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.

St. Patrick's Day

There are three days in the year I look forward to three days, My birthday, Christmas Day, and St. Patrick's Day. St. Patrick is the patron saint of Ireland, but he was actually born in Great Britain, and not in Ireland. When he was sixteen years old, he was captured by Irish pirates and sold into slavery. Six years later, a voice told him to flee slavery, and return home. Patrick would soon return to Ireland many years later as a missionary. He taught the Holy Trinity with the three leaf clover as a symbol, and may have been said to banish all the snakes from Ireland. St Patrick's Day is always celebrated on March 17 each year which is not only his feast day, but it his the day he died. Saint's feast days usually fall on the day that person dies. Most people think it's a day to drink lots of whiskey and get drunk, but that is not what it means. St. Patrick's Day is to celebrate your inner Irish because everyone is Irish on St. Patrick's Day. I love this holiday so much because my first and last name is from Irish origin. My Catholic Confirmation name is Patrick, and both my dad and brother's middle name is Patrick. Also to show how much I love my Irish heritage, I have an Ireland flag hanging in my dorm room too. I always wear green on March 17 because that's how much I look forward to St. Patrick's Day each year. I also wear green that day so I don't get pinched too. So please wear green this Friday to avoid a pinch, but most importantly, unleash your inner Irish on March 17 like I do.

Regrets

Everyone has a regret in their lives. I have one thing that I regret deeply that happened not too long ago. My regret does follow in the "not pattern." As much as I like it here, and getting great help and developing great college skills from the ASD program, I wish I could start hanging out with people outside the program earlier in this year. I am making new friends here at college, but I wanted to hang out with them to do fun things. I always felt isolated when I would see a group of people walk back to the dorms, and I would have to walk back to the pods all by myself, and lonely. I even considered visiting my old high school friends at their colleges because I was so hurt not living in the dorms like everybody else. I regret it because I did not want to feel like a tag-along, or bother other people. I did turn my regret around once I came back from Christmas break. I thought to myself "I will not be isolated anymore." I made it a goal, and talked to my mentors, and other people including my family on how I felt isolated in the pods. I started to ask people I knew from my classes if I could hang out with them, and all have told me "yes." I also had to get their numbers too so they can let me know if they are doing something fun. I will continue to fight off the isolation I felt this year. Regrets relate to our theme of community by a group of people helping out someone or even others make a better choice in the future. They can also help someone understand what they did wrong so that same action cannot be done again like before. People can work together to understand one's regrets so the community can be a much better place in the world.

Two special people I dearly miss

I really do not want to make you guys sad while reading this week's blog. I'm sure most of you can all relate to my blog I posted for the week. Two Wednesdays ago on February 1, it would have been my grandfather's 72nd birthday. His grandchildren called him "Papa" which originated by my cousin Drew, but many would call him Al (short for Aloysius, his real name) or Butch. He was a hard working, loving, and caring man. He worked at Bettinger's Greenhouse in Swanton as a foreman. One of his good friends and co-workers at the greenhouse was the father of one of my favorite teachers at Evergreen. It was so cool to know my Social Studies 10 teacher remembers Papa. Unfortunately on October 21, 2005 he lost his battle with lung cancer at the age of 60. I was in the second grade and eight years old at that time, and my family were deeply heartbroken about his untimely passing. 60 is way too young of an age to die, and he left the world much too soon. 11 years later on his birthday, or the day he entered Heaven, I always think about him and I'll never forget his memory he left behind for his loving family to forever cherish. Even though I was just eight when the grandfather I only knew passed away, I wish I knew my other grandfather who left the world three years before I was born. My other grandfather known as Grandpa Don has left an impact on me. Like Papa, Don was a hard working, loving, and caring family man who loved all his family members. He sold farm equipment in Lyons (my hometown) for a living at the family business started by his father John. Don ran O'Neil Implement along with his two brothers, Gerald and Bill, for many years until November 1992 when Don suffered a stroke. In March 1993, Don was placed in a nursing home while his health continued to decline. Sadly, on December 30, 1994 he died at the age of 72 just five months before the birth of my older brother Brian. Grandpa Don never met Brian, me, or my sister Maureen, but I know he is proud of all his grandchildren and he still loves us to this day. I always remember Grandpa Don on December 30th or his birthday June 4th because my family keeps his memory alive and cherishes the memory of Grandpa Don. Even though I never met him, my family always tells me great things about Grandpa Don, and how he is proud of me. Grandpa Don and Papa definitely passed away too soon, but when we lose a loved one, they will live forever in our hearts. Also we can always keep their memory alive. I also know that they are happy with all their other family members and friends in Heaven.

