Fishing Trip

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To wrap up my collection of blog entries, I want to talk about a story that doesn’t necessarily have any glaring or shocking details but however touches upon basic lessons that I have learned and used ever since. The story begins when I was in elementary school, either third or fourth grade. My dad rented a small boat for the day so we could take it out on water to fish. The boat was very small and could only fit the two of us and maybe one or two more people. We left the dock early in the morning in anticipation of being out on the water for most of the day. This fishing trip wasn’t just a fun experience that I spent with my father, but it taught me many lessons about the outdoors, and also many basic life lesson. Many of these tips became useful for things like camping, which I have blogged about in the past.

I remember the first thing my dad said to me when we left the shore was how to hold the rod, how to attach the lure, and how to cast and catch the fish. This fishing trip was my first time out on a boat to fish, so you can imagine the pure excitement that I had as a young person. I was filled with joy when I caught my first fish, and I felt like I had not only accomplished something, but I also made my dad proud. All of this excitement came crumbling down however when my dad told me that I had to toss the fish back into the water. I remember being so confused as to why I couldn’t keep the fish, but obviously that rule is in place for a reason and I was just too young to understand at that point.

Along with all of our fishing supplies, my father also brought a small Foreman grill on the boat. My dad showed me how to cook on the grill that day, as it was my first chance to be able to cook something at that point in my life. We brought a pack of pork roll, eggs, and bagels. He showed me how to cook the pork roll and how to make scrambled eggs on the grill, and while I tried, I will say that eight year old me was not well versed behind the grill. I was ecstatic that he showed me how to cook that though, because I’ve been making the same pork roll and egg sandwich for myself ever since.

I’m extremely grateful for all of the life lessons that my father has taught me over the course of my life. My dad has taught me everything that I know, and I wouldn’t be where I am today without him. I urge everyone to listen to what their parents tell them. Sometimes we may not want to listen, but whatever they have to say will always benefit you.

 

American Identity and Polarization

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In a time of intense political division, it’s easy to lose sight of what binds us together as Americans. However, a recent poll conducted by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research reveals that despite our differences, there are core beliefs that the majority of Americans hold dear.

The survey, conducted from March 21-25, 2024, sampled 1,282 adults and found overwhelming support for certain rights and values that define the American identity. Over 90% of respondents emphasized the importance of rights such as voting, equal protection under the law, privacy, and freedom of religion. These values, deeply ingrained in the fabric of American society, serve as pillars of our national identity.

Interestingly, the poll highlighted minimal discrepancies between Republicans and Democrats on most issues, underscoring the common ground shared by Americans across the political spectrum. However, there was a notable divide regarding the right to bear arms, with Republicans more likely to view it as fundamental to the nation’s identity.

Despite this broad consensus on core values, there exists a pervasive sense of disillusionment with the state of American democracy. Only about 30% of respondents believe that the nation’s democracy is functioning well, with half expressing concerns about its effectiveness. This tension between shared values and dissatisfaction with governance reflects a broader disconnect between the electorate and political leadership.

Political scientist Lilliana Mason attributes this dissonance to the polarization perpetuated by leaders who fail to reflect the moderate views of the electorate. She suggests that while most Americans are relatively centrist in their beliefs, they have been manipulated into harboring animosity towards those with opposing political affiliations.

The poll also shed light on differing perceptions of what defines the American dream and cultural identity. While Democrats prioritize opportunities for immigrants and emphasize cultural diversity, Republicans place greater emphasis on Christian values and beliefs. These disparities reflect deeper ideological divides within American society.

Individual perspectives on the nation’s identity varied widely among respondents. Juan Sierra, a naturalized citizen, emphasized the importance of America as a land of opportunity, while expressing concerns about the influence of religion on policymaking. Conversely, Susan Johnson underscored the significance of spirituality in maintaining national cohesion, echoing sentiments shared by many conservatives.

Moreover, generational differences were evident in attitudes towards democracy and national identity. Younger Americans displayed greater skepticism towards the effectiveness of democracy and were less likely to prioritize certain characteristics as essential to the nation’s identity. This skepticism may stem from their experiences amidst heightened political polarization and a lack of constructive discourse.

