Humanities current event make-up assignment for week 11/5 to 11/10 k 05 to Nov. 10

24 Hitchhikers killer in truck crash

At least 24 day laborers who had hitched a ride on a truck loaded with iron rods were killed Sunday when the vehicle flipped over into a ditch, impaling some and crushing others under the weight of its load.

A dozen others were wounded, some critically, when the truck lost control in dense fog Sunday morning and veered off a road in the Tangail district, located about 40 miles (64 km) from the capital city.The truck was carrying several tons of iron rods and was on its way from Dhaka to another district, when the driver picked up at least 45 day laborers along the way, authorities said. The men were headed home to cast ballots in Monday's national elections.

According to the police investigation, In recent months, dozens of people have died in similar crashes. Truck drivers carrying supplies, such as rice, cement and iron rods, are not permitted to pick up passengers. But the drivers often flout regulations. The passengers, in turn, pay less to travel on loaded truck beds than they would riding on buses.

Humanities current event make-up assignment for week 05 to Nov. 10

An angry man shoots talker at movies

A man was angry that a family was talking during a movie threw popcorn at the son and then 

shot the father in the arm. This angry man was charged with attempted murder, aggravated assault and weapons violations. He told the family sitting in front of him in the theater on Christmas Day to be quiet, then the argument took place right at the movie. the angry man approached the family from the left side of the aisle and shot the father. Christmas holiday is supposed full of joyful and peaceful atmosphere, but I think that this unexpected tragedy would leave an unforgettable mark for this family.

Humanities Assignment Make-up for Nov.19th, 2008

(5 questions on Ancient Greece& Rome)

Note: These five questions can be seen in my mind map as well.

What happened in the Persian War? Like the Trojan War, the Persian Wars were a defining moment in Greek history. It began inauspiciously, around the middle of the sixth century BC, the Greek city-states along the coast of Asia Minor came under the control of the Lydians and their king, Croesus (560-546BC). However, when the Persians conquered the Lydians in 546BC, all the states subject to the Lydians became subject to the Persians. But there was a tyrant of Miletus, Aristagoras, began a democratic rebellion in 499BC. In498BC, the Athenians conquered and burned the capital of Lydia, Sardis. By 485BC, the Persians, under King Darius (521-486BC), had restored control over the rebellious Greek cities.  The battle of Marathon (490BC) is perhaps the single and the most important battle in Greek history; moreover, it’s the greatest achievement of the Athenians’.(http://www.wsu.edu/~dee/GREECE/PERSIAN.HTM)

What does arts of Greece tell me about Greek culture? I think that Greece tell us about its culture through many aspects; like religion, art, education system, social system, architecture, diet, clothing, music etc.,Hereunder are the few briefs of above mentioned;  Religion- the ancient Greeks were a deeply religious people. They worshipped many gods whom they believed appeared in human form, as we can see from Greek literature and mythology, recorded men’s interactions with various gods and goddesses. Art-We can see see Greek art through its funerary art, however the epitaphios or funeral oration was regarded as of great importance, and animal sacrifices were made. Education-Military training- Sparta-RThe goal of education in Sparta, an authoritarian, military city-state, was to produce soldier-citizens who were well-drilled, well-disciplined marching army.Diet-Food in Ancient Greece consisted of grains, figs, wheat to make bread, barley, fruit, vegetables, breads, cake, seafood, and drank milk and wine. (http://www.crystalinks.com/greekculture.html)

How does Greece geography affect their culture? Much of Greece is mountainous and rocky terrain, with the occasional plain. About 20% of Greece is make up of islands. Therefore, firstly, most of Greek live along the coast or along rivers and harbors, so they were suitable for city-building and the associated city-supporting agriculture, then Greek civilization in the classical period grew up as independent “polis” city-states. Secondly, it was limited agricultural land for the growing of crops. so the ancient Greek leaders encouraged colonies in more suitable areas and took place in large scale trade. The consequent was that they conducted lots of trade-getting rich in the process and became good enough at maritime pursuits to be able to use the navy to fend of a major attempt by the Persians to invade them.(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greece)

What are some good inventions that ancient Greek has? There are many good inventions that ancient Greek has, like water screw, a device for raising water using an encased screw open at both ends. Now we call it “ Archimedes screw” and it is still in use today. Levers are one of the basic tools, scissor, pliers, hammer claws, nutcrackers, and tongs. The other good inventions like “Cataplult”, “Heron”, “Steam Engine”, “Umbrella”. (http://www.enchantedlearning.com/inventors/greece.shtml)                                                 5. What are the festivals or sports that ancient Greek has? The Greeks had a lunar calendar that does not correspond to ours so their holiday dates have little meaning to us. Their holidays corresponded to festivals for the various deities, like Panhellenic Festivals-it took place Olympic games, pythian games, Isthmian Games and Nemean Games. Moreover, Athenian and Attic Festivals are spreadably in different month, the other festivals like Asclepieia, Gymnopaidiai, Carnea, Heraea, Daidala, Eleutheria, Lyycaea and Hyancinthia.( http://www.fjkluth.com/festival.html)

Humanities-make-up Assignment for Nov. 18th, 2008

Humanities-Nov. 18th, 2008

A Research Question Ancient Greece

What did a daily life in Ancient Greece look like?

