Lee McKinnis (57)
Kristina Marynczak (37)
Killian Noonan (36)
Melissa Castillo (32)
NikoVelazquez (27)
Shannon Ratzel (23)
Michelle Reyes (22)
Kyle Barczak (21)
Maura Bilek (21)
Susan Bayaa (21)
For this weeks journal, I want to reflect on the recent fair I attended and participated in on Tuesday. I think the turn out was great and everyone had great presentations, especially the guest speakers who attended the function. I hope that the work that we did and presented to the school was helpful for other students to recognize the issues and were informed enough to actively get involved in service work in their future. I think in the future, the students presenting their topic should be required to stand next to their presentation instead of hiding behind their poster board or grouping up into segregated circles. I did notice people walking around and looking at each presentation without anyone standing there open to elaborate why their topic was important or even present to inform the viewers on any questions they may have had. I wish that I could have stayed longer, however I had a class at 12:30 I had to be at. I did return back to the library after my class and I brought someone from my other class to take a look at my project. I hope that my poster board was detailed enough for people walking by to be able to identify the organization I participated in helping and how other people can donate or get involved in the fight to reduce the communities hunger insecurity. I would be curious to hear some feedback from the people who attended the fair on their opinion on both my poster board and my presentation to the public. I was so happy to see the staff from Elsie’s Pantry were able to attend and mingle in the group to help their charity organization. I felt a great support by them and I hope that my efforts helped them out during my volunteer work. One of the staff members told me he was sad that my project was completed as far as volunteering and I laughed and told him my required volunteer time was up two weeks prior, and I still kept showing up to help. The staff also requested that if possible, I donate my poster board project to them, which I gladly obliged.
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Erin Murphy
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Erin Murphy
For this weeks Journal entry #11, I read Why White Rice? Chapter 11, “Why Dracula Sucks,” and I completely agree about the authors view on his perspective that there isn’t a boring topic, but boring writers, and the choice to not be boring. Agreed. I do believe that there is, in fact, boring topics but to those who are gifted writers, you have an opportunity to make anything interesting. I, for one, am an amateur writer who can write at a substandard level to date, however, I think that with imagination and talent, the possibilities when it comes to incredible work, any topic provokes the writer to come alive and write. I also believe that through thorough life experience and deep found thought; anyone has the innate ability to think not only within, but also outside the box of not only the thought but the inner stance of ones true opinion. Why stop at topics that only catch the attention based on experience or knowledge, is college not the reason to widen the horizon of critical thought? Well, I stand corrected about my stubborn way of writing when it interests me, rather than the basic safe topic that I can relate to. Why stop myself and shield my writing based on ease and simple slight use of my mind. A challenge is difficult because it requires a level plane that is unknown to my mind and may inhibit a perspective that I am not comfortable with. I accept that growing up is a challenge and I desire the pursuit to become a better person and writer.
Swanson, Troy. “Why Dracula Sucks.” Why White Rice? Thinking Through Writing. Kendall Hunt Pub, 2010. 182-83. Print -
Erin Murphy
Project #5: A Little Help Goes A Long Way
When Professor McGuire originally assigned the group service work project, I figured finding an organization to volunteer with would be a piece of cake. But the search for an organization that did not require a time commitment, or months of extensive training, including but not limited to a criminal background check and a medical clearance, has been nothing short of a nightmare. I honestly believe it would have been easier to find a paying job, than the acceptance of my time as a volunteer, which really is a shame. I scanned the Internet in search of any volunteer opportunities within a 30-mile radius, yet hit dead end after dead end. I proceeded to attempt to evoke some assistance on Facebook, figuring someone out of the large volume of friends, would be able to give me some direction towards a promising acceptance into local charity work, and hit more walls. I left many voicemails, and sent out emails, still keeping in mind that my urgency is not their problem, but I grew frustrated by the lack of return calls. As I woke up the next day for class, my stress level hit an all-time high, when suddenly my phone rang by an unfamiliar number. Finally, after many calls and emails, I got a call back from a woman named Beth who was in charge of the volunteer work by a local church letting me know she was able to find a place where I could volunteer at, incidentally right across the street from Moraine Valley, which was an unexpected convenience after a week of stressing out about where to get my service work completed. Even more convenient, I was able to start my service work the day the called me back which started almost immediately after I got out of class. I was elated and nervous to start, not knowing any background about the organization. As I walked up to the Moraine Valley Community Church, I noticed a small gathering of people standing by a locked door on the side of the church. I immediately realized these were the clients who I would be assisting during this particular food pantry shift. I quietly greeted them, feeling slightly embarrassed that I had brought leftovers from the restaurant I had just eaten at, and rang the doorbell on the door waiting to be let into the building. An older woman with a warm smile and motherly presence greeted me and immediately directed me to a room lined with ceiling high shelves stocked with various cans and boxes of food and beverages. I looked around overwhelmed at all the food items that were provided by this organization, and it was then that I realized what exactly a food pantry entailed. A food pantry is a type of grocery shopping-like experience for those who suffer from food insecurity. The supplies for The Moraine Valley Community Church food pantry is donated by a much larger organization called The Greater Chicago Food Depository, which is a nonprofit dispensary and training center in Chicago that assists other smaller organizations throughout the Chicago land areas with providing food for those who suffer from hunger. GCFD is a name I am familiar with because earlier in the semester, some of the students in my class did their volunteer work with them, and came back to class to briefly describe their experience. So after a quick instruction on how much food to ration out to each person, she opened the front door, and a crowd poured into the check-in area of the church. I greeted the clients, and showed them what was available for them from each shelf, and made friendly conversation with each person for the short duration of their visit. A slow spell hit, and I asked if there was anything that I could assist them with, whether it was stocking of the pantry, or anything else around the church that needed to be done. A quiet woman named Tommy immediately perked up and told me she had plenty of stocking and bagging of the animal food. I looked at her puzzled, and without haste followed her into the stock room that I had originally been in to put my purse down. In the corner was a small section of cat and dog food bags and treats, and I am sure she saw my face lit up because she giggled at my reaction and told me to grab a bag of food. I had no idea that the food pantry also provided a supplemental bag of food to the hunger clients who had pets. I understand that most people may have the opinion that if someone cannot afford to feed themselves, they definitely should not have a pet, however I have a much different view on this confliction. Yes, these people are going through difficult enough times feeding themselves and possibly a family, but why take away the possibly only happiness in their life when there is programs that can help assist them with their pet. I think that is so incredible, and it was an added bonus I wasn’t anticipating to encounter, so I proceeded to break down the big bag of dog food into smaller portions into Ziploc bags and continued to do this until the pantry closed. The volunteers and employees treated me like I was one of their own and welcomed me to their after hours pizza party and various other events that they intend to plan. I felt a part of something and this feeling made me feel as though I belong to not just a good cause but to a group of beautiful people who donate their time religiously for no other reason than to help out their community and make a difference in other peoples lives.
So after my first experience at the church, I look forward to my next visit so I can get a chance to learn more about the history of the food pantry and how the volunteers and employees originally got involved in this cause. I have two scheduled visits this week, and if time permits, I will continue to work with them for the duration of the semester as well. I found the experience so inspiring and uplifting that I more than happy to dedicate my time to the church, and the hungry clients and pets. I also inquired about additional ways that people in my class can get involved in other aspects of their organization and they gladly offered me contact information for my fellow students if they were interested. The church is always looking for money and food donations, as well as cat and dog food, toys, and bedding. There are other organizations the church and other volunteers work with outside of the food pantry that are always looking for volunteers.
What I hope to accomplish and gain more knowledge through this service assignment is not only to give back to those who are less fortunate than I am and embrace the difference that a little help and kindness makes on another person, but to also provoke more desire to continue to get involved in my community well after this semester is over. I also feel that being a more productive leader is also an important aspect of this group project and to diligently delegated tasks to my fellow group members. The purpose of this assignment is to work together as a group and be a team, which makes the project more difficult due to scheduling and communication conflicts that may arise. The Moraine Valley Community Church has a marginally flexible schedule for their volunteers to work 2 hours a day, 2 days a week. I am confident that my group will be able to fit this fulfillment into their schedules and find this experience inspiring and hopefully life-changing just as it affected me. -
Erin Murphy
For this week’s journal entry I decided to write it on “The One That Got Away,” by Tom Dow. I enjoy this writer because I think he leaves his writing open to interpretation and provokes questions to come into my head wanting to know more about him and where he gets his inspiration from when he writes. I prefer to write freely and with no direction from the professor and syllabus, but to just write. I feel that most of my best work is done with some music on and to freely let my fingers do the walking. I feel that when I am given a specific topic to write about, I tend to get lost trying to find some sort of meaning behind a topic I tend to careless about. I feel that my message is forced out of requirement, rather than from my heart. I also find that I have much more powerful emotion when it comes to choosing what I write about and then letting the reader interpret what they understood from my work. I think it also gives me a different perspective on how interesting and individualistic the human mind is and how advanced the cognitive thought in our mind really is. Dow, on the other hand, found difficulty choosing his own topic to write about, which I found intriguing. I don’t understand how you can write passionately unless it is about a topic that you choose. I couldn’t effectively write a ravishing paper on something that I don’t care about.
Dow Tom, “The Ones That Got Away”, Why White Rice? Thinking Through Writing. Kendall Pub, 2010.Print. Page 177-178. -
Erin Murphy
Journal #10, I am writing on a chapter I read on Why White Rice? I found the section titled “Why I had to Write This Chapter,” particularly interesting because the writer discussed creativity in writing and the importance of writing critically. I think, as a student who is not an advanced writer, that when I hear about writing critically, I assume this to be writing on a level of actual perceptive thought versus just quickly completing an assignment. But it is more than just putting thought into your work, it’s about thinking beyond the level of linear thought and opinion, but questioning, researching, and opening our minds to the bigger picture. I am guilty of Googling a topic and lazily clicking on one of the first five sites and trusting that what is discussed and said, to be true is confirmation that it is the set in stone truth. Also when I discuss a topic with my fellow peers, that I tend to lean towards the person who seem to really have an opinion and have all kinds of facts to back it up versus the ones who aren’t as aggressive in the debate. I have come to learn that this person may have a biased view due to their strong beliefs. Agreeing with them and carrying their view is not thinking critically because without a normal amount of skepticism, this is how people tend to go along with the status quo. I hate to bring up evidence of history, but isn’t this how terrorism and the exact genocide of the Holocaust occurred? I think it is easier for people to just go with the flow of agreement; however, my favorite saying is “only dead fish go with the flow.”