Despite these challenges, there remains a shared belief in the importance of upholding fundamental rights and freedoms. However, as Joe Lagle and Mike Maloy lament, the erosion of these rights due to intolerance and corporate influence poses a significant threat to American democracy.

In conclusion, while political polarization continues to dominate the national discourse, the AP-NORC poll offers a glimmer of hope by highlighting the enduring unity found in shared values. As we navigate the complexities of modern governance, it is imperative to uphold these foundational principles that define us as Americans, forging a path towards a more inclusive and resilient democracy.

 

https://apnews.com/article/ap-poll-democracy-rights-freedoms-election-b1047da72551e13554a3959487e5181a

Helping my Grandfather through illness

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Sitting in the hospital waiting room, I felt a mix of anxiety and determination swirling within me. My grandfather was battling illness, and I was determined to be there for him in every possible way. It all began when my grandfather’s health took a sudden turn for the worse. The once vibrant man who had filled us with stories of his youth was now confined to a hospital bed. Witnessing his decline was heart-wrenching, but I refused to let despair consume me. Instead, I resolved to be his rock, offering unwavering support and companionship during his time of need.

One of the most important roles I played during this challenging period was that of a listener. I quickly realized that my grandfather found solace in sharing his thoughts and fears with me. Whether it was reminiscing about the past or expressing concerns about the future, I listened attentively, offering words of encouragement and comfort whenever needed. Just knowing that he had someone to confide in seemed to ease his burden, and our conversations became a source of strength for both of us.

As the days turned into weeks, I witnessed firsthand the resilience and determination that defined my grandfather’s character. Despite the obstacles he faced, he remained steadfast in his resolve to overcome his illness and reclaim his health. Inspired by his strength, I redoubled my efforts to support him, cheering him on every step of the way.

One of the most memorable moments of this journey occurred during a particularly difficult day at the hospital. My grandfather was feeling disheartened, his spirits at an all-time low. Sensing his troubles, I knew that I had to do something to lift his mood. Drawing upon cherished memories from our past, I began to recount stories of our adventures together, injecting humor and warmth into our conversation. Slowly but surely, I watched as a smile spread across my grandfather’s face, his eyes twinkling with newfound hope. In that moment, I realized the profound impact that simple acts of kindness and companionship can have on someone’s spirit.

Ultimately, my grandfather’s journey towards recovery was not easy, but it was marked by resilience, love, and unwavering support. Through it all, I stood by his side, offering whatever comfort and assistance I could muster. And while the road ahead may still be challenging, I am grateful for the opportunity to be there for my grandfather when he needed me most. Our bond, forged through adversity, is stronger than ever, a testament to the enduring power of love and family.

Introduction and Outline

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The Social Media Disconnect

As we live in a age of constant technological advancement, more and more people have access to the internet and all of its applications. Although this sounds like a great advantage toward our societies, there are also many glaring problems that have come to light. On the one hand, the undeniable advantage of widely accessible internet is that it connects you to people all around the world. However, this also leads to many unfiltered hate comments and harmful speech on the internet, and especially on social media platforms. According to the DC Report, 95% of children and adolescents in the United States are using social media platforms almost constantly, and according to the Pew Research Center 69% of adults use social media. This constant usage of social media contributes to social comparisons, unrealistically high expectations, and negative mental health effects.

Change needs to be made in order to save the young generations from mental health issues caused by social media. That is why I am calling to action a new policy that could help put an end to all of these mental health cases. With the implementation of new algorithms, closer monitoring of hateful speech, and better privacy, we can get one step closer from ending social media caused depression.

 

1st Focus Area: The problem of algorithms on social media platforms

  • Do algorithms cause mental health issues on social media?
  • by changing the algorithms this could lead to a decrease in mental health problems

2nd Focus Area: Hateful Speech

  • Some platforms sensor profane videos and images but does that have an effect?
  • Implement methods that monitor hate speech on posts and comments

3rd Focus area: privacy

  • how can we improve privacy on social media?
  • what is the current state of privacy
  • make it so not everyone can comment on a public post and have it filtered for hate speech

 

Plan: The Social Media Act: Federal bill that creates new rules that all platforms must follow in order to keep social media safe from hateful speech and mental health issues.

