What makes communities unhealthy? (Rogerian Argument)

In this world, both healthy and unhealthy communities exist. Healthy communities are made up of positive traits, and on the other hand unhealthy communities are made up of negative traits. Yes they are negative traits as they are positive traits. Negative traits are usually to blame for creating unhealthy communities. One of the many negative traits that plague unhealthy communities is drugs. People who use drugs, the companies that manufacture drugs, and those who trade drugs make up a very unhealthy community. Let's take a look at this unhealthy community trait.

One of the many causes from the unhealthy trait is The pharmaceutical industry. According to an article written by Mukherji Prokriti from King's College, the pharmaceutical industry uses about $27 billion for TV advertisements. However, the advertisements uses a pull strategy that advises patients to ask their doctor about the promoted prescription drug. This article also states that in 1997, the FDA allowed specific brand advertisements on TV. This policy led to a massive rise in advertisements as well as sales for prescription drugs. The author also states that nearly 20 million Americans are currently taking some form of prescription drug on a daily basis. However, this is not the only cause of this unhealthy community.

Another article written by Bo Wang discusses off label marketing and prescribing drugs. The article states that manufacturers of pharmaceuticals One of the incidents relating to off labeling was having to do with the switch to generic suppliers for prescription drugs. The decrease was also in part of Warner-Lambert's settlement with the federal government to end off-label prescription drugs which costed millions of dollars. Marketing and off-labeling are both making communities unhealthy.

However, some may disagree that marketing does not make drugs the problem within communities. According to the article titled, "Junkies, Wasters, and Thieves." written by Dr. Claire Meehan of the University of Aukland says that people use drugs for a different reason. The article states that people use drugs because it gives them a sense of relief. Also because people want to escape their problems since feel better on drugs that being off of them also stated in the mentioned article. Even though marketing is to blame for imposing drugs on communities, people who abuse drugs can also be the cause too.

The solution to this problem is to teach our children about the dangers of what drugs can do to you which it is discussed in Dr. Meehan's article. Children in Northern Ireland are taught in school on how bad drugs can do to a person as well as its consequences too. No, this is not forcing opinions onto a child, but it is better from them to learn rather than no one tell them drugs are bad. Also I know advertisements are usually useless, but "ask your doctor" is a line that should be taken seriously. A physician who knows what drug can a help a certain illness can help the community. If many people will know what drugs can do to you, the community would become much healthier with prior knowledge.

Songs That Make My Life

As a huge music lover, its a part of my life. Even though I like music that is good, there are 10 songs that make up my life.

10. Ain't Wasting Time No More. This song represents how time is not to waste for me because "Time goes by like a hurricane and faster things."
9. Simple Man. This song is a great message about how to live your life like your mother told you.
8. Touch of Grey. The song features the line "I will get by, I will survive." The term means that when life gets tough, I can be strong within a tough life.
7.The Man Comes Around. This song represents my faith. Faith to me is an important part of my life. This song resites some of the verses in the Book of Revelation.
6. Heartland. This song represents where you came from, and the way of living you are used to. I am proud of where I came from.
5. I'm no stranger to the rain. This song represents withstanding any trouble or pain that many go through in life. I have through many troubled things in life, but I made it through.
4. Love reign o're me. Love is powerful, and it is vital to life. There are people who love me which its something I'll never forget.
3. Troubadour. Yes, I know I have not made a complete legacy, but this song will sort of be like a pre-legacy. Nothing will change me, and what I was before.
2. You can't always get what you want. There were many things in life I wanted, but never got. Yet I got the things in life I need over what I want.
1. Listen to the Music. I love to listen to the music. Its been a part of my life as long a I can remember. 

My dream vacation

Since summer is right around the corner, most people go on a vacation somewhere far away. I'm sure some of you will do so once school is over. I bet many of you want to visit a foreign country, or a well-known destination. Today I will share you where I want to visit someday. The number one place I want to visit in my lifetime is the land where my ancestors came from, Ireland. Yes, my last name gives away my Irish roots, but it is a very appealing country to visit aside from my heritage. Ireland has such beautiful landscapes from the green fields to the cliffs along the ocean. That kind of landscape just brings me good feeling, and a feeling of awe. Ireland features many well-known landmarks with the most famous being the Blarney Stone. The Blarney Stone is the stone where you have to lie down on your back to kiss the stone upside down. People kiss the Blarney Stone to give the gift of eloquence according to legend. From the Blarney Stone to the lush landscapes, the land of my ancestors is the one destination I have to make in my lifetime. My family have talked about making a family to trip to Ireland over the past several years so there is a good chance my family will make this trip in about two or three years from now.