McGuire, Michael. “WHY I HAD TO WRITE THIS CHAPTER.” Why White Rice? Thinking Through Writing. Kendall Hunt Pub, 2010. 136-37. Print. -
Erin Murphy
For this weeks journal entry #9 I am referencing the chapter 6 section of ‘’Writing is Limitless.” Limitless writing, hmmmm, first I want to circumvent what this means to me. Limitless writing is like letting the leash off your dog. Letting go and unleashing anything unimaginable without censorship or judgments. Limitless means no end. That’s exactly what this is to me. As part of the journal exercise I am releasing my mental diary here, and I will indeed follow the protocol of the exercise. I think that it is understated how important a brief writing session is in class. One that doesn’t have a regimented basis, but more, one that is a free flow of thought. Isn’t that where creativity is derived from? The honest and non-structured thought basis that originates from a song, a picture, a moment in time, or nothing. Where else does creativity come from besides random thought process? I would say, what is more important than a structured writing technique or assignment? Maybe one that provokes the very creativity that our minds already have that hasn’t been triggered. I believe that limitless indicates no boundaries. No judgment. No rules. This particular journal I exercised my limitless thinking and writing and I didn’t stop until my finger got an acute cramp. I think the most creative writing occurs when there is no set limit for what one can write about, but about how their mood in that situation strikes. Our minds are incredible and creative and very colorful in all aspects of the world. My mind can be the most beautiful or the darkest neighborhood one can ever encounter. The beauty is within the individual.
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Killian Noonan
Very good Erin! though might I point out when you are doing a RJEs, you want to click the “reading/journals” tab on the dashboard on Splatter. When you do that, a special bar area will come down below for your citation!
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Erin Murphy
For research journal #9, I have been thinking about the past 11 weeks or so in class. The obvious theme is service to both the community and the world; raising awareness about current issues that occurs on a daily basis. I would have to say that this class has been difficult to date based on the expected workload of assignments to be submitted in an orderly fashion. What this class has offered to me is it has been instrumental to opening my eyes to the tragedies that occurs around the world, and how little I have paid attention to these issues. I am almost embarrassed to say how futile my problems are in comparison to what other human beings experience on a daily basis. Had I not enrolled in this course with this particular professor, I may still have continued to obsess over my ridiculous everyday stresses and may have continued on with my life, without notice, to the catastrophic problems in this world such as literal starvation, and life threatening illness and disease that affects multiple thousands of people on a regular basis. Needless to say, this class has given me a perspective that I haven’t been exposed to, which is the apparent occurrence of disaster that exists outside my bubble. However inconvenient things are that currently exist in my life, will never compare to the horrors other people face and I am grateful that I am now more aware because I can take this exposure and actually do my best to contribute to organizations that help to make a difference.
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Prof McGuire
Good post, Erin, but for the RJEs you have to use and cite an actual source. That’s the idea of the RJE assignments. Maybe connect what you’ve said above to one source and offer the citation.
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Erin Murphy
After reading Bobby Harro’s, “Cycle of Socialization,” I stopped and thought about it for a while. Is there any way to make anyone equal or get along like Rodney King had quoted? Although in a perfect world, equality and peace would be a truly beautiful utopia, but a certain amount of conflict makes everyone their own different individual. I also do not agree that we are programmed into our own socialization groups, I believe we can choose to act and be a certain way on our own and just because we are introduced to one way of living within our own society, doesn’t mean it deciphers who we are and where we will end up. I do enjoy different perspectives because it is a good opportunity to widen the narrow tunnel I sometimes find myself in. Although open to different views, or at least I say I am, I think exposure to different people such as Harro really is part of the benefit of college learning. Although growing up, we are taught to act and behave a certain way, but with those regulations, came punishments if we didn’t. Once people grow up, I believe it to be up to them how they chose to live. Who is to say the very people who taught us to behave, were even correct in the first place. I was brought up raised by several caretakers of different cultures, all of which had different societal norms. What was accepted by one, was frowned on by another. This is where my unique personality came to birth and I decided myself to live who I saw fit, not about how the people in my surroundings necessarily accepted. I could discuss how that turned out for me, but eh, generally speaking, Harro had an interesting view and I enjoyed his perspective.
Harro, Bobby. “The Cycle Of Socialization” p. 15-21. 2012. splatter.writting101.net -
Erin Murphy
Working Locally to Help Globally
There was a point in my life (not actually that long ago) when some of the hardest decisions of my day were trying to figure out what color to paint my nails or what outfit to wear. That I found washing my car and taking out the trash complicated. Worst of all I would complain when I went to a restaurant and there were too many dishes on the menu for me to choose from. If these issues are my biggest overall struggle, I’m glad that the recent charity event I participated in was able to open my eyes to the worldwide issue of starvation. I think societies problem is that if an issue is out of sight, it is out of mind. I can’t honestly say that I ever been witness to people starving. To children so malnourish that their fragile little bones protrude so far they look like skeletons. I have seen pictures, I have heard about this ongoing tragedy on occasion. But, it never crossed my mind when I was overwhelmed with my frivolous and selfish nonsense, that there are people who are literally starving to death. There are children who go to bed not knowing if they will ever wakeup. I think this country would be more aware of this crisis if it was a local issue, but I don’t think the United States has many people starving to death, more so suffering from hunger and food insecurity. Our government helps people whom different public aid benefits and soup kitchens, but who is helping the people in less developed countries? That is where different charity groups come in, but more specifically, one that recently visited called Feed My Starving Children (incidentally I’m wearing a shirt I bought from there).
Feed My Starving Children is a Christian non-profit organization that has a handful of locations in the United States that focuses on feeding hungry children in almost one hundred countries around the world. I did not know what to expect as I approached the building. My first thought was hopefully the time will pass quickly and I’ll get home in time to watch the Bulls game. As I walked in, I was immediately greeted and led into a small lecture type of room for a brief overview and explanation from the staff about what we do and whom we are helping. The speaker was full of statistics that are definitely a good persuasive tactic if you are trying to sell something, but I wasn’t prepared for where the emaciated photographs they pulled out of these children who each had hopeless and sad expression on their boney little faces. They presented a picture of a child they helped along with his name, age, and initial weight. The charity tracked the progress of this little boy for about a year and it was so inspiring how the very meals we were going to package were rapidly effective in nourishing these children. The organization formulated a precisely balanced meal which fed each fed a child six small meals. As we moved into the packaging room, the music came on, we all were laughing and having a great time as we raced against the clock to bag as many meals as possible. I can’t put into words the incredible vibe that was flowing through that room. The time flew by so quickly and I wished I could have stayed longer. At the end we all gathered back into the small lecture room and briefly discussed that as group we were able to feed 16 children for a year in just those couple hours. It’s truly breathtaking to know that 16 children aren’t going to be scared to go to bed and not wakeup. 16 kids are not going to worry when their next meal will be. In those couple hours, we made a difference. What that organization does for those famished children makes me want to help and join and organization so I can make a contribution. I never realized how serious worldwide starvation is until I went to Feed My Starving Children and was made more aware of a crisis I selfishly never took the time to think about.
Although I do think that charity work is such an incredible way for people to get involved in helping others less fortunate, I believe that service work is only addressing a symptom of a problem. Maybe if there was more awareness raised in every community, more people would get involved and more help would be offered to countries who need it. Maybe people would realize that they were interested in more activist-type organizations that tackle much larger issue by recognizing the problem and going to the source to address the structural problems such as environmental and ecology, health care reform, and human rights. Is it realistic to say that wiping out world hunger completely is possible? It isn’t an entirely impossible feat, but I think there are simple ways that people can get more involved. I think that Professor McGuire was onto a great idea, to incorporate service work into the curriculum. If more teachers did this, more students would participate whether it was something they were already interested in or even if they went due to the requirement, but either way its beneficial. Originally I was not extremely excited to attend service work, but after I left there, I went home and went online to look up organizations closer to home that I could get involved in. I donated blood at a local hospital, and I used a social network to try and motivate more people to join me. People have different motives as to why they get involved with charity work. Some do it because they truly want to anonymously want to make a contribution, and others do it for more selfish reasons stating that it was to make themselves feel better about doing something good and appreciate the recognition and the pat on the back. Either way, the participation helps somebody else. I think that schools could start implementing more awareness and arrange field trips to organization. High schools could require it for graduation or give extra credit.
If Feed My Starving Children had a closer location, I would definitely volunteer on a weekly basis, but due to scheduling conflicts and the distance, Its very difficult to go out there, however, this will not stop me from helping charities out in my community. I have checked a couple places out such as the Animal Welfare, Share Your Soles, and a nursing home my great aunt was at called Lexington. I feel that actually doing hands on volunteer work is more productive than donating money. I think it is such an emotional experience when you work with other people in the community to help people you don’t even know just to be proactive in giving back to society and helping those in less fortunate positions. I wish I had been aware of the Feed My Starving Children Organization because the experience truly changed my life and my view on charity work. I found the cause so inspirational that I will continue to get involved in different organizations, and convince others to join me and be active as well. I hope that Professor McGuire continues to expose people to such an important part of working together to help others and maybe other teachers may follow his lead and incorporate service work into their classes as well. Moraine Valley could also start a group that does volunteer work and maybe provide carpooling for further convenience for students to participate. If we all work together locally to think globally, maybe the love will spread and continue to grow into a bigger movement.
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Keitha Cheeks
I love the title of the article it is perfect for a topic like this. I’m glad that I had to work outside my group to finish my reviews because this one was different from the other two I reflected upon. It’s about a charity for starving families. That’s a really good one that I wish I would have been a part of because I really feel the sorrow for those people who are starving and for those mothers and fathers who can’t provide for their families. I’ve actually heard of feed my starving children but I didn’t exactly know it was a charity to collect food to give to starving people. Erin did a good job of explaining what the foundation is. I like the fact that Erin mentioned that it is non-profit. Non-profit organizations are the best ones to me because you know the people are actually doing it for the cause. They fully conduct it for the purpose and that is to feed the starving people without getting paid for it. The only reward is the feeling that you’ve done something good for other people who can’t have what you have every day. Every day more and more people become a victim of starvation and unfortunately there is no way to put an end to the issue completely but charities like this are helpful. One thing is a lot of these charities reach out to far places like outside the country. I believe that there should be huge foundations like these to help inner country people even inner city. There are a lot of hungry people in this state that are hungry who don’t have food and don’t have any organization to help. I do think it is very helpful for our state to reach out to Africa and feed starving people. People like me who have something to eat every day and say things like “I’m so hungry I could eat a cow ” or “I’m starving like Marvin” they don’t even actually know what starving is like. I know I’ve said some of those phrases before and compared to those people who have not had absolutely nothing to eat in days maybe weeks I wouldn’t even have a clue of what starving is. Erin did a pretty good job explaining what this service was all about and how it was conducted. It brought a lot of these thoughts to my head about different things I could do to help. I could only imagine the feeling of those people who enjoy helping every day when they hear how much they have helped gather and how many people it’s going to feed. And once the food has been shipped to them they have the greatest relief feeling that they accomplished something so extraordinary. I would love to feel a part of this and with the influence this essay has left on me I will definitely start getting involved more and volunteering in charities to feed people and clothe people who can’t afford it.