Advantages: This bill provides a safe place for people of all ages to navigate, with the reduction of words, images, and video that could potentially cause any mental health issues.

The Importance of Reaching Out

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High school can be a challenging time for many students, especially when faced with difficult classes like AP Literature. I remember vividly the struggles I encountered during my senior year of high school when I found myself drowning in complex texts and overwhelming assignments. I remember just staring at a piece of poetry, lost in the complexities of the words. It was during this time that Mr. Reynolds, my AP Lit teacher, became my guide, offering unwavering support and encouragement when I needed it most. Entering Mr. Reynolds’ classroom on the first day of the new school year, I was expecting a tough work load. I had heard rumors about the difficulty of his class, but I was determined to rise to the challenge. However, as the weeks went by, I quickly realized that the readings were more demanding than I had anticipated, and I found myself falling behind. I was having problems understanding Shakespeare’s diction, understanding the style and meaning of poems, and I was struggling with prose. It was during one particularly low moment where I found the courage to ask Mr. Reynolds for help. Nervously approaching his desk after class, I poured out my concerns, admitting my struggles and expressing my fears of failure. Mr. Reynolds listened attentively, and ensured that I will succeed.

Instead of reprimanding me for falling behind, Mr. Reynolds offered words of reassurance and a willingness to support me in any way he could. He also provided suggestions on how I should study the material, like forming a study group with classmates who excelled in the subject, providing additional resources for comprehension, and even offering to meet with me outside of class to go over difficult concepts if I needed.

As the semester progressed, I noticed a significant improvement in my understanding and confidence. No longer did I dread attending AP lit. Instead, I looked forward to the engaging discussions and challenges it presented. With Mr. Reynolds’ support, I not only survived the course but thrived in it, with a massive jump in grades toward the second half of the year. Beyond the academic side of things, Mr. Reynolds taught me invaluable life lessons about perseverance, resilience, and the power of reaching out for help when needed. His unwavering belief in my abilities empowered me to push through obstacles and strive for excellence, both inside and outside the classroom.

As I look back on senior year, I am filled with gratitude for the impact Mr. Reynolds had on my life. His dedication to his students and passion for literature inspired me to engage in the material more. Though our time together in AP Literature was brief, the lessons I learned from Mr. Reynolds will stay with me for a lifetime, serving as a reminder that if you are every struggling with something, sometimes all you need to do is reach out.

Issue Brief Introduction Draft

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The Social Media Disconnect

As we live in a age of constant technological advancement, more and more people have access to the internet and all of its applications. Although this sounds like a great advantage toward our societies, there are also many glaring problems that have come to light. On the one hand, the undeniable advantage of widely accessible internet is that it connects you to people all around the world. However, this also leads to many unfiltered hate comments and harmful speech on the internet, and especially on social media platforms. According to the DC Report, 95% of children and adolescents in the United States are using social media platforms almost constantly, and according to the Pew Research Center 69% of adults use social media. This constant usage of social media contributes to social comparisons, unrealistically high expectations, and negative mental health effects.

Change needs to be made in order to save the young generations from mental health issues caused by social media. That is why I am calling to action a new policy that could help put an end to all of these mental health cases. With the implementation of new algorithms, closer monitoring of hateful speech, and better privacy, we can get one step closer from ending social media caused depression.

 

Sources:

Mounting Research Documents the Harmful Effects of Social Media Use on Mental Health

https://www.mcleanhospital.org/essential/it-or-not-social-medias-affecting-your-mental-health

Giving a Helping Hand

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Life often presents us with unexpected challenges, and it’s during these moments that the strength of our friendships truly shines. One challenge that I strongly remember was a Saturday afternoon last year. I received a call from my friend Dillon, where he said that his car broke down. He drove a 2005 Saturn Ion, a car that has not been manufactured since 2008, with well over 200,000 miles on it. Both of his parents were at work, so he quickly called me instead. I assured him that I would be there as soon as possible, and I quickly rushed to his aid. Despite the inconvenience and uncertainty of the situation, I was determined to provide him with the support he needed.