Political Communities

The articles "Why America First is a Dangerous Doctrine." from the San Francisco Chronicle, and "Behind the Internet's Anti-Democracy Movement." from The Atlantic describe two different political communities much different from each other. The first article talks about the assistant to President Trump who is also part of the National Security Council. President Trump's assistant and chief strategist is Stephen Bannon is now part of his joint Chief of Staff. Stephen Bannon has been denounced by many conservatives for Bannon's control of Breitbart's news company for which Bannon has been accused of racism, misogyny, and homophobia according to the first article. Bannon also looks up to, and praises Vladimir Putin for Putin's approach to nationalism. The first article describe's Bannon and Trump's approach to nationalism which many believe will put the country in danger. The doctrine discussed in the first article is "America First" which many believe is mostly their approach to nationalism. Nationalism is love, pride, and devotion to one's nation they are from. The Second article discusses Bannon's ties with Curtis Yarvin, a blogger and software engineer who started a "neoreaction" movement. Yarvin believes a democracy does not work, and favors a more autocratic reign. The second article also states that Yarvin posted a blog back in 2008 which described the Soviet Union just as bad as the Nazis during the Holocaust. According to the article, Neoreaction is an ideology about the autocratic government, and is against the democracy. A former speechwriter named Michael Anton used these views in an essay entitled, "The Flight 93 Election." This essay was his comparison of the 2016 election and the 9/11 attacks. Both of these communities are unhealthy due to their extreme views. The former with their use of nationalism, and the later for their views being similar to fascism. These views can lead to a negative impact for the country because these are extreme views that many might not take. Also they can lead to many problems and issues that are too much for the country to handle. Healthy communities could be affected by such extreme, and unhealthy views because it does make matters better, but makes them worse. Healthy communities can all think of positive, and helpful ways of making certain situations better rather than use negative views to help a situation. There are many people who hold extreme views, but we can all find the positive way of life.  

My Brother

I'm sure everyone has someone they look up to in life like I do. The person that means the most to me in life is my older brother Brian. Brian has always been the person I look up to in life. Brian taught me many things about life like hard work, and how to take care of things. Brian is two years older than I am, but we are always close. Like most siblings we have an occasional disagreement, but that does not ruin my relationship with him. We both enjoy going out to eat, listening to music, hanging out with our family and our friends. He has a girlfriend named Judith, and she is very nice to me and my family. I always stay in touch with him when I am at school, and we miss each other. The one thing Brian taught me the most is to be proud of my disability, it is not something to be ashamed of, but a life's blessing. It's great to be a middle child because you have an older sibling like Brian to look up to in life.

Advertisements

Advertisements you see on television have an intended audience. Intended audience is a group in which the product is geared towards. Film can have an intended audience. The first advertisement is aimed towards children, and families. The animals featured in the ad, and the trampoline all have a family friendly feel to the ad. It also creates a warm and fuzzy feeling for the holiday season, and that everyone is happy with gifts during the holiday season. The second ad is also aimed toward families much like the first one. The lost child is to create a sad, but warm feeling for the audience to make them feel that he will be alright, and brought back home in a new car. The third commercial is aimed towards adults (obviously). It telling the audience that people have drank beer throughout the century leading up to today. It also has a party feel too, so it promotes having a good time with a drink. Advertisements have a target audience much like authors do too. The audience should be aware of the intended audience because some advertisements want to get a point across to a certain group of people, but not everyone sometimes. This goes not only for advertisements, but other forms of media as well 