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Emmanuel Morales
The title fits perfectly with this well written critical response that Erin wrote. I always enjoy reading Erin’s work because she expresses her mind, something that some people lack on their papers. “There was a point in my life (not actually that long ago) when some of the hardest decisions of my day were trying to figure out what color to paint my nails or what outfit to wear. That I found washing my car and taking out the trash complicated. Worst of all I would complain when I went to a restaurant and there were too many dishes on the menu for me to choose from”. The above statement was a great way to introduce the topic of starvation. I really liked how she literally tells us the little things a lot of people in today’s society complain about. I find myself guilty on complaining about little things in life. I always complain about homework when I was younger because all I wanted to do was to spend my time outside. I rarely think about how other people in the world live their day compared to mine. “There are children who go to bed not knowing if they will ever wakeup. I think this country would be more aware of this crisis if it was a local issue, but I don’t think the United States has many people starving to death, more so suffering from hunger and food insecurity”. I agree with this statement because to be honest most people won’t pay attention to issues globally until it starts to become a problem locally. Once it starts at home people will start to complain and try to resolve the issue as soon as possible. While other countries problems get placed on hold. It saddens me that until something tragic happen we act quickly to respond to the issue. I wish we would just act when we need to not when it is convenient. “Feed My Starving Children is a Christian non-profit organization that has a handful of locations in the United States that focuses on feeding hungry children in almost one hundred countries around the world. I did not know what to expect as I approached the building. My first thought was hopefully the time will pass quickly and I’ll get home in time to watch the Bulls game”. On her next paragraph Erin goes by introducing us to the organization called Feed My Starving Children and states how it is a non-profit organization with several locations in the United States. She mentions the organizations goal, feeding hungry children in almost one hundred countries around the world. First expectations are very important because it would leave you with either a dramatic change or none at all. How Erin really hope time will fly by just to get home on time to watch the bulls game is a realistic thought that even I myself had when I participated in my service learning organization. To spend four hours of our time seemed a lot but when I finished it went a lot quicker than I expected and left me with a whole different perspective on the issue. That’s the main thing I enjoy by doing this activity, it really leaves you with a whole different perspective. Erin did a great job as always, this paper grabbed my attention from beginning to the end. As I stated before, I really enjoy Erin’s way of writing because she is honest with her work and really open minded.
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Dawn Murry
I totally agree with Erin about problems or decision that we have to make on a day to bases isn’t as hard as it seems. I think about the same thing getting my nails done, doing my hair or even trying to dress to impress whatever event that I’m going to. Things aren’t that important when you hear about an organization on “Feeding My Starving Children”. That title along makes me get the chills because no one should ever be without getting food especially children. That like my three year old son, saying mommy my stomach is talking to me. I right away always try to get him a meal put together to make sure that his stomach no longer talks to him. If I can’t provide anything else to him that he may need or even want. I know there is a way to get food. My heart truly hurts when I hear other countries can’t get food because here in the United States if a family can’t provide food for their kids there are so, many options for you to get it. You can go to a neighborhood food pantry, you can maybe call a friend or even go to our wonderful State of Illinois and they can give you food stamps. I feel that we have too many options. Erin, you are right when you are walking into something like this you have no clue what you are getting yourself into. But, pretty sure when left you had gain a lot of knowledge on the situation on why this was an important service event to attend. I agree once you give your time and self for such a wonderful cause you just are in tuned to provide more of your time for a great cause. I can relate how you went home to try and find other events to provide service to. It is just a thing to be part of. We need to give back sometimes. It will not hurt. It is a great thing that Professor McGuire is exposing people to such a great causes. I feel it helps you understand the meaning of giving back and see how much in life you are grateful for. It takes services events like the one’s Professor McGuire has exposed us to in order for us to understand the problems that we thought we had. We may not be able to pay a bill but, at least we have the option on how can we get the bill paid. You also may not have money for gas but, at least we are able to drive places or even get rides around town. There are so, many different things these service events out on your mind.
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Gazi Murrar
Erin starts her paper by telling us about a point in her life where some of the hardest decisions for her to make were; what color should she paint her nails or if she was going to wash her car and taking out the trash. After Erin visited the (Feed My Starving Children) program she figured out the problems that she faces in her life are nothing compared to all the starving children and adults around the world that day in and day out they sleep wondering if they are going to have food tomorrow morning when the wake up or at all. Erin tells us more about the organization how when you get to the place that they pack the food in. As soon as you walk in they start by briefing you about the organization and telling them about the statistics but as she sad “The speaker was full of statistics that are definitely a good persuasive tactic if you are trying to sell something, but I wasn’t prepared for where the emaciated photographs they pulled out of these children who each had hopeless and sad expression on their boney little faces.” Then they moved her by the story of the children that they track to see the success of the food, “They presented a picture of a child they helped along with his name, age, and initial weight. The charity tracked the progress of this little boy for about a year and it was so inspiring how the very meals we were going to package were rapidly effective in nourishing these children. The organization formulated a precisely balanced meal which fed each fed a child six small meals. As we moved into the packaging room, the music came on, we all were laughing and having a great time as we raced against the clock to bag as many meals as possible. I can’t put into words the incredible vibe that was flowing through that room. The time flew by so quickly and I wished I could have stayed longer.” She also goes on by telling the reader that if it was not a far drive for her she would love to do the volunteering on weekly base, she also said that she did do more volunteering things to help others in her community. “I have checked a couple places out such as the Animal Welfare, Share Your Soles, and a nursing home my great aunt was at called Lexington. I feel that actually doing hands on volunteer work is more productive than donating money.” I agree with Erin on that. Good paper keep up the good work.
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Grzegorz Forgiel
Erin the one thing that caught my eye right away was the title, very creative. You started out by telling us how you looked at the world and you were honest about it, and well I think we were all like that although some of us for example guys were not necessarily debating on the color of nail polish but other things but that was not necessarily a bad thing, we had and have other things to worry about but now we are getting older and have an idea of what is going on around the world. Back then no one really told us about it and im sure there we good reasons why they did not, instead of worrying about ourselves we would be doing everything and anything to help out others, now although that is not a bad thing but it would not be a good thing either if all we did was worry about people. As you described what you did, and how you felt it made me feel like I was there at the moment and you were the speaker you did a really good job with that I felt the emotion and picture the event as if I was standing there right now. It sounds like you had a great time although I did not go to that volunteer organization it sounds like something I would like to try one day. I also learned that there are hundreds of these FMSC buildings I really did not know there was that many, that is mind boggling to think about, but it is good because if they have capable of opening all these new ones that means people are getting involved to help these poor children out. In this section “Maybe if there was more awareness raised in every community, more people would get involved and more help would be offered to countries who need it. Maybe people would realize that they were interested in more activist-type organizations that tackle much larger issue by recognizing the problem and going to the source to address the structural problems such as environmental and ecology, health care reform, and human rights.” although you have a good idea here, I think it can be more powerful, I think it would be a good idea to take out the “maybe” because it makes you sound like you are not confident like you do not believe that if we had to do that, then maybe some people would not jump on the opportunity, because that section is a main part of what would change some ones mind to participate in making it a bigger picture to the world. With the part where you state “I think that schools could start implementing more awareness and arrange field trips to organization. High schools could require it for graduation or give extra credit.” although that does sound like a good idea I feel that these kids would fall off track with there own thing that they have to do, you still have to keep in mind that people still need to worry about finishing high school and college, I think that if anything we should have one day out of the month where a certain city has to volunteer to a near organization like for example Sundays when most people have off. But otherwise it was a great paper I really did enjoy reading it, kept me focus on the topic and I look forward to reading more of your upcoming papers.
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Erin Murphy
While reading Why White Rice, a section in chapter 7.4 Art, Plagiarism, Creativity, and Your Credibility caught my attention. I have worried that sometimes after writing papers for long hours, that I due to exhaustion if I’ve ever forgotten to cite information I found during my research. I even made sure to ask my teachers if revising my own work that I did in a previous class and handing it in to my next class was considered plagiarism. All, I know is, I definitely don’t ever want to misrepresent someone else’s work into my own, the consequences alone are enough of a deterrent to check and recheck my work before I submit it to my professors. Before, I attended college, I heard the word, but didn’t know much about what it meant or why it was wrong. Once I started at Moraine Valley Community College, the issue was discussed in every class and every semester, stressing how important it was for students to do their own work and cite sources whenever other ideas were used. I think this is an important guideline to follow, because otherwise, there’s no room to excel in learning institutions. Although plagiarizing may be a lot easier, that frustration and mental block we all experience occasionally means our minds are being challenged, which is the purpose for attending college. I think the sharing and exchange of ideas are instrumental in building knowledge and opening ones mind to new perspectives, but to be taken seriously, you can’t replicate other peoples work and claiming them for your own. Nobody likes a copycat!
Troy Swanson, “Why White Rice? Thinking Through Writting” Chapter 7 “Mash it up…gracefully using sources” PGS. 163-174. Kendall Hunt -
Erin Murphy
Dear Editor,
I recently became more aware of the growing numbers of people lobbying to legalize medical marijuana in Illinois. To date, 16 states have approved the use of marijuana to treat various conditions and terminal illnesses such as cancer, HIV, and Multiple Sclerosis, and a couple other debilitating illnesses with no known cure. As a future medical health professional, I do not condone the use of illegal drugs, however after thorough research into the benefits of marijuana have medically in contrast to the detrimental long-term effects that pharmaceuticals cause on people that are currently being offered as the only therapy for their pain. I believe that if the use of medical marijuana helps more than harms, then more awareness can be raised about both the pros and cons of the legalization, and how more people involved in organizations that advocates for people that could benefit from access to another form of pain management. The common goal should be to support alternate forms of pain management in support for the optimal quality of life for those in pain. By withholding this medication from them, is not only cruel, but it leaves them with no other options, than taking highly addictive and damaging pharmaceuticals. If there are more articles and information put out there to the public, people may have an opportunity to learn more about alternate forms of medicine that other states are now offering to patients. Until recently, I was not even aware that marijuana had any medicinal purposes, and I am now I supporter of the legalization with the proper medical clearance by a doctor. With raised awareness about the subject, people can make a more informed decision about their stand on alternate treatment for very painful and terminal illnesses.