Ancient Greek culture reached its pinnacle during the fourth century BC- an era described as its “ Golden Age”, theater, music, poetry, philosophy, and political experiments such as democracy flourished. In Athens, society was male-dominated - only men could be citizens and only upper-class males enjoyed a formal education. Women had few political rights and were expected to remain in the home and bear children.  Most homes were modest, windowless and wrapped around a courtyard. Furniture was rare. People spent the majority of the day out of doors enjoying the mild Mediterranean climate. The Greek diet was also modest, based largely on wine are bread. A typical day would start with bread dipped in wine, the same for  lunch and a dinner of wine, fruits, vegetables and fish. Greek would reserve the meat for special occasions such as religious holidays.

Firstly, Greek men ran the government, and spent a great deal of their time away from home. When not involved in politics, the men spent time in the fields, overseeing or working the crops, sailing, hunting, in manufacturing or in trade.  As the entertaining, in addition to drinking parties, the men enjoyed wrestling, horseback riding, and the famous Olympic Games. When the men entertained their male friends, at the popular drinking parties, their wives and daughters were not allowed to attend.

Secondly, with the exception of ancient Sparta, Greek women had very limited freedom outside the home. If they had their husband’s permission to do so, they could attend weddings, funerals, some religious festivals, and could visit females neighbors for brief periods of time. In their home, Greek women were in charge! Their job was to run the house, make the clothes, and bear children.  

Thirdly, the ancient Greeks considered their children to be “youths” until they reached the age of 30! In Athens, as in most Greek city states, with the exception of Sparta, girls stayed at home until they were married. As for boys, in most Greek city-states, when young, the boys stayed at home, helping in the fields.

Humanities-make-up Assignment for Nov. 14th, 2008

Humanities Assignment -Nov. 14th, 2008

ESPRAT

Taiwan

Firstly, I would like to talk about the following questions based on my nation “ Taiwan” .

What is the Economic ( business) system? The economic system of Taiwan is Capitalism, people in Taiwan are developing businesses in varied field. Let’s take technology for instance, Taiwanese government has been assisting and supporting our domestic enterprises on the development of cutting edge technology. With the endeavors that our government and cooperation of domestic enterprises, now we can see the brilliant fruits from their efforts.

What does the Social system (daily life, classes, customs, etc.,) look like? 

First, the major characteristics of Taiwanese are diligent, persistent, and open-minded. Second, most people living in cities are white collar, they’re office workers in most. Basically, most of them are middle class, but with the increase of foreign labors demand, the gap between white colon and blue colon is getting bigger. Like the pyramid structure, the wealthy people at the top of the pyramid, and the poverty is occupied the most at the bottom of the pyramid.  

What is the Political (government) system? Who has the power? Taiwan is based on democratic system, and the leader of the nation, the president and the legislators pass the bill and make the laws.

What are the Religions? Describe them in detail.                 

a.Buddhism is the major religion in Taiwan. It’s based on the teachings attributed to Siddhartha Gautama, the Buddha.  b. Christian- It’s a monotheistic religion centered on the life and teaching of Jesus of Nazareth.                    c. Muslim-It’s an adherent of the religion of Islam.                                                          

d. Taoism-It refers to a variety of related philosophical and religious traditions and concepts.

What are the various Arts ( especially those your nation is known for)?

There are several Taiwanese traditional arts like Taiwanese opera, Taiwanese puppetry, Taiwanese pottery, and Taiwanese aboriginal people’s artwork on craft work and music creation. Moreover, there are many famous art pieces in our national palace museum, such as the well-known “ Jadeite Cabbage with insects”.

Make-up Current news for 11/11 to 11/15

A serious social issue- Children murderer

There was a little girl in the states, and she had been killed. Police found a bag with bones inside in a forest. They thought that the little girl's mother might kill her, but her mother claimed that she didn't. It's the housekeeper took her daughter. Nowadays, more and more brutal murderers committed inhumane crimes, I think that we should sort out and solve those existing social problems to deter those terrible crimes happen and being detrimental to our society.