After assessing the situation and making some calls, it became clear that the car wouldn’t start, and we were left with no choice but to call for roadside assistance. While waiting for help to arrive, I did my best to keep Dillon’s spirits up, offering words of reassurance and comfort. We laughed at the absurdity of the situation and reminisced about past adventures, which helped to alleviate some of the tension. I wanted to make light of the situation because Dillon kept on mentioning that if the car doesn’t get fixed, his family doesn’t have the money for a new one. Eventually, the tow truck arrived and hauled the Saturn away. On our car ride back to my house, we had a very heartfelt conversation that made our bond and friendship even stronger.

After dropping Dillon off back at his house, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of fulfillment knowing that I did the right thing and helped make the situation a little bit better for my friend. After about two weeks, the car was back up and running, which I thought was a miracle seeing as the car was basically a relic.

Reflecting on this experience, I am reminded of the impact we can have on each other simply by being there in times of need. Whether it’s offering a listening ear, a shoulder to lean on, or practical assistance, our willingness to extend a helping hand can make all the difference in someone’s life. When you go out of your way to help a friend, it not only means the world to your friend, but it also makes you feel like a better person. After all was said and done, Dillon would always thank me for what I did and he would always reassure he gratitude.

To wrap things up, the most important takeaway from this experience is that helping a friend in need is not just about solving problems, but it’s about showing compassion, empathy, and support. It’s about being there for each other through thick and thin, knowing that together, we can overcome any obstacle that life throws our way.

The Kennedy Family in 2024

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In the year of 2024, I think it is safe to say that no American citizen would ever think that a Kennedy would be back in the presidential race. However, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is shocking the world with his presidential campaign as an independent. And although Kennedy running for president could be beneficial to the family, it appears that the Kennedy extended family is not in full support of this idea. This Kennedy campaign could very well be a political spoiler in this upcoming election, with his candidacy potentially tipping the race in favor of the Republicans, which could ruin the family legacy.

The Kennedy family’s endorsement of Biden originally started with verbal statements until this past weekend when the visited the White House. On St. Patrick’s Day, three generations and four branches of the Kennedy family visited the White House in full support of Biden’s reelection campaign. It also seems that some of the family members who have been involved with politics in the past will be on the campaign trail in the fall, especially in the states where RFK Jr. is on the ballot. Furthermore, the Biden Campaign has made it clear that they are not making the Kennedy’s do any of this, and that they are letting the Kennedys take a lead on their efforts of endorsement for Biden.

The Democratic National Convention recently announced that Mary Beth Cahill, who is a former Chief of Staff to Sen. Edward Kennedy, will be serving as senior adviser in the Democratic party’s efforts to counter third-party candidates. The convention also happily used the photograph taken on St. Patrick’s day of the Kennedy faithful as a way to show were the family stands with this election. DNC spokesperson Matt Corridoni stated “A picture is worth a thousand words. It’s telling that the people who know RFK Jr. best are standing with Joe Biden in this election.”. Stephen Kennedy Smith was very direct in a social media post where he mentioned that his cousin could very well hand the election to the Republicans and “put our democratic process at risk.”. Stephen Kennedy Smith expanded on this with his statement “This is a mistake we can not afford as a country,” he wrote. “Our family has always worked together, so it’s difficult to speak out against a family member. But when RFK Jr decided to run he didn’t call me to ask for help because he knew I would oppose his candidacy due to his misguided stands on issues, his poor judgement, and tenuous relationship with the truth.”. This statement is very poignant because Smith went out of his way to call out his cousin on his flaws, or his flaws as the family sees it.