Sincerely,
Erin Murphy
Murphye88@student.morainevalley.edu-
Grzegorz Forgiel
Erin I think you did a great job at this, reading if I was the editor you would have definitely grabbed my attention. You used facts like 16 states have already legalized medical marijuana which already shows that it is not something to joke about. According to what you have wrote it is something important and it does work to cure pain such as “terminal illnesses such as cancer, HIV, and Multiple Sclerosis, and a couple other debilitating illnesses with no known cure” using examples like that is important because it shows the reader that these are legit illnesses and not something that people are making up. Using yourself as an example was a good idea because it shows that one day you may offer it to some of your patients in order to help them through the pain it shows that you did your research to be able to agree with them and that shows the editor that you are serious about this. ”I believe that if the use of medical marijuana helps more than harms, then more awareness can be raised about both the pros and cons of the legalization” I would take that out because it starts to question the reader on whether the reader would want to legalize it if there are cons to the product nobody likes cons. “The common goal should be to support alternate forms of pain management in support for the optimal quality of life for those in pain. By withholding this medication from them, is not only cruel, but it leaves them with no other options, than taking highly addictive and damaging pharmaceuticals.” this is good because it shows the reader that without it someone can laying down in gruesome pain for no reason when all they have to do is legalize medical marijuana and that patient can then be comfortable and the family members can be too knowing that their loved one is not in pain anymore.” If there are more articles and information put out there to the public, people may have an opportunity to learn more about alternate forms of medicine that other states are now offering to patients” you should have added some examples to this part of the paper because it would give the reader an opportunity to actually go and take a look at some articles and get more informed on his or her own time.” Until recently, I was not even aware that marijuana had any medicinal purposes, and I am now I supporter of the legalization with the proper medical clearance by a doctor” this is good because it shows that you too were once just a regular person that did not really know to much about it and just thought it was a bad thing to do until you did some research which shows the reader that maybe the reader can also do some research and also change his or her mind on the topic. Otherwise I think your point came across to the reader you did a great job with the amount of words that you had, you were descriptive and showed how important your issue was to you and how it important it should be to your readers out there, your grammar seemed pretty good I did not catch any errors myself. You did a great job and I look forward to reading more.
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Kyle Barczak
Erin, you did a great job at explaining why you think that medical marijuana should be legal in Illinois. Using statistics, like the one you used saying that 16 states have already approved the use of marijuana will really help grab the attention of readers and the editor. With you saying that you are planning on having a future as a medical health professional, I think that shows that you are very credible and shows that you did research on the topic rather than just wrote about something you believe in. Then again, you listing HIV, cancer, and Multiple Sclerosis shows that you’ve looked in to the situation, who it would be helping, and the side effects. Maybe in your letter to the editor you can provide examples as to how you would attempt raising awareness for medical marijuana and how you would get more people in the community involved.
I completely agree with everything you have to say though. Especially your sentence, “By withholding this medication from them, is not only cruel, but it leaves them with no other options, than taking highly addictive and damaging pharmaceuticals.” I also believe that those who are going through life with these diseases, taking damaging pharmaceuticals, may end up using marijuana illegally simply because they know that it’s going to help ease the pain that they are going through. So in the end, why not make the “drug” legal and make the lives of those who are suffering that much easier? As you said, there’s many more goods than bad’s that come with medical marijuana. Especially the amount of jobs that could potentially open in the United States.
If I had read your letter in a local newspaper or one of their websites, I would definitely respond with another letter to the editor agreeing with what you had said and pushing for them to help raise awareness on the situation. As previously stated, I believe there’s nothing better than trying to raise awareness, especially if you can provide examples of things to do for the editor, or go out and do them yourself. I’m sure you would surprise yourself, and many others, with how many supporters you could find in south chicago-land communities.
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Emmanuel Morales
Erin, let me start by saying your letter was very well worded and very focused on the issue of legalization. The tone in this letter makes the issue a lot more serious. The flow itself is good as well because you get straight to the point. The fact that you stated that 16 states have approved the use of marijuana exposes more reasons why this issue should be taken more serious. Another thing that caught my attention is that you said you are a future medical health professional that makes the reader or editor more aware that you know what you are talking about. It demonstrates that you are not some stranger who just wants to make marijuana legalize, it is something that you want to have in the medical field for your patients. “I believe that if the use of medical marijuana helps more than harms, then more awareness can be raised about both the pros and cons of the legalization, and how more people involved in organizations that advocates for people that could benefit from access to another form of pain management”. In this sentence you mention about pros and cons, you state the pros but forget to list some cons. It is very important to keep the reader inform about these pros and cons who they are fully aware why it is an issue in this country. “The common goal should be to support alternate forms of pain management in support for the optimal quality of life for those in pain. By withholding this medication from them, is not only cruel, but it leaves them with no other options, than taking highly addictive and damaging pharmaceuticals”. The above statement shows that you are human and believe people should be able to have an alternative for pain, by not giving them an option they become addicted to pharmaceuticals. One thing you could possibly add is a statistic on how many patients either become addicted or damage by these pharmaceuticals. Once a reader sees some kind of number statistic it really opens up their minds. “Until recently, I was not even aware that marijuana had any medicinal purposes, and I am now I supporter of the legalization with the proper medical clearance by a doctor”. It is very important exactly where you stand with this issue, stating that you would need proper medical clearance by a doctor reinstates that legalization is for medical purposes only. I myself support legalization because like you said, patients should get the alternative way to relieve pain. I don’t understand why we should keep giving them medication that in the long term use becomes addicting and damaging. The purpose of those medications is to help them not to make their conditions worse. It is definitely an issue that should be looked at more. I understand that America is not ready to fully support legalization because to them it is still a drug that grew up knowing it was a bad thing. The fact that no one has died from marijuana should raise a question to those who oppose it.
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Erin Murphy
This week’s journal entry is about how much I learned through the last research paper I submitted. After doing thorough research, I realized that I have stronger views about legalizing marijuana for medical purposes. I have a close friend who is suffering from a debilitating auto-immune disease and his everyday pain level is at about a 9 out of 10. Currently sixteen other states have legalized marijuana to help with the disease he has and the terrible symptoms he is experiencing. After submitting my paper on splatter, I emailed my friend a copy and went to visit him in the hospital, to educate him on what I learned. Because of my research, he intends to attend the next rally in Springfield this week, to support changing the legislature to legalize medical marijuana in the state of Illinois. People who aren’t in pain should be entitled to choose a more holistic and less detrimental means of coping and easing their pain. Pain pills are highly addictive, and cause permanent damage on the liver and kidneys, however, marijuana does not have these damaging side effects, yet can still help with the uncomfortable symptoms in the same way. I do not support illegal use of drugs by any means. It goes against everything I stand for as far as my future in the medical field and morally how I was brought up. But after doing more research on medical marijuana, I found that it helps more than harms, and I support helping people who don’t need to live a life in pain.
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Erin Murphy
At the end of class on Tuesday, we watched a short film called, “The Examined Life” discussing social justice. The speaker, Martha Nussbaum, explained the social contract approach, which explains the relationship between humans and their government and how the come together in political groups, basically protecting people from inherent danger, violence, or other crimes by living by a set compilation of rules. I think it was interesting that she believed that there’s not equality amongst people, that there is clearly an inferior justice because not everyone is the same. Some people have physical or mental disadvantages, women are built differently than men, people go through different changes as they grow older, etc. What I understood of this clip was she thinks that people are assumed to have roles in society, which sets the standards of social inequality. Producers are viewed as positive and capable member of society due to less assumed drag on the economy. They are seen as functioning, whereas the nonfunctioning people or feeders if you will, like the homeless, or the poor who are reliant on the government to survive, serve no other purpose than a drag on society. Contribution is viewed as productive and superior to those who aren’t. Further proving there definitely is a social inequality. The film also made me more aware that handicapped people are oppressed and stuck housebound due to lack of curbs to move around freely. If certain things were tweaked and people were made more aware of changes they could make to help people becoming more functioning and self-reliant.
— Nussbaum,Martha. “The Examined Life.” In-class. 22 Feb,2012 -
Erin Murphy
Topic Legalizing Medical Marijuana Controversy concerning the legalization…
Topic: Legalizing Medical Marijuana
Controversy concerning the legalization of medical marijuana
• Marijuana is classified as a Schedule 1 drug
• Public feels the legalization will glorify drug use
• Public misconceptions of the benefit of marijuana due to criminalizationBenefits of medical marijuana
• Helps with the management of chronic pain
• Relieves symptoms that occur in various conditions such as HIV, cancer, MS
• Less damaging effects than long-term use of pain pillsHow to get involved
• Join a local organization
• Attend a rally
• Sign a petition lobbying for legalizationConclusion: Legalizing meidcal marijuana stands to give patients with painful and debilitating conditions a chance to experience a better quality of life.
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Erin Murphy
Medical Marijuana
Medical marijuana has been a controversial issue for decades. Medicinal marijuana is physician-recommended form of medicine used to treat aliments that have been approved by a doctor in a states that has approved the legalization. But, many people feel that legalizing marijuana is sending a poor message children and society about allowing the use of a government deemed controlled substance. Is marijuana a controlled substance, a harmful drug that would only be setting up the future for habits and abuse? Or are there benefits to its use in treating symptoms of AIDS, cancer, multiple sclerosis, pain, glaucoma, epilepsy and many other debilitating conditions that the currently offered biopharmaceuticals can’t fully relieve? I think that if there are options that can help relieve pain, pain that is so terrible that the patients quality of life is completely diminished, and there’s something that can be done, its worth giving a shot. The government does not have to completely lift the ban on legalizing marijuana, but they have the means to put strict stipulations on who, what, where, when, why, and how the drug is used. They also have the resources to grow healthy plants that aren’t diseased or sprayed with pesticides to keep the bugs away, instead of laced street marijuana. The goal of all medical professionals is to improve the quality of life of their patients and do whatever is in their scope of practice to achieve that goal. There are a lot of sick people out there who are suffering at the hands of a medical condition. Most doctors prescribe various pain medications to make them more comfortable. Medicinal marijuana is another alternative for pain and nausea management. Due to a government issued ban on the use of marijuana, only a handful of states allow for doctors to prescribe marijuana and allow for dispensaries to provide the patients with it.