Make-up current event for 11/11 to 11/15

Music can be one of the tools of punishment to the prisoners

Music is always one of the greatest inventions from Human beings. According to the scientific research, music does help people and animals to release the tension. Therefore, listening to music is a nice way to relax when you have a lot of pressure. But now Us army used the loud and heavy metal music to abuse prisoners.

Humanities Assignment-Nov. 11th, 2008

Humanities Assignment-Nov. 11th, 2008

1.What does a government do?

It is the organization, that is the governing authority of a political unit and the ruling power in a political society,and the apparatus through which a governing body functions and exercises authority. Government, with the authority to make laws, to deal with the disputes, and to make administrative decisions for the entire nation, and provide a better place for its people to live in.(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Government)

Humanities assignment on Nov. 14th, 2008-FAT questions

Humanities assignment-Nov. 14th, 2008-FAT questions (Greece, Rome)

1.What sports/ games do people enjoy?

Many of the games played in the Olympic Games of ancient Greece are still included in the

Olympics today. Three of these games are boxing, weightlifting, and the pentahalon. All of

those events are still included in Olympics today. As for ancient Roman, they had Gladiators,

Roman games (Field & Track), Ball games, and Board games. 

(http://oncampus.richmond.edu/academics/education/projects/webunits/greecerome/Greecesports1.html)

2. How do people dress?

Generally, Roman men wore two garments, the tunica and the toga. The tunica was a short woolen

under garment with short sleeves. But actually, to wear a long tunic with long sleeves was considered

effeminate and was generally avoided by society as a whole. 

(http://www.unrv.com/culture/ancient-roman-clothing.php)

3. Did Greece fight with other country? Why?

Wars were very common in ancient Greece. The Greeks lived in little city-states, each one like a small town in the

United States today, with more than about 100,000 people in each city-state, like Athen, Sparta, Corinth, Thebes-

were always fighting each other over their borders. Often they would get together in leagues, a lot of city-states

together, to fight as allies. (http://www.crystalinks.com/greekwars.html)

4.What are the religion in Greece or Roman?

Greek religion-encompasses the collection of beliefs and rituals practices in ancient Greece in the form of both popular

public religion and cult practices. Moreover, Greek people all recognized the 13 major gods and goddess: Zeus,

Hera, Poseidon, Apollo, Artemis, Aphrodite, Ares, Dionysus, Hephaestus, Athena, Hermes, Demeter, and Hestia.

(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ancient_Greek_religion 

Roman religion - encompasses the collection of beliefs and rituals practised in ancient Rome in ancient Rome in

the form of cult practices. It's therefore the practical counterpart of Roman mythology.

(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Religion_in_ancient_Rome)

5.Why Olympic are from Greece?

The ancient Olympic Games, part of a major religious festival honoring Zeus, the chief Greek god,

were the biggest event in their world. They were the scene of political rivalries between people from

different parts of the Greek world, and the site of controversies, boasts public announcements and

humiliation.(http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/Olympics/spirit.html)

Humanities current event make-up assignment for week Nov. 01 to Nov. 04

                A Brutal Killer in China

A man in china killed 11 people in three years. the judge wanted to execute him to death penalty. The policeman in china said that this bloody killer killed two of his neighbors and their sisters and daughters. He also killed four taxi drivers. And killed two men that he know in his office. I can't figure out why this man could be such brutal and killed those people around him, I only can assume  that he was under too much stress of his own problems in the life. Hopefully there won't be too many people who have

mental issues would harm more innocent people.

Humanities current event make-up assignment for week Nov. 01 to Nov. 04

Killing in the Pub

In America. There is a big pub. One night a man went there to have a drink. And he also smoked. But smoking is not allowed in the pub. The waiter wanted the men not to smoke. But the man wouldn't listen, therefore the bar manger ordered not to offer drink to him. What came next, this consequence made the man angry then killed the bar manger. From centuries ago, human beings have been controlling by alcohol for addiction, addictive drinkers may lose consciousness then cause the unchangeable and detrimental things forever.

Ghost and Thief

There's a thief who tried to steal something from a house when the family was out traveling, but when he goes in, and wants to get out. He feel a ghost was grabbing him and wouldn't let him out; he couldn't move, until the family got back.

Pizza And Gun

There's a man in America. He is a pizza boy. One day when he was sending pizza, three robbers with guns came out and wanted to rob him. He has no weapon, so he uses the big and hot pizza, throws it on the robbers, and calls the police

Bush and Democrats Come Close to Auto Deal

Bush and Congress Democrats come close to legislating an auto bailout deal for the American people. I truly feel that the auto industry has been guided by incompetent CEOs who cannot and would not prioritize the production of energy efficient cars on their agenda. Now that Ford, GM and Chrysler all need a bailout from the taxpaying dollars of the American people. 