This upcoming election continues to draw more and more questions with each week, and it will be interesting to see how it plays out. There has not been a strong independent candidate in quite some time, so it will be interesting to see how Kennedy’s campaign shakes up the election.

https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2024-election/kennedy-family-rfk-biden-2024-election-rcna144163

Camping and Overcoming Problems

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As a kid, I was always outside. My friends and I were always outside after school doing God knows what and having a great time. One of my favorite things to do was camping. My father took me camping several times as a kid and I always had a great time. One particular time, we all went camping for a week at a campground. The trip started off great, with all of us hanging out playing games and having a good time. My favorite part was the nightly fire pit that we had where we would relax by the fire until it was time for us to go to sleep and repeat the cycle in the morning.

During this trip, I bunked with one of my closest friends. This was his first time camping for this long of a time and he was understandably going through a lot of emotions. We were very young, away from home, and in the middle of the woods. The second we got to the campground I made it my mission to make sure everything was going fine for him and that he was doing good. During the first day, we were having a great time tossing a football around, playing corn hole, and fishing in the lake. We rapped up the day with the fire pit until it was time for bed. It wasn’t until two in the morning when he woke me up. He was having a hard time sleeping and he had to go to the bathroom. Since we were kids, there was a rule that anywhere you went, you had to be accompanied with someone else. So, I went with him to the tiny old outhouse in the middle of the night. When we got in, we both heard this noise that sounded like a baby rattle. After hearing this, we both turned around and saw this massive bat just hanging on the wall right next to us. We both instantly ran out of there and back to our tent. That night not only made us closer friends, but it also showed him that I was by his side and that everything he was going through, I was going through as well.

That night helped him see that he was not alone and that everyone was experiencing the same thing as him. After that night I continued to help him throughout the trip. By the end of the camping trip, he was totally comfortable with everything and he ended up having a great time. This camping trip taught me so much about myself and how to handle myself during trying times. I learned many leadership qualities that I have been using ever since the trip. I am grateful for this camping trip and the bonds I built from it.

The Media’s Role in Polarization

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As we continue to move this political polarization conversation forward, one of the most glaring problems that is evident lies with the media. With more and more media outlets becoming more prominent with time, there are more and more ways for the general public to obtain the news from all sorts of biases. One of the biggest reasons for the media’s play in political polarization is the emergence of more one-sided media outlets. It seems that the people who only watch or view those forms of media are affected the most when it comes to forming strong opinions.

A study made by MIT political science professors Adam Berinsky and Teppei Yamamoto, covered the question surrounding political polarization and if it causes citizens to seek out partisan media sources, and if partisan media pushed people toward more polarized views. They conducted the research by combining a large online survey about the news that people like to read, along with web browsing data that tracks the news sites the participants actually visited. After this, they found the differences between the two.

While examining the participants’ stated media preferences from the survey, the researcher discovered that people may be receptive to information from sources that they actually disagree with politically. On the other hand, the data gathered from the web browsing information implied that people are primarily influenced by the news sources they agree with. The researchers stated “Together, these results suggest that inferences about media polarization may depend heavily on how individuals’ media preferences are measured,”. This claim makes sense because what media a person engages with on a regular basis is typically about what they agree with, or it forms beliefs. I found the first part of the study particularly interesting because it claimed that people are receptive to information from sources they disagree with. This makes sense however, because when someone is viewing media they disagree with, they may be more engaged because they actually want to hear out what the opposition is saying.

Furthermore, a paper written by MIT philosopher Dr. Kevin Dorst, dives into the logical processes that can drive and create polarization. Dorst argues that people understandably scrutinize evidence that contradicts their existing views more aggressively than evidence that supports it. Dorst explains in his paper that the people who develop radically different views are not necessarily being misled or reacting with strong emotions but are responding rationally to ambiguous information. In other words, Dorst is claiming that people with strong views scrutinize the opposition’s views because the information is misleading.

I think that the study and paper both make excellent claims about the media’s role in political polarization. I think that these claims show that a good solution to these problems is to simply view more forms of media that have different central viewpoints. By doing this, you can see all aspects of the political landscape and all of the opinions surrounding every conceivable topic.

https://www.technologyreview.com/2024/02/28/1087666/new-insights-on-political-polarization/