In 1972, the government passed a Controlled Substance Act (CSA), classifying marijuana as a drug with no accepted medical use. Richard Nixon led the crusade of The War Against Drugs, quoting, “America’s public enemy number one in the United States is drug abuse. In order to fight and defeat this enemy, it is necessary to wage a new, all-out offensive.” After many failed attempts by various bipartisan commissions who recommended to decriminalize personal use of marijuana or reduce the penalties, the CSA created schedules as a way to classify drugs and narcotics. Marijuana was placed in Schedule 1, meaning it had the highest risk of abuse, basically meaning that it fell under the same category as heroin and alcohol. Many pain pills that are prescribed to patients have the same opiate derivatives found in heroin. Pain pills are highly addictive and cause many side effects including liver damage after long-term use. Addiction to pain medication has been the latest trend due to doctors over-prescribing them, so why not look at an alternative for pain management, one that causes less damage. Throughout the years, lobbyist have made many attempts to abolish the theory that marijuana is a gateway drug and is categorically similar to heroin, stating there have been many advancements in the medical field and in society as a whole, and after many clinical trials and experimentation, there are findings that marijuana has been more helpful than harmful to its patients in treating mild to severe problems and side effects the patients were experiencing. Could this be the new medical breakthrough? This is a naturally grown and misunderstood plant that has been shunned for ages all because some lawmakers back in the 1970’s disagreed with what was considered a radical defiance? How can one say that marijuana, which hasn’t been linked to overdose or death, is an illegal controlled drug, yet alcohol and prescription pills are the leading cause of death related circumstances in young people. Everyday there’s tragic stories in the media about the overconsumption of alcohol that caused fatal car accidents, or the deadly overdose of pills. Bills in congress have been passed in 16 out of the 50 states for the use of medicinal marijuana, citing that after careful experimentation, marijuana does more help than harm. Researchers recently proved that medicinal marijuana actually reduces injury, finding that there was a notable reduction in car accidents and no notable increase in teen related abuse. “Comparing traffic deaths over time in states with and without medical marijuana law changes, the researchers found that fatal car wrecks dropped by 9% in states that legalized medical use — which was largely attributable to a decline in drunk driving… The authors also found that in states that legalized medical use, there was no increase in marijuana smoking by teenagers — a finding seen in other studies as well. But, in many cases, the laws were linked with an increase in marijuana smoking among adults in their 20s; this rise was accompanied by a reduction in alcohol use by college age youth, suggesting that they were smoking weed instead…” It can’t be any worse than the liver problems that come with the territory of long-term use of over the counter and prescription pills used to relieve the same pain.
The problem with the outright legalization of marijuana is many protestors feel that it is glorifying the use of illicit drugs. But, what people fail to realize is alcohol is the most detrimental drug to date, and it is overly glorified and its advertising specifically targets the younger generation, putting all types of propaganda in their heads at a young age by using cartoons and bright colorful ads. They target kids because they are the next generation of alcohol consumers, and if they put in their heads at a young age that you are cool and popular if you drink me. Alcohol companies spend millions a year on advertising the worst drug in the world, yet it is legal. Alcohol has no positive effect or use at all. Marijuana, on the other hand, is used to help dissipate nausea, inhibits appetite, and reduces pain. It’s almost been discovered that a chemical compound found in cannabis has raised serotonin levels in the brain. Joycelyn Elders, MD, former US Surgeon General, states “The evidence is overwhelming that marijuana can relieve certain types of pain, nausea, vomiting and other symptoms caused by such illnesses as multiple sclerosis, cancer and AIDS — or by the harsh drugs sometimes used to treat them. And it can do so with remarkable safety. Indeed, marijuana is less toxic than many of the drugs that physicians prescribe every day.” With all this overwhelming information about the pros of legalizing marijuana for medical purposes, why are there only 16 states that currently recognizing all this? It’s understandable that laws will be passed overnight, but it is unfortunate that if you have a incapacitating disease or condition, that unless you are currently living in a state the allows medical marijuana, then u will be dependent on damaging and costly pharmaceuticals if your insurance covers it. A person should have the freedom to engage in the use of this substance as long as it isn’t interfering, causing harm, or posing the threat of injury on another person. There are currently 17 states considering the legalization of medical marijuana, however the problem still stands that it is listed as a Schedule 1 substance. I think that if the classification were amended to a more appropriate and lower classification, the government would be more incline to lift the ban. I believe that slowly, congress will begin making strides as experimentation continues, and knowledge is expanded, there will be more evidence that marijuana does serve a medical purpose.
Currently, there are countless organizations that are protesting the Obama administrations ban on medical marijuana. There were many rallies in the past month addressing the Department of Justice for the harsh penalties and crackdowns on possession and dispensing marijuana for medical purposes. There are people experiencing chronic pain and patients with terminal and painful conditions who are literally suffering in their daily life of excruciating pain, and the government have the ability to help them, yet refuse. Instead of going after real criminals who actually hurt other people, they use their funding to go after the tight knit communities of medical marijuana users and dealers because these people are an easy target. Even worse, they are going after the doctors who have the right to prescribe it in certain states. The American For Safe Access is a well-known organization that plans and executes nonviolent movements to spread awareness to the public and the people in congress that they are supporting the rights of the critically and terminally ill patients, not supporting illegal drug use. This is a specific medical treatment that has been found to be effective with many ill patients. Doesn’t the quality of life of the ill matter? This is about advocating for the people who are genuinely sick to help make their lives tolerable with the treatment of a natural plant. According to past bills being introduced to each individual state senate, it looks as though a majority fell shy of passing based on majority. Only time will tell how long it will take for the medical use to be recognized. Another organization, NORML, actively works to reform marijuana laws. They focus on the unnecessary arrests and jail time for otherwise productive citizens in the community. They don’t fully focus on the medical issues, but more on all the people currently incarcerated for marijuana based offenses that are crowd up the prisons and valuable and wasted taxpayers money going towards pointless sentences. Implementing more lenient punishments, like a fine instead of jail time. They provide legal support and assistance to people who have been victimized by the current laws. Both of these organizations have local chapters in Illinois and regularly organize public outreach assemblies to inform people and raise awareness in a nonviolent manner to those in the senate about decriminalizing marijuana.
Getting involved with lobbying for the issue of passing a bill legalizing marijuana for medical purposes is a great way to make a difference and advocate maybe for yourself, a loved one, or even a complete stranger. One person will in fact make a difference in changing the current laws in the state of Illinois. There are many organizations easily accessible in connecting to on the Internet to join rallies, sign petitions, even to help write letters to the local senators and governors. You don’t have to attend a protest to help out a local organization. Some people are skeptical about publicly putting themselves out there concerning such a controversial topic, whether it is to avoid judgment or scrutiny from their peers and work. There is an upcoming event in Springfield, Illinois at the Capitol building in March, lobbying to pass bills allowing medical marijuana and trying to pass a cannabis decriminalization bill. I like how they ask that people dress appropriately. That further proves that these people are very serious and want to be taken seriously about passing these important bills. These advocates are professional and respectful for out states Capitol and toward the employees. Additional information can be found at http://www.ilga.gov. I’ve never attended any type of activist rally, it would probably be really interesting to see how the lobbyists operate and how the whole organization comes together to advocate. To learn more about joining an organization to try and legalize medical marijuana, the Internet is an easy source of contact, and probably the most discreet as well.
The Mercy Center, http://www.mercycenters.org/links/Illinois.html, is dedicated to supplying information and resources concerning cannabis legalization for medical purposes. On this site, they provide ample contact information, how, when, and where to get involved with decriminalization rallies and organizations supporting legalization. I also found that if you need legal advice or counsel concerning marijuana, they also provide you with information on contacting professionals who specialize in marijuana related cases. I think someone who is trying to learn more and even get involved would find this website very resourceful. There’s a lot of information on the history and background about cannabis, and even what disorders and conditions have been approved in other states to use the substance legally. I like how organized all the information is and how effortless it is to search and access information pertaining to specific topics on legislature and rallies. The links are readily highlighted and available along with phone numbers for easy access.
Americans for Safe Access, http://www.safeaccessnow.org/section.php?id=69, was another good resource I stumbled upon. This site is geared towards political movements across the country for the legalization of medical marijuana. There were updated posts on different action movements currently happening or in the process of planning. This is what I consider to be an activism website because it focuses specifically on solving problems and offering solutions. It didn’t touch on any of the historical background of marijuana; it just focuses on how to take action. The discussion forum is basically how to get your elected official to listen to you. There’s a lot of power word that I found very motivated and not so laid back like in the previous site. The setup alone, and current event news articles inspired me to want to make a difference. I feel as though this group may be more aggressive in political rallies, not in a violent manner, however, more organized with more supporters. It provided a significant amount of more resources for signing petitions, or signing up to speak to your governor, or getting involved in other states and sister organizations.
The Marijuana Policy Project, http://www.mpp.org, has a very clear mission to spread awareness of local and national medical marijuana policies and bills. With organizations that actively support the legalization of marijuana, there is a bias based on the goal to support the decriminalization lift, however; the information posted only discussed proven facts rather than the outright pushing of this groups own personal agenda. I didn’t’ feel forced to want to legalize marijuana after reading through the website, more so informed about what the current legislative laws are, what may be changing in the future, and if I wanted to support the cause, how to get in contact with someone to do so. The website focused on issues concerning current issues, and how to get involved and take action at local rallies near me. This website was professional and fact based, which appeals to people who are looking to gain knowledge about political movements and similar organizations who want to make a difference and advocate for legalization.
As a person going into the medical field, I absolutely do not condone illegal and illicit drug use and abuse, however, I do advocate for the people who truly can benefit from the use in a controlled setting. I personally do not engage in the legal use of marijuana, but I do have friends and family who are very sick with various autoimmune and terminal conditions, which are constantly ill and in pain. For this reason, I support the legalization of medical marijuana, even more so, after thoroughly researching it. My goal is to do what I can, as a supporter of quality of life and patients who unnecessarily live in pain, and I stand here to spread awareness to those who aren’t completely informed on the benefits that marijuana could have on people to improve their debilitating symptoms. I only hope that the state of Illinois can open their hearts and do what they can to truly make a difference and help the people in need. Vote for the legalization and decriminalization of medical marijuana.
Works Cited
Elders, Joycelyn MD. “Myths About Medical Marijuana,” Providence Journal. 26 Mar. 2004. Print.
Nixon, Richard LLB. “Remarks About an Intensified Program for Drug Abuse Prevention and Control The President’s News Conference,” The American Presidency Project. 1971. Print
Samuels, David. “Marijuana: Law and Legislation.” New Yorker 84.22 (2008): 48-61. Print.
Szalavitz, Maia. ”Why Medical Marijuana Laws Reduce Traffic Deaths,” TIME. Web. 2 Dec. 2011.
“Spinal Cord Injury and Disease”. Therapeutic Uses of Marijuana. Medical Marijuana Information Resource Centre. http://www.medicalmarijuanainformation.com. Web. 20, Feb. 2012.
http://www.illinoisnorml.org, Illinois NORML. Web. 20 Feb. 2012.
http://www.ilga.gov, Illinois General Assembly. Web. 20 Feb. 2012.
http://www.mercycenters.org, Mercy Centers. Web. 20 Feb. 2012.
http://www.safeaccessnow.org, American for Safe Access. Web. 20 Feb. 2012.
http://www.mpp.org. American Policy Project. Web. 20 Feb. 2012.