However, I strongly believe that after the auto bailout, the American auto industry will emerge stronger than before. Hopefully, then, will these American auto companies be guided by competent leadership.

Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich Arrested by FBI

Illinois governor Rod Blagojevich was arrested by the FBI on charges of conspiracy and soliciting bribes. Blagojevich was thought to have auctioned the Senate seat vacated by President-elect Barack Obama to the highest bidder. The other Illinois Senator Dick Durbin said that he felt that the Senate appointment process was taking a bit long and that he sensed that something was out of the ordinary. 

I think that it is wrong to profit off a special Senate seat appointment. As a public servant, one must not be influenced by money. I think Blagojevich has strayed too far in not displaying a just and moral character. This is a shameful day for America.  

Hanging Fire

-Hanging Fire-

I think the main idea of this poem is common complex and confrontation among the teens. The main character of the poem is a fourteen-year-old boy full of anguishes and unknown restless emotion. 

The form of this poem is in simple structure in simple present tense description. Moreover, each major paragraph starts with “I”, obviously the speaker used the first person speaking tone to express his problem and thoughts. There aren’t any metaphors used but clear, and strong expression. The author clearly expressed his restless and confusion on what he was and what he would be. 

From the first paragraph "I'm fourteen and my skin has betrayed me", it reveals the speaker's interior world was still a little boy even though his look and skin was transforming into an teenager and he's doing those stuff like a modern teenager does, like going to a school party. In addition, the speaker thought he might die young, and on one would care even his own mother. "Momma's in the bedroom with the door closed" is repeating at the last sentence of each paragraph. Even the speaker was angry with all those pain-in-the neck stuff have to be done, but the door of his mother's bedroom just like the door between he and his mom is always shut off. 

All in all, it's a poem describing a teenager with a young man's look but still a boy living inside him, and his helpless and loneliness to the painful growth. Moreover, he was longing for his mom would give him a hand whenever he needed. Though the price for growing is painful and long, the price is the promising future and fruits during the youth. However, the speaker only tasted the pain and the helpfulness he's suffering from his grow-up, what he thought of is how short his life would be before growing up. I think that all the teenagers would like to get attention and be loved, if they don't get it, the anguish would be just like a "hanging fire" lingering in their mind all the time.

2.5 million jobs by Obama!

President-elect Barack Obama on Saturday outlined some of his plan to create 2.5 million jobs by 2011, and he will push for immediate action by Congress when he takes office in January.

Obama wants to make public buildings more energy-efficient, repair roads and bridges, modernize schools, increase broadband access and ensure that health care professionals have access to the latest technology.

"Our government now pays the highest energy bill in the world," he said and "We need to upgrade our federal buildings by replacing old heating systems and installing efficient light bulbs. That won't just save you, the American taxpayer, billions of dollars each year. It will put people back to work."

"In addition to connecting our libraries and schools to the Internet, we must also ensure that our hospitals are connected to each other through the Internet."

"These are a few parts of the economic recovery plan that I will be rolling out in the coming weeks. When Congress reconvenes in January, I look forward to working with them to pass a plan immediately.I think that our Taiwan government can also make some plans to accelerate economy recovery; like creating more job opportunities would be the first task for our government to think it over and move it as faster as it can.

Is this Obama speaking?

After American presidential election, the first task of the new American President "Obama" is trying to call up the government officers of  the opposite party to devote their efforts to solve the national current crisis. But the funny thing is when Obama made these calls, some people wouldn't believe those calls from Obama's office, they thought it was a prank from someone else. So they didn't answer the phone after all. Ha! No wonder some people would think of it this way, who could imagine that Obama would make a call to you!

Clinton Joins Obama Team

Obama tapped Hillary Clinton as his Secretary of State nominee on Monday. This marked one of the few times where two former presidential rivals joined together to strive for USA. Obama praised Hillary Clinton's intelligence and toughness, while Clinton expressed her excitement in joining the Obama team. Clinton also expressed that she will be missing her constituents from the State of New York. Obama stated that Clinton is "the right person for the job of helping restore America's image abroad, end the war in Iraq, advance peace and increase our security".

US Economy Officially In A Recession

The National Bureau of Economic Research officially announced that the US is in a recession. The Treasury of Secretary admitted the news.  As a result of investor bailout and the news that US is in a recession, Dow Jones Index lost 680 points, the fourth largest single-session decline in history. 

In the past, I have observed that not only the US is in a recession, so is Japan and Germany, the world's second and third largest economy. I think the economic downturn will continue for a while. I hope however, that afterwards the world will emerge stronger than ever economically.