, and protect dissent. Personally, I have feel that individual self-fulfillment and protect dissent connect with our world today more than any other values on the list. 

Individual self-fulfillment not only resides in political connection, but also to the individual themselves. The theory explains that free speech allows a person to create their own identity and figure out who they are inside, and not just who they are in the mirror. These past two years, I feel, numerous people have been coming out of their shells and expressing themselves for who they want to be and what they believe in. I have friends at home that are very public about what they stand for and who / what they believe in, and I also have friends that are very quiet and do not involve themselves in any conversations. Even then, you can still become your true self by who you surround yourself with and what you do with your life. Free speech allows you to say things whenever you feel comfortable. 

The second value I had brought up which is protect dissent, I feel, ties together with individual self-fulfillment and our world today. Just as I had mentioned prior, people are free to express what they feel, when they feel it, at whatever time. In many countries, you can get seriously harmed or even killed for saying anything negative towards their Government, but here in the United States, everyone is entitled to their opinion. Recently though in about the year 2020, many people were taken off social media for not agreeing with everything the Government, which was not "legal" to my understanding, but it happened. This country allows you to speak your mind, most of the time, which is why these two values I think related most to our nation today. 

SCOTUS History

 Blog post #2

                

                             Knowledge and history of the Supreme Court

        

 
The Supreme Court of the United States is the head of the judicial branch of government and was established by the U.S. Constitution. It is also the highest federal court in the country. The court currently has nine members on board that include Chief Justice John Roberts with associate justice's Samuel Alito, Amy Coney Barrett, Neil Gorsuch, Ketanji Brown Jackson, Elena Kagan, Brett Kavanaugh, Sonia Sotomayor, and Clarence Thomas. All nine of these very intelligent, hard-working people have a lot on there plates in this position. While serving on this job, "the court.... has the power to check the actions of the other two branches of Government - the executive branch of the President and the legislative branch of Congress."

While reading on the history and today's news on the Supreme Court from a post created by the History channel on History.com, they had shared much information that I have never known about the Supreme Court. When they had their first meeting on February 2, 1790, the court only had six justices working. It was not also until there second term that they had received a case and handed down their first decision. Something surprising to me that I also did not know is that there are about 100 new cases every week and 7,000 of those cases every year go to the court. 

The most important takeaway in my opinion is how much power the members of the Supreme Court really has over the United States. Their impact to not only the United States, but the world on their decisions everyday is insane to me. SCOTUS has had numerous cases that have changed our nation for better and for worse. Some of the major cases assigned with the Supreme Court are Brown v. Board of Education, Miranda v. Arizona, Dred Scott v. Sanford, and many more. Despite the fact that I do not agree or favor with everything that the Supreme Court has decided on, I am appreciative that we have positions with that much power for people who do deserve to stand there and make wise choices for our nation and people

My top five news sources and information:

 Blog post #1

                

                            Top five news sources + information

        In today's times, most people get their source of news from social media or just watching the news; and if I am telling the truth, so do I at times. But, the problem with doing that is you do not get all of the pieces to the puzzle that you are learning about. For instance, let's say someone was murdered and they showed two suspects on the news. Most people would make their own opinions based on how the people look or what they do. The one thing people do not do, which is crucial, is look for more details on the story, since they do not know much. The sources I will be writing about are places where I trust to get the majority of details for news stories or what-have-you. 

       One of the most fundamental, but, one of the most detailed source's that I look at the most is  The New York Times. I say this because just like any other magazine or post, they provide covers on all sections like sports, media, politics, and really whatever you are looking for, yet, it has a different swing to it. The New York Times is one of the longest running posts in the world, and probably have influenced many journalists-to-be. Although you have to create an account to read the stories posted, it is worth it. Numerous talented journalists have written and will continue to keep writing for The New York Times. Majority of individuals recommend this website because it has variety. It keeps you on track with what is going on at the very moment you log in, but can take you back many years to where you cannot stop reading. 

      This newspaper has done many things from just a post about a State, to bringing down President Richard Nixon with the websites reporting on the Watergate scandal in the early 1970's. The Washington Post has also been running a very long time, and has similar glory to The New York Times. It is actually alike to The NYT in many ways with the format on how stories are posted and the writers that have contributed to the source. In-that, The Washington Post has won awards like the Pulitzer Prizes and has received many others for its dedication in media. What I also like about The Washington Post is the organization of the page. Every genre has sections within it to help you navigate through the posts easier. It is key when using a website to know that you can easily go back to pages, and this source definitely makes it effortless. 

      CNN is another reliable source to find news information and other things surrounding that. This reference is more directed towards global politics, business, and the United States, however, still has the options to look at other media like sports, travel, etc. Such as the other two websites I had mentioned, CNN does keep their site in top shape with how they separate categories and articles. They split up stories that are paid partnerships, featured sections, and however the category may need to be split. For example, if you take a look at the politics section, they have split the sections into "Biden White House" and "Congress." These available tools just make it a smoother process for anyone who is reading these posts for whatever the cases may be. 

      Now, this one is pretty obvious but, it had to be said.... Google.com. Google is an incredible way to figure out any stories with the push of a button. When you search up information on Google, it offers you in order from the most viewed pieces to the least viewed, plus, hands you every source even if it is not the best one you could be looking for. Everyone uses Google now-a-days whether it be for work, shopping, figuring out who people are, and the news! The majority of people know that not all websites Google has to offer are the correct ones or might not be right for that person, but they also know that Google can lead them to another sight that does have everything that person needs right at there finger tips. That is what I personally enjoy about using Google. They even have a feature where they accommodate your discover page to what you search the most, and the latest updates on everything. 

      The last source I will provide to you today is not what I expected to write about, but it I am being honest when I say it is one of my top 5 ways to receive news and other information. With that said, the source is TikTok. That might sound odd is some ways, but the reality is that this app provides us with so much information. From allowing anyone in the world access to speak, post videos, and go live on the app, people have been able to express what they feel. For some individuals  that is reporting different types of news. There is an account on TikTok called Newsweek that reports everything going on in politics and the world. But there are also other accounts that report on sports media, entertainment, Hollywood, and honestly the list is endless. Needless to say, this app has done a lot of positive and negative things for our generation, but one major positive is having access to all this news that we might not hear anywhere else.