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Kristina Marynczak
The topic you chose is very interesting and controversial in both medical and legal aspects. To make your paper sound more enticing i would suggest you make your title more eye grabbing. the paper is organized very well using a lot of information but i suggest you cite your resources throughout the paper so other readers don’t think your just making facts up. Each paragraph’s main point is easy understood and follows the guidelines Another suggestion i would add is to show how media has portrayed medical marijuana. Also add some examples on some beneficiaries of medicinal marijuana use and how it has helped them overcome their ordeals. One suggestion i would put out there is maybe to explain to the everyday person what the whole schedule system is and how, why certain drugs were placed in them. My favorite part of this paper is that the writer does not condone in the use of illegal marijuana use because of an interest in the medical field. “This is about advocating for the people who are genuinely sick to help make their lives tolerable with the treatment of a natural plant.” – one thought i had about this sentence was that there are other harmful drugs that are derived from a natural plant such as opium, heroin and cocaine so the term a natural plant might not be the best way to get readers to think its acceptable.
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Kristina Marynczak
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Emmanuel Morales
Medical marijuana is a very controversial topic within our country. I could relate to this paper because in high school, I also wrote about this very debatable topic. It never is an easy topic to discuss with people because I believe people are afraid to be associated with marijuana. Once people see the word “marijuana” in my opinion, always have something negative to say. Society is simply afraid of making a huge mistake by legalizing it. However, in certain states where it has been used for medical purposes, it brought more benefits for patients. Marijuana has enhanced the lives of many people who are suffering from pain, and those who oppose it don’t want people to live better? I think it is not fair because just because they are not a pain should not be able to decide what is best for these patients. Having them take pain killers and other drugs that have long term affects is a better option? “Pain pills are highly addictive and cause many side effects including liver damage after long-term use”. Erin made her research paper very informative by backing up her arguments. One thing that she should modify would be to add citations to the facts. By adding citations you would make the argument more credible for the reader to form their opinions on this issue. The writer could also add more examples on how much life has improved for patients. I want to know how those patients already using medical marijuana are doing. Another great argument she wrote about is comparing to alcohol. Alcohol at one point in our nation was banned like marijuana. Once they made alcohol legal society had more increased in deaths caused by it. Alcohol is categorized as a drug, and one can say it is being “controlled’. I have to disagree with that because I believe it is easier to get. It is a lead causing death for the youth for drunk driving. Erin also stated that marijuana has not contributed to any overdoses or deaths. What society needs to acknowledge is the purpose of legalization is for medical purposes only. It is not like once it is legal we are going to hand marijuana out like tobacco. Laws would be formed regarding the usage and become stricter for those who truly need it. She also argued about how our currently laws on the drug are not the best. We send “criminals” for possession of marijuana to jail. We have countless cases like these happening every day that fills our imprison facilities. Each sentence comes out of taxpayers. In my opinion it is a waste of money to send people to prison for something like that. I support the idea of sending “drug dealers” but those who have little possession should not be sentenced. Overall, Erin chose a topic that many people would either support or be against it right away. She did a very good job informing the reader about this issue and what is being done. A few things to adjust, add the citations to your facts and possibly come up with a better eye catching title.
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Kristina Marynczak
******PEER REVIEW COMPLETED VERISON:****The topic you chose is very interesting and controversial in both medical and legal aspects. To make your paper sound more enticing I would suggest you make your title more eye grabbing because it’s boring. The paper is organized very well using a lot of information but I suggest you cite your resources throughout the paper so other readers don’t think your just making facts up. One example is, “Researchers recently proved that medicinal marijuana actually reduces injury, finding that there was a notable reduction in car accidents and no notable increase in teen related abuse.” As the reader I don’t really know if this is really what researchers have found since I don’t know where you got the information from. I only was able to see u specifically cite one time.
Each paragraph’s main point is easy understood and follows the guidelines. I, as the reader, can understand and follow all your main ideas clearly. Another suggestion I would add is to show how media has portrayed medical marijuana. Also add some examples on some beneficiaries of medicinal marijuana use and how it has helped them overcome their ordeals. One suggestion i would put out there is maybe to explain to the everyday person what the whole schedule system is and how, why certain drugs were placed in them. My favorite part of this paper is that the writer does not condone in the use of illegal marijuana use because of an interest in the medical field. “This is about advocating for the people who are genuinely sick to help make their lives tolerable with the treatment of a natural plant.” – one thought I had about this sentence was that there are other harmful drugs that are derived from a natural plant such as opium, heroin and cocaine so the term a natural plant might not be the best way to describe it. You don’t want to create the wrong idea for the reader. If you want to keep that wod maybe describe the process it takes to grow it/ what makes it “natural” Since the topic is so controversial maybe you should add how “street” marijuana differs from medical marijuana. You mention it’s not laced like “street” marijuana might be but that’s the only comparison. If you add some metaphors it might create a little more imagery. Lastly it’s really important to include what medicail marijuana actually does for the patients. You say it’s a great alternative for pain because it doesn’t affect your liver like pain medicines do but how? By adding actual life stories or examples of how medical marijuana has helped people can help your paper as well. I understand the benefits you list but don’t really believe it without citing it or hearing about an actual case it has helped. You don’t have to add a bunch just at least one so the reader can get a better understanding how it actually helps instead of just reading the facts you researched. Overall, The paper is on track and if you just add an change a few thing things and create more imagery the reader will understand your point better and want to help this problem. -
Grzegorz Forgiel
Erin already starting out the paper you got my attention by the topic for the reason that its such a controversial topic many people argue both ways on whether it is a good thing to have or whether it is a bad thing to have it. You have a lot of good information in your first paragraph that did catch the audience but I think that it could have been stronger by adding some sources to show that its credible information and that it did not just fall from the sky, any quotes or links would help. “In 1972, the government passed a Controlled Substance Act (CSA), classifying marijuana as a drug with no accepted medical use. Richard Nixon led the crusade of The War Against Drugs, quoting, “America’s public enemy number one in the United States is drug abuse. In order to fight and defeat this enemy, it is necessary to wage a new, all-out offensive.” After many failed attempts by various bipartisan commissions who recommended to decriminalize personal use of marijuana or reduce the penalties, the CSA created schedules as a way to classify drugs and narcotics. Marijuana was placed in Schedule 1, meaning it had the highest risk of abuse, basically meaning that it fell under the same category as heroin and alcohol” I really did not know all of this, that is some good information that teaches the readers just how bad some people think that marijuana is, that is just what makes it such a huge controversy because in the paragraph before you named off so many diseases that kill people all the time, but not only that are very painful to live with, and people are saying that marijuana would be a really good pain reliever, well that is what makes it, if Nixon had any of the diseases with pain so hard that it made him scream, then it would make it think hard about legalizing it, basically I think it depends on the situation you are in on whether someone would want to make it legal or not. “Many pain pills that are prescribed to patients have the same opiate derivatives found in heroin. Pain pills are highly addictive and cause many side effects including liver damage after long-term use. Addiction to pain medication has been the latest trend due to doctors over-prescribing them, so why not look at an alternative for pain management, one that causes less damage.” Some people also can not take pills, but looking at it at another point of view, ok so a doctor gives someone pain pills to lower the pain of there back for example but at the same time they pills are killing the liver, well then how does the patient win at that point, if he or she comes in to get help but gets worse instead. This is one of those topics that is difficult to write about because of so many positives and negatives, but you did a great job, you stayed focused all the way through and had good information, try throwing in some good sources into the paragraphs to make them stronger and more reliable but otherwise I enjoyed reading it and look forward to reading more in the future.
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Gazi Murrar
Medical Marijuana is a topic that would catch the eyes of many people, not just Marijuana users but also none Marijuana users like me. Starting the paper I could not tell if Erin was with the idea if legalizing Medical Marijuana or against it. After reading the whole paper it’s easy to see that Erin is with the idea of legalizing Medical Marijuana. Stating with facts like; “Medical marijuana has been a controversial issue for decades. Medicinal marijuana is physician-recommended form of medicine used to treat aliments that have been approved by a doctor in a state that has approved the legalization.” Than Erin goes by telling us about the people that are agents Medical Marijuana or any type of Marijuana. The paper explains how Marijuana could help in the medical field for example AIDS, cancer, multiple sclerosis, pain, glaucoma, epilepsy and many other debilitating. These are amazing facts that I did not know about Marijuana, Erin also explains how the government is in the way of legalizing it, although the researchers found that fatal car wrecks dropped by 9% in states that legalized medical use — which was largely attributable to a decline in drunk driving… The authors also found that in states that legalized medical use, there was no increase in marijuana smoking by teenagers. Erin also compares Marijuana with something else that I personally think that it is indeed number one legalized drug, (Alcohol.) Alcohol is by far the worst drug, it’s not just bad for you body and health but also your personality. Alcohol could cause you to overdose and die which Marijuana does not do, over the year there are so many victims drinking ether from over dosing or car accidents from drunken drivers. I am not the person that would like to legalize marijuana but this paper is very persuasive and makes me want to reconsider my thoughts.
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Taylor Wolff
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Erin Murphy
Upon reading, ”You Can’t Dodge All the Bullets,” I laughed for awhile, because I followed my father around when I was younger asking a million questions about his wide range of vocabulary that until recently, I didn’t understand. At times I do get so frustrated when it comes to writing assignments, that I literally want to scream and stomp around like a 5 year old in the midst of a temper meltdown. I wish that was an appropriate way to challenge my anger and irritation at this age, it seemed to work well when I was younger. I have the most difficult time asking for help and yet that’s the best advice everyone says they can offer me to achieve success. I’m not even sure I know how to ask for advice or assistance with my work. So I have an obstacle I have identified as crucial to overcome. When I was younger, asking questions was so simple to do, almost indicatory that I enjoyed the sound of my voice as well. But, as I am learning, critical thinking is imperative to growing as a reading and getting the most that I can out of these pricey classes that I am required to take. But to say suck it up is easier than it sounds. If you have a stubborn and relentless personality like I do, you have to go through the process of defeating the self-doubt demons who dance around in my mind convincing me that things are harder than they really are. Maybe besides seeking out my teacher, I should see a doctor as well!
— Kinsella, Kate. “You Can’t Dodge All The Bullets.” Why White Rice? Thinking Through Writing. Kendall Hunt Pub, 2010. 80. Print
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Erin Murphy
Service and activism both have a similar ideas and goals, but I learned more specifically what the differences are. Service work is more of a micro level of managing the symptoms of a problem. Activism is a larger macro level engagement that directly goes to the source of the problem and trying to change it. I think the word activism has a negative stigma attached to it, especially now with the recent Occupy protesters, which have been not just a nuisance, but has had violent attacks and outburst with unmerited cause. I associated them with the word activism, and I’m glad that Professor McGuire clarified my misconception.
