HW: 42 Last Podcast

http://www.archive.org/details/LastPodcast

HW37: Second Podcast on Eid

http://www.archive.org/details/TheHolidayOfEid

HW36: Podcast One- Representing Theta

http://www.archive.org/details/FirstEverPodcast

HW35: The End of the Journey

Dear Readers,

The time has come to put and end to this blog. The journey has been fun and i have learned a lot from everything. Blogs are a great way to express feelings and personal views on issues of interest. It can also teach you about views of others as they leave comments on your blog that can agree or disagree with your own thoughts. I know i am not the most experienced the blogging society and i am still learning new things with each blog post. All i am hopping is that readers enjoyed reading my posts and come out with at least one detail they didn't know. It could be about old spice deodorant, A Room of One's Own, or the views of Riverbend as long as it is meaningful to you. When looking back on the posts i can't decide on a particular favorite. The posts i enjoyed the most are the ones that allowed me to express my personal thoughts the most. It is for this reason that i am going to keep my blog running so i can focus more on issues of my personal interest and create higher quality posts of my own thoughts and less research. Though i may not post as frequently i have enjoyed the ride and am looking forward to future posts.

Thanks

HW34: Palms and Tea

Baghdad Burning

On Monday, October 13, 2003, Riverbend wrote a post about date palms. “A palm tree is known as a “nakhla” and never fails to bring a sense of satisfaction and admiration” (Riverbend, 103). The palm trees are beautiful and also very useful. They serve as resorts for various birds during the winter time and provide them plenty of their 300 different types of dates. Dates are used to make an alcoholic beverage, a dark, smooth syrup for rice and bread, as well as other seasonings for food. The leaves of the trees are used to make baskets, brooms, mats, bags, hats, wall hangings and it can be used for roofing. Riverbend says she enjoys using the roots of the dates as beads. Tea is also very important to Iraqis. Tea is not as easy to make as we Americans might think. “If you serve “teabag tea” to an Iraqi, you risk scorn and disdain—a teabag is an insult to tea connoisseurs” (Riverbend, 108). There are hundreds of different types of tea and the best types are from Ceylon. People drink tea at all times of the day and with all meals. Tea in Iraq is special because its flavored with cardamom and served in istikans which are small glasses shaped like the number eight. So most gatherings are usually accompanied with a nice glass of tea.

HW33: Alive in Iraq

“Iraqi Teens Work to Help Their Families”

On October 15, 2007, Alive in Baghdad posted a podcast entitled, “Iraqi Teens Work to Help Their Families.” It showed interviews of young teenagers who have been working since their child hood to help support their families needs. Children were working on furniture, and expressing their own opinions as to the terrorism and bombings of the Americans. These children are scared. One boy by the name of Mustafa Malek fathullah Ali was only 14 years old and putting hard labor in everyday by painting furniture. He also knows how to make doors, sofas, and bedrooms. He said that the security situation is very hard and nobody can protect themselves. He also states that there is no peace in Iraq and he asks neighboring countries to look out for them, stop bombing, and stop sending terrorists. By viewing this podcast and listening to the words of the boys, we can learn that life for them is difficult and they do not have the freedom of the American children. Their families need them for financial support and they understand their importance. It would be very hard to picture an image like this in America as no parent wants to put their child through this challenging lifestyle.

HW32: Shopping for School Supplies

Baghdad Burning (94-96)

On October 5, 2003, Riverbend wrote a post in her blog on the issue of school supplies. Riverbend went shopping with her cousin and his wife and her brother to get school supplies for his daughters. Every year his wife takes the girls shopping for pens, pencils, and notebooks but since the war they have not been allowed out of the house. The girls instead went to a relatives house while the others went to a stationary shop to purchase the girls supplies. Riverbend helped to pick out some Barbie and Winnie the Pooh notebooks as well as strawberry scented erasers even though the kids had never tasted strawberries. Back at home the girls waited impatiently and immediately grabbed the bags from their mothers hands. The older girl was very pleased with her supplies but the other claimed she was too old for Winnie the Pooh and wanted a Barbie copybook instead.

HW30B: Keene State College Citizenship Symposium

Citizen Soldiers and Global Warriors

On Thursday, November 8, at the Keene State College Citizenship Symposium there was a speech entitled, “Citizen Soldiers and Global Warriors.” The speech was done by Scott Ritter who is a former UN weapons inspector and seemed to be a very knowledgeable man. His speech started off by taking the words of the title piece by piece and defining them. He started with “citizen soldiers.” Scott believed that to be a citizen soldier we must strive for what we believe in and full fill the elements listed to us in the constitution. He says we have failed to live up to the constitution and “we call ourselves citizens but we don't function as citizens.” during the coarse of the speech the obvious topic came up of the war in Iraq. Ritter was not afraid to admit that the war in Iraq is illegitimate and it is our fault as citizen soldiers at home. Next came the issue of what the U.S. Should do now and if we are to stay in Iraq or leave. Ritter said that the world has lost trust in Americans and we need to stop telling others how to live their lives. I believe he received the largest applause of the night when he stated, “ We are the problem not the solution, bring the troops home.”