College is better than High School (IMO)

Is it safe to say I like college better than high school. Yes, college can be challenging, but life itself can be challenging too. I like the kind people I see everyday, and I like the independence too. My first year of college is better than all four years of high school combined. The high school I went to was not a bad school, I did great in academically and had a lot of good friends. I liked my band director, and social studies 10 teacher too. However, there were a handful of people I disliked that I do not miss and glad I do not have to deal with anymore. I fully understand that there are people I will have to deal with that I disagree with. I am glad that my college experience so far is better than my four years of high school.

Community

I have been a part of a great community for almost year. The community I will talk about is the Knights of Columbus council I am part of. My dad, brother, and I are all active members of this particular council. The Knights of Columbus is a Roman Catholic organization for men that does charitable services and helps with financing. The K of C organization was founded in New Haven CT by Father Michael McGivney in 1882. K of C was founded to help financial aid for the members and their families. K of C has councils in Canada, Mexico, Poland, Ukraine, and South Korea. To be a Knight of Columbus, you must be a male over the age of 18, and you must be a practicing Catholic. The council my family and I are part of are very active. We do many things for the community like we help out around the parish with breakfasts and fish fries, and help out at local charities and events in the community. My brother and I became knights in January 2016 after much consideration, and after discussing it with our dad and other knights. I cannot be any more proud of our decision to become knights. My dad is a knight, and so was my grandfather who made it to the highest ranking, the Fourth Degree. There are Four degrees of K of C that promotes a core virtue from the order. To earn the Fourth Degree is an option, but a person has to be in the Third degree for one year. Fourth degree members are to promote the spirit of patriotism, and active Catholic citizenship. It not only is a proud feeling, but a proud deed to carry on a meaningful legacy. From the men of my family to the many kind, hard working men who are also knights. We do many great deeds to help others around us. We also complete hard working tasks to not only our church, but for the community. The Knights of Columbus to me is a great example of a specific community. A community in my own words is a group or organization that works together to help one another, to look after each other, or help out together to make a community a better place. It means a lot to many people what we do for others in and out of our parish. Good deeds and hard work go a very long way.

My Friends

As much as a good experience I had at college (better than my 4 years of high school combined.) not only I miss my family, and I miss my high school friends too. These friends of mine meant a lot to me, and always had my back. I started hanging out with these guys in the middle of my sophomore year of high school during the EHS marching band trip to Florida. Since that trip, I always hung out with them. I was sad to go my separate ways with my friends. I still kept in touch with them when we were away at college. We all had to see each other again during Christmas Break, in which we certainly did. We all went to see Rogue One and it was a great day to keep up appearances and it was a wonderful reunion. I may be away from them, but they will always be my best friends.

What Happened?

I cannot remember what caused me to be here in this jail cell. This is a place where I should not be, this is where horrible people who are not like me should be. All I have on me is five things in my pocket. First object I have on me is spare change in case I need it from last night. Last night I was hanging out with a few friends of mine at our favorite hangout. The second item I have is my phone in its black case. I had looked through my messages, and I did not make a call to anyone after they got me. I was way too mortified to tell anyone because I am not a bad person. The third object I have is my brown wallet. It thankfully still has everything I remember in there before they arrested me. All my money and cards were still in there thank God. The fourth thing in my pocket is my watch. Another important object I still have on me that I didn't lose. It was in my pocket when the law got me for no reason. I felt relieved that those were all on me at the time of my arrest. The last object I have are my keys. Now I remember what happened. I accidently left my keys in the seat I was in after everyone left. Once I retrieved my keys, an idiot cop thought I was someone else he was looking for. Thank God those objects are still on me, but I'm still an innocent man. This dummy that arrested me not only needs to rethink his priorities, but he needs to know I am an innocent man who would never break the law.