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Erin Murphy
Rajeev Goyal is such an incredible individual for his work with increasing funds for the Peace Corps. When I was in high school, I seriously considered joining the Peace Corps. I allowed my parents fears and concerns influence my decision against joining. I regret that decision every time I read about someone as heroic as Rajeev. What an incredible accomplishment for somebody so young to build a water pump for the less fortunate people in Nepal to allow them to utilize their time better. I can’t imagine how difficult it may be for a volunteer to bird dog politicians for funding as successfully as Rajeev did. He didn’t allow discouragement to get in the way of his goals and love for helping people who really needed assistance. I really find his story encouraging because he literally made a difference and didn’t need a team of people to accompany him to do so. He set out in between classes at New York Law School to raise money selling hats from Nepal, chased down annoyed politicians, set up dinner parties all to raise money for other countries. He is an inspiration for anyone who doubts that they, as an individual, can truly make a difference. So many people are guilty of allowing that fear that they alone can’t make a change in the world, but Rajeev proved that we could make a difference. As long as you don’t speak up and try to change things, then your voice will never be heard.
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Erin Murphy
“Who Will Survive”
I had a difficult time with the Who Will Survive exercise. I’m going into the health field to save lives, so I struggled a bit on choosing whom I would save. I didn’t know where to start so I reflected back to what I learned in my EMT classes when it came to triaging mass casualty incidents. So my decision on who would survive was initially based on level of health. I had a feeling that the purpose of this assignment was increase awareness of concealed biases and judgments we may have that we either know about or don’t. I previously thought of myself as a nonjudgmental person, but what I came to realize is I was incorrect. I noticed that the people I chose to save reflected ageism and sexism by choosing to save the women and children first. This assignment opened my eyes to not judging aspects of a person’s life just because I don’t share the same views as they do. It also evoked some questions in my mind that made me really think. How could I base my decisions on gender and age? What makes one life worth more than another? What makes someones life more valuable than the next? Although I don’t criticize people based on lifestyle choices, judging based on age and sex is just as negative. Great exercise for inducing thought.
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Erin Murphy
As I was reading the article, “What It Means When A Crowd In A Faraway Nation, Takes A Soldier Representing Your Own Nation, Shoots Him, Drags Him From His Vehicle, And Then Mutilates Him In The Dust,” I could actually feel the anxiety the man was experiencing as he felt uncomfortable in his own skin. How he felt unworthy of the carefree day he was having before he looked at the photograph of the dead soldiers lifeless and mutilated body laying in a pile of dust. It’s on of those out of sight, out of mind situations, where unless you witness or read about the brutalities that occur every single day, it’s almost as though you could go through your entire day, week, month, and so on without being phased by anything. I find myself sometimes ignoring the news or reading headline stories on my phone to avoid reading about the latest massacre in Chicago the night before, while I slept safely and soundly in my warm home. The article had a very intense introduction which captivated me while and questions were popping into my head immediately as I read it. The ending stopped rather abruptly though and left me hanging and wondering. What did the man eventually do to become more at ease? Did the picture change his life and made him want to do something for the soldiers in general, or maybe even find out who the particular soldier in the picture was. I’m sure the writer purposely ended it the way he or she did, probably to provoke profound thought.
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Erin Murphy
A Glimpse of Light
Growing up, my parents instilled their own personal morals in me. As I child, and even today as an adult, I looked up to my parents as being my heroes. Anything they did, I wanted to do. Everything they said, I said too. Everything they believed in, I did as well. I was very lucky to have such positive guidance and direction from strong-minded and patriotic people. As I grew older, I realized how fortunate I really was, as I watched my fellow peers take their life in different directions such as, dropping out of school due to no parental support, getting in trouble with the law, or just floating by in life, with the lack of long term goals and plans. Now don’t get me wrong, I am not by any means without fault and imperfections. I have changed my career multiple times and especially most recently, my major. Some things you just got to learn on ones own. I would like to think that my constant change in paths is more an exploration of my true calling. There are certain things in my life that don’t change. The certain things I stand for, that represents me as a person, the way I live my life by.
The way a person holds himself or herself, both through their beliefs and morals is a direct reflection of how they were raised on how they will in turn, raise their children. It’s about who they are and what they stand for. I stand for many things, but most importantly I stand for honor and I stand for moral ethics. I recently had a conversation with an old friend and I asked her of her opinion on where people learn right from wrong and she believes to enforces those morals. What makes us, as humans different from any other mammal? What stops most of us from hurting or killing each other? Besides answering to the authorities, who teaches us right from wrong? I personally follow both the laws that govern this country for moral reasons, but also due to the possibility that I will one-day answer to a higher power. When I was young, I was taught to do unto others as I would want done unto myself. Even at a young age I fully understood and believed it to be a good message to live my life by. I was also taught to honor not only myself, but others too. I practice an honest and mostly open lifestyle. I don’t pass judgments on others and I typically keep my mind open to different lifestyles and cultures that I may know very little about, or understand. I do my best to treat everyone fairly. I practice tolerance and respect for other people without expecting the same from others, because nobody is perfect. My integrity and reputation is very important to me. I carry myself to a very high standard of excellence because I know I have it in me to the best that I can be. I am all I got, and my academic and moral achievements are very important to me.
To date, I’m surprised I didn’t end up enlisting in the military. I believe that based on the way I was brought up with strict discipline, and strong values, that I wouldn’t have a difficult time going through the boot camp phase. There are very few things that I would give up my life for. But no question in my mind would I hesitate to die for my faith in God and my beloved Country. I don’t believe myself to be a martyr, but I do know that if my death was for the greater good and it meant saving other people, I believe God would give me the courage to save my country and all the precious lives that deserve a chance. So many Americans do it on a regular basis overseas, young and old men and women have so much strength to be able to do such a selfless act such as risk their life to save and protect mine. I feel that God all along has had a plan for me to save lives. But at home, in a hospital, or in the field. My brother went to Iraq twice and safely made it home. I would write him letters while he was away telling him my plans to be an Army medic. I had many friends go overseas to do that and I can’t think of a more educational hands-on experience with trauma, one that I may never receive from any Medical School or hospital program. Nevertheless, I ended up deciding to stay close to home and go pursue my dream of being a trauma nurse. Human life is so precious to me and I intend to save as many people as I possibly can once I am a certified Nurse. I know myself to be a very brave female. I do believe that if it came down to saving other people, that I would give my life to do so if it was completely necessary. I’ve always been strong in my beliefs and values. I have persevered through many difficult times in my life that made me the strong person I am today. My faith and my patriotism is who I am. How I live my life. How I make tough decisions. Faith is how I overcome difficult obstacles I encounter. The love in my heart is what makes me willing to defend the county I care about, the God I believe in, and the people whom I love.
My friends in family are gold to me. I would do anything for them rational or irrational. I would do anything it takes to keep them safe. The people that I love, I protect, and I would kill for in their protection. My family and friends have always been a dear value and their relationship, health, and safety always a priority to me. When I see my loved ones experiencing pain or sadness I have always wish that I could somehow absorb those feelings into me so they could be happy. Growing up as I child, my siblings and I are all very close in age so we all went to school together. Often times, the younger ones got bullied which is very typical with children, but I always stepped in and defended them, although there were times that there were consequences following my defense. I felt that it was right for me to watch over them, and in turn I justified taking matters into my own hands to keep them out of harms way. There is very little that I wouldn’t do for my loved ones, I have always been the mother bear shielding them from danger. If that isn’t true love, I don’t know what is.
I surprisingly learned a lot from myself through writing this paper. I could intensely feel my passion flowing out of my fingers onto my keyboard so naturally. I’ve always been aware of my strong values, however I just never put them down on paper before with no hesitation or breaks to think. I stand up for what I believe in. If I don’t speak my mind, then my voice will never be heard. I would be soulless without honor and moral ethics that I live by. I’m not even sure I could respect myself if I didn’t live by my own code of principles. I was raised to be a strong person, and that I most definitely am. I am a God fearing person. I support my country and I would die for both. The word kill has a very strong and powerful tone. I would do anything for my loved ones. They are all I got and I covet their existence. So many people take freedom and love for granted. But I don’t make that mistake because I am privileged to be the person I am and to have been raised the way I was that I could value life and love.
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Emmanuel Morales
The title “the glimpse of light” caught my eye right away. The term glimpse means a momentary or partial view. So the title itself left me thinking about what this essay would be about since titles reflect on the writing. The introduction is very strong because it defines who Erin is as a person and how her parents are her heroes. I could relate to that because my own parents mean the world to me. Everything I do is influenced by them in some way, shape or form. I also could relate to Erin on how friends end up choosing different things in their life. One thing I learned is everything changes once life takes off, by that I mean besides yourself changing so does your own friends. I have friends who decided not to continue education. I think school is not for everyone, some people are better at other stuff. If someone has the motivation to be successful I believe it’s very achievable if you try your hardest. The last few sentences of her intro state how she recently changed her major. I support Erin’s decision to pursue change because you don’t want to end up doing something your whole life that you would regret. I believe everyone should choose a career that they would enjoy doing for the rest of their lives. It would just make literally life that much easier. The second paragraph talks about how she stands for honor and her moral ethics. Erin has strong qualities as individual, being open minded, accepting other people and respecting everyone. I am also opened minded; everyone should not be thinking the same. Live a little and embrace change in your thoughts. Thinking differently brings a lot of options for certain situations. The next paragraph Erin expressed herself the most. She writes that she would give up her life for her faith and country. How she would love saving lives by becoming a nurse. She is on the right path on helping a lot of people. The best quality of a nurse is having one who actually wants to help and assist. I do not know Erin personally, besides her sitting right next to me in class; I believe she would make an excellent nurse. I also learned that her brother served in Iraq twice and made it home safe. How she would write her brother letters saying she wanted to become an army medic. She later states she decided to stay home and pursuing a trauma nurse career. I was left wondering what influence your decision of becoming a trauma nurse? The next paragraph talks about how she would do anything for her loved ones. Answering the question what would you kill for? I myself answer the question similar. I would do anything for my love ones as well. Everything in life is replaceable except family and friends. Overall this essay was very enjoyable to read. I learned a lot about Erin as a person. Her qualities are outstanding, keep pursuing your nursing career.