Autism

Since April is Autism Awareness Month, I thought I would share my experience with Autism. I was diagnosed with Autism at the age of 3. During my childhood, I felt different from the other kids in my school. Even though I had Autism, I was told about it around 4th grade. Even though that time in my life was not the happiest, it did not bother me that much. As time went on, I learned to appreciate my disability. My older brother Brian told me to not let my Autism be a burden to me, but to appreciate it. Even though I have a disability, I am still a part of society like everyone else. I live an active social too. Back at Evergreen I was a member of marching band, quiz bowl, and FCA. I was a member of my 4-H club for 10 years, and club president for three consecutive years. I was an altar server at my church for seven years, and currently a Knight of Columbus with my dad and brother. I have many friends that I talk to, and hang out with too. I also did many social skills groups for my Autism, but they were little to no help. This changed in the summer of 2012 when I received an offer I could not refuse. The offer was to join the Hench Autism Summer Program. I accepted the offer and it was a unforgettable experience. I loved the program so much that I did it again for the next three years with just as good of an experience as the first time. My connection with the Hench program is part of the reason why I chose this college for its ASD program which has helped me with both academic, and non-academic goals. After much though, I decided to try college on my own next year without the program. Some students need it either one year or all four years. Overall it was a good experience in the program, and to meet others like me as well. I know I'll always have Autism, but I can be successful in life like everyone else.

The Elevator

The short film is about a bunch of different people who are in an elevator. The many different people play music out loud on their phones until a man with a boombox comes in the elevator. The man with the boombox however, plays his music through his earbuds instead. The purpose of the short film is to show that people are different with using their different tastes in music within the elevator. The different people in a community is why the director created this short film. This is my reason for the director's purpose for the short film to show people how a community is different. The different music what I identified within the short film which is a good representation of how different people are in society. The audience the author intended for is a general audience. It does not feel like it was made for any specific audience, but for everyone in a general audience. The author wanted everyone to understand his point of view about community diversity. What shows that the audience is general is the different people in the elevator. Three ways the short film can teach about community is everyone in a community is different, different tastes or different looks too. Another way is people in a community way have their own way of thinking as well. Also it teaches the audience everyone may not be like you, but we are different in our own different way

My favorite genre of music

Since we are watching Hip Hop Evolution in class, I though I would type this blog about my personal favorite kinds of music. Even though I enjoyed the documentary, hip hop is not my cup of tea. Ditto for current music like Top 40 I do not care for personally. I like a few different genres but my personal favorite without a doubt is Classic Rock. I have listening to this genre ever since I was a young child. My dad and Uncle would listen to this genre most of the time, and that is who I credit for introducing me to this genre. Some of the bands or musicians I enjoy from this genre are Led Zeppelin, The Rolling Stones, The Who, Faces, and Eric Clapton. Southern Rock I also enjoy thanks to my uncle who introduced me to The Allman Brothers, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Marshall Tucker, and Molly Hatchet. I enjoy these bands still to this day. I think when you are younger and are with your parents, you tend to listen to the music they like. My Dad, Brother, and Uncle all enjoy this music much like I do today, and we still enjoy it. That is how I got into Classic Rock my favorite music genre.

High School to College

Author Keith Hjortshoj discusses the differences between High School and College in his book, The Transition to College Writing. This book is a detailed description of how the way college is different than high school. One of the differences is College courses are not continuations from high school. College does not have all the same high school courses. Some are similar, but they are different courses in college. The courses will not cover what a student learned in high school. Another difference is college requires a new kind of motivation. Yes, there is more freedom in college since you're on your own, but you should be responsible with your classes and classwork. Being motivated, and making good decisions concerning classes and classwork will help you get through college. (Hjortshoj P.10-12)

I have learned many differences between high school and college on my own. One difference is in high school, classes are impossible to fail unlike in college. A college course can easily go down if a student does not care about their classes. Being on top of your assignments, studying many nights, and even getting extra help can not only motivate you, but help you get a good grade in college. Another difference is you accept full responsibility of yourself. Mom and Dad are not with you in college, so therefore you are on your own. You take full responsibility of your mistakes and successes in college. You cannot blame someone else for you what you do in college because your decisions is what comes from you and your actions and choices.

People make myths and illusions to high school seniors who are going onto college. They do this because they want to think they can be care free in college when really there are many important tasks in college. Making myths about college is not the right thing to do because it does not make us see the facts about college and the way it works differently than high school. We must face the facts and the cold hard truth about college because it is and brand new experience, and a completely new experience not just from high school but in life.