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Grzegorz Forgiel
Erin your paper is excellent, I really enjoyed reading it, and as I read it, it was almost like I was reading mine word for word, our papers were so alike. Just like everyone else we agree on the same main point “family” no matter what, we have our parents to thank for everything they have done, for turning us into the people that we are today, without them or even with them but a different set of parents we would not be the same people we are today. If we did not have parents or did have them but ones that just did not care what we did, odds are yes agree probably would drop out of school, but on the other hand it would also make us more responsible seeing that we have to take care of ourselves. But I definitely agree on everything you said about parents. I think during our time parents have a bigger effect on us then morals, because well if our parents told us to kill people and then said if we did not they would beat us, well at that point as little kids I think we would listen to them and not our morals, so I have to disagree with you on the morals parts, but other wise I agree without laws or parents tells us right from wrong we probably would not have to many people alive. Which leads to you wanting to go to the Army which is very respectful, but the Army is part of giving law if you will, kind of like a police officer so I can see why you would want to join the Army, and from reading your paper it definitely seems like you love helping people with wanting to be a Nurse, I too want to help people and go into the medical field, but I’m going into the Biomedical field instead though, I do have a lot of friends going into the Nursing field, seems like if I did not choose the Biomedical field I would probably end up being a Nurse also with the stories they tell me, it seems like a pretty interesting field to go into. I really enjoy reading the paragraph about family and friends, and the way you used to protect your siblings, your sibling must really love you for that, although they probably do not mention it. Not sure if you meant it in a humored way but I found the mother bear part pretty funny. Your last paragraph I also really enjoyed, it was so passionate, so strong, like you were really standing next to those words. I really learned a lot from you, and I also learned a lot about you as a person, you definitely are loving and caring person who really cares a lot about her family friends and her country, you are very tough and say what is on your mind, your paper again was fantastic, and I am looking forward to reading more of them.
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Gazi Murrar
As I read closely and deeply into Erin’s essay (A Glimpse of Light) it quickly came to my attention that our beliefs are very similar. I can relate when it comes to our devout belief and trust in god or just our pure love for our family. Erin explained how she was raised in a strong moral family. From what I read, her parents taught her to be a good and principled person. She followed in their footsteps and did just as they did.All what Erin learned, from her parents, did not stop her from being her own person and having her own code of life to live by. Erin indicated that she stands for honor and moral ethics; something that every person should have in his or her life. If you live with no honor than you would do anything without thinking about the consequences, and the same goes for moral ethics. In her essay, the reader could clearly see that she would give her life to save a nation, I could clearly see that Erin loves and cherishes her country. She was going to give her life for her country and go join the military as her brother did. Erin shows her belief by saying, “if my death was for the greater good and it meant saving other people, I believe God would give me the courage to save my country and all the precious lives that deserve a chance.” In that quote she also shows her faith in god. Erin realized that she could give all the great services that she wanted to give overseas here at home by majoring in the medical field and becoming a trauma nurse.By doing this, she could help the people of her country here at home, and this way she could be saving the lives of her people in her own country.
Erin explains how close she is to her friends and family, as she also described them as loved ones and how she would do anything for them, rational or irrational. What I kind of noticed is Erin would do anything to keep her family and siblings out of harm’s way, so I could probably say she would kill for her family and loved owns, but she also makes it clear that she would do that only if it means to save them from any harm; something I would do as well because family is such a big factor in our lives.
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Erin Murphy
What I believe being ecologically literate means to me is being aware of how my life and my daily activities affect the environment and wildlife around me. Every step each individual makes leaves a permanent footprint on this Earth. From conserving water, choosing paper over plastic at the grocery store, carpooling to reduce noxious fumes cars create or even choosing to walk over driving as much as possible. I first became aware of the ecosystem and my role in it when I realized how often I was taking out my trash. Frozen food boxes, take out food, pop cans and water bottles, the newspaper, all things that could be recycled. I knew then that I wanted to produce less waste and do my best to find a recycling center in my community. I started walking as much as possible, instead of driving a car. Simple changes I made in my lifestyle may only reduce damage to the ecological system minutely, however more raised awareness made in each community, may begin to start make changes towards saving the plants and trees that provide us with fresh carbon dioxide and reduce the amount of ultraviolet rays that our destroying the atmosphere which causes global warming. Together as a community, if we all group together to make changes in our everyday life and increase awareness of pollutants and waste, we can help save our ecosystem from detrimental damage and begin to make a difference on this Earth. Without working together, the likelihood of individual change will be dramatically reduced.
1996. Print., Capra, Fritjov, The Web of Life: A New Scientific Understanding of Living Systems. New York: Anchor
Gazi Murrar, 
Grzegorz Forgiel, and 
Emmanuel Morales are discussing. 
Killian Noonan is discussing. 
Dawn Murry and 2 others are discussing. 
Kyle Barczak, and 
Taylor Wolff, 
Emmanuel Morales 9:09 am on April 24, 2012 Permalink | Log in to Reply
I agree with Erin in the beginning on the search of an organization to work with. I myself also had a similar problem when it came to finding the right organization. I got in contact with a few organizations some never answered; others required some commitment or contract to sign. Many organizations required long term commitment and I have nothing against that because they don’t want just hit and run volunteers. I think this project should have been given at the beginning of the semester because last minute things usually become more difficult to accomplish. Without finding an organization, one does get stress because we have a deadline for the project. I am glad to hear that Erin did find an organization that she proceeded with. “Finally, after many calls and emails, I got a call back from a woman named Beth who was in charge of the volunteer work by a local church letting me know she was able to find a place where I could volunteer at, incidentally right across the street from Moraine Valley, which was an unexpected convenience after a week of stressing out about where to get my service work completed.” That feeling you got after getting off the phone with Beth must have been great because it took a week of stress completely off. Searching and contacting without a response gets people very stress, sometimes you just want to give up but you need to keep going with a little hope that someone will contact you back. I think finding the organization was the most difficult thing in this project, so many different places with different rules. “The supplies for The Moraine Valley Community Church food pantry is donated by a much larger organization called The Greater Chicago Food Depository, which is a nonprofit dispensary and training center in Chicago that assists other smaller organizations throughout the Chicago land areas with providing food for those who suffer from hunger. GCFD is a name I am familiar with because earlier in the semester, some of the students in my class did their volunteer work with them, and came back to class to briefly describe their experience.” I do remember Proffesor McGuire talking about The Greater Chicago Food Depository and if I am not mistaken I believe we watch a video in class. Whichever the case was, I ended up doing a research journal on it that same week and that organization pulls out crazy number every year for food donations. Erin getting the opportunity to see and work with an organization that was helped by The Greater Chicago Food Depository is great because she saw at first hand what food pantries could accomplish with volunteer help. “A quiet woman named Tommy immediately perked up and told me she had plenty of stocking and bagging of the animal food. I looked at her puzzled, and without haste followed her into the stock room that I had originally been in to put my purse down. In the corner was a small section of cat and dog food bags and treats, and I am sure she saw my face lit up because she giggled at my reaction and told me to grab a bag of food. I had no idea that the food pantry also provided a supplemental bag of food to the hunger clients who had pets. I understand that most people may have the opinion that if someone cannot afford to feed themselves, they definitely should not have a pet, however I have a much different view on this confliction.” This story really make a great impact on your paper because you describe your experience with Tommy in great detail. To the point that I feel like I have experience this myself. I agree with your statement about those who should not have a pet. It is your responsiblility to look out for your pet and if you cant provide for them, you should not have one. This is part of Animal abuse, which I did my project on and I can relate to this part the most. Overall Great Paper Erin, really glad I got the chance to read your amazing experience.
Grzegorz Forgiel 10:21 pm on April 24, 2012 Permalink | Log in to Reply
Erin after reading your paper I really learned a lot. Reading one particular part I did not realize some organizations wanted so much time and information. “ But the search for an organization that did not require a time commitment, or months of extensive training, including but not limited to a criminal background check and a medical clearance, has been nothing short of a nightmare.” This was information I did not know about, I just could not believe that some organizations wanted all of this information I’m surprised they did not want your bank account and social security number. I like the fact that you used humor in it by comparing how hard it was to find an organization “I honestly believe it would have been easier to find a paying job, than the acceptance of my time as a volunteer” you were also truthful in your paper showing how hard you worked to get an organization to agree with our classes assignment with all the emails you sent out and the phones calls and leaving voicemails it is good that you showed some personal movements but what you should have also added was the words you used in the phones mails because like professor McGuire said to use personal thoughts and phrases used during your experience.” I was elated and nervous to start, not knowing any background about the organization. As I walked up to the Moraine Valley Community Church, I noticed a small gathering of people standing by a locked door on the side of the church. I immediately realized these were the clients who I would be assisting during this particular food pantry shift” during this part I think you should have added more of a personal reflection what was running through your mind when pulling up, on the way there, when you saw the random group of people. Another part you could add was what did your group members say when you called them saying that you finally found an organization that will except your group with no background checks or six month agreement and the fact that you will be able to start the same day with no problems seeing that it is located across the street. I think the best way of writing this paper a tool I used was trying to make it like the Kony youtube video that we watched at school, try to make it like that using personal reflection but also facts except instead of video it would be written. Also what you could have added was a little more facts about your organization as far as numbers and other things about it to show credibility that you did your research and that it is not something that you grabbed out of thin air. It keeps the reader want to continue reading if they know that it is true facts but also it will make them want to help out if they know for sure that the money and time is actually helping people out. But all and all your paper was pretty good I did not see too many grammar mistakes either. I really learned a lot and enjoyed reading it looking forward to see the poster.
Gazi Murrar 11:31 pm on April 24, 2012 Permalink | Log in to Reply
Erin starts her project number 5 by telling us how Professor McGuire signed the group service work project. Erin should tell us a little bit more about the group service work project that Mr. McGuire set up and how it was like interviewing eat other to find a crew. Erin thought to find an organization to volunteer with would be a piece of cake; she had to find out the hard way that it wasn’t that easy. After searching for days and keeping lots of voicemails and emails Erin got frustrated and stressed out because no one was returning the calls or emails that she had left in their voicemails or emails. Many other organizations required lots of time commitments, training or even criminal background. one day as she woke up getting ready to go to school her phone rang by an unfamiliar number, it was a woman named Beth telling her that she was glad to let her volunteer at her organization, to make it better the organization was no more further than just a few blocks away from Moraine Valley Community College, the name of the organization was Moraine Valley Community Church. “The supplies for The Moraine Valley Community Church food pantry is donated by a much larger organization called The Greater Chicago Food Depository, which is a nonprofit dispensary and training center in Chicago that assists other smaller organizations throughout the Chicago land areas with providing food for those who suffer from hunger.” I like how she explained what a food pantry is and who helps them with the food depository. The greater Chicago Food Depository (GCFD) is the nonprofit organization that helps provide food and train the other organizations. “A quiet woman named Tommy immediately perked up and told me she had plenty of stocking and bagging of the animal food. I looked at her puzzled, and without haste followed her into the stock room that I had originally been in to put my purse down. In the corner was a small section of cat and dog food bags and treats, and I am sure she saw my face lit up because she giggled at my reaction and told me to grab a bag of food. I had no idea that the food pantry also provided a supplemental bag of food to the hunger clients who had pets.” So they don’t just don’t help people they also help pets so if people that love pates can’t have them, now they can just by getting help by the food pantry