HW30A: Keene State College Citizenship Symposium

Secret Daughter


Tuesday night at the Keene State College Citizenship Symposium there was a speaker by the name of June Cross. Cross is a teacher and a reporter who made a documentary called “Secret Daughter.” her presentation began with a quick introduction and description of her film, followed by a question and answer session. The documentary was about the issue of racism. Cross was a black women who grew up with a difficult life. Her mother was white and afraid of admitting that June was her daughter. She never actually new her black father as a child which made her life even more difficult. In the documentary she states how confused and frustrated she was with her mother by saying, “ when i was a child i spent hours in the mirror looking for her lightness in my face.” she had to find her own family that would appreciate her and make her feel loved and did with a colored family by the name of the Gregory's. It wasn't until she made the documentary that her mother was finally able to open up to her and explain what her own child hood was like and how she ended up with June's father. It's all a really depressing story but through her words and documentary, June has helped may individuals notice and make changes towards fixing the problem of racism.

HW31: The Water

Baghdad Burning

On page fifty of Baghdad Burning, Riverbend states that there was no running water for the entire day. At first i thought that water is everywhere and how easy it would be to survive a day without it in the first place. Th then researched the weather in Baghdad and found why it would be very difficult. There was a blog that stated temperatures in the shade can exceed 120 degrees Fahrenheit, making it difficult to even breath. As a redhead myself, who is mildly allergic to the sun, i know i wouldn't last very long in this environment. It also explains why Riverbend feels bad for the American military because they just stand in the heat all day. There have been stories that the soldiers fry eggs on their tanks. “A wicked man once remarked that Iraqis do not have the fear of God in them because they already live in hell!!” (Khaleel, A Glimps of Iraq)

Khaleel, Abu. "A Glimpse of Iraq: Baghdad Summer Days." A Glimpse of Iraq. 15 Sep 2005. 5 Nov 2007 http://glimpseofiraq.blogspot.com/2005/09/baghdad-summer-days.html.


Riverbend. Baghdad Burning: Girl Blog From Iraq. New York: Feminist Press, 0.

HW28: an open letter to Riverbend

Dear Riverbend,

as an American i just wanted to say how thankful i am that you are able to share your thoughts, feelings, opinions, and stories with us. From your blog, as you have already stated, we are able to learn a different point of view as well as stories we wont find on Fox News or CNN. The American media makes us believe we are helping the Iraqis and from your writing we find that this is not happening and you in fact state that you feel unsafe. Your posts, mostly for Americans, do seem a bit harsh but when considering what our government has done you have a right to be harsh. I understand where you are coming from in many situations such as feeling unsafe, then nine-member rotating presidency, as well as the presence of the American military. Hopefully many other Americans can understand this as well. Again, i would like to thank you for your thoughts ans hope that things take a turn for the better.

HW27: Baghdad Burning Annotated Bibliography

Baghdad Burning. New York: Feminist P, 2005.

Baghdad Burning is a great book for our Blog class. It is written by a women whose nave is unknown as she describes herself by using the name of Riverbend. All we know about Riverbend is that she's an Iraqi women who is 24 years old and she survived the war. Through her blog she brings us into her heart as she goes through the struggles in her daily life. Its great because we can learn a lot about what its like to be an Iraqi and how they might view what has happened with the war in Iraq. By doing this our class can learn what has already been happening and what is to come for Iraqi women in terms of their rights and freedoms. Riverbends writing challenges us, as Americans, to step outside of our cultural ways and replace them with her view of what we have den to Baghdad.

HW 25: Foreword/Introduction

Baghdad Burning

The Foreword states that the book brings as close a possible to the war in Iraq. “close means right inside the heart and mind of a young Baghdadi women as she lives through the war” (Riverbend Vii). She writes of humanity in her blog that even shows sympathy for the invading troops as they suffer from the hot sun day after day. Included is also a fair amount of politics. The introduction states how lucky we are to have this blog thanks to the fact that Riverbend writes in excellent English. Iraq has experienced some devastating wars in the past such as the Gulf War where several thousands of soldiers and civilians were killed. The war also created disease that killed thousands of more people. Wars here were usually fought over oil because it is a natural resource that most countries lack in supply. The introduction then goes on to talk about her views of the war in 2003. At the time of the war i still considered myself as being to young to understand. From the talk of my family and friends around me as well as various news reports it seemed as if war may have been our only option. Now that it has occurred many regret the decision and it appears to me that our country hasn't received much good out of the attack.

HW24: CH 5 & 6

A Room of my Own

In the eyes of Virginia Woolf we have come a long way in history today. She makes this obvious as she states, “there are almost as many books written by women as by men” (Woolf 79). This shows huge improvements from the beginning of the book, suggesting that maybe her hypothesis of women and a room of their own was correct. I have a room of my own that i never really thought about until now. Its a place where i can go to be alone and think to myself. Though the world outside my room can be loud and obnoxious, my room is always quiet and peaceful. Virginia says “there is truth in what you say” (Woolf 112). my room is where the truth to everything i know is allowed to come out whether it be thoughts, feelings, or secrets. Its my own space to rid of all disturbances so i can concentrate on accomplishing my goals in life.

HW23: Jezebel in Virginias Eyes

With Apologies to Virginia Woolf

last night on Jezebel there was post titled, “Marie Osmond Faints on Dancing with the Stars.” Osmond was dancing so hard that by the time she was finished she just couldn't seem to catch her breath as she collapsed. She was like goose using so much energy while migrating for the winter that ends up at the wrong destination or like a yo yo that is tossed downward and rolls to its maximum length but abruptly stops and can no longer return to the surface. Her breaths were short and force full yet she continued to smile like like a burning candle that is blown out by the wind. Laying on the hard floor she awakens with a strange feeling loneliness as if she were a single puppy trapped in a glass case of emotion. In the end she finds what actually happened and is still recognized for a great performance that will now easily be remembered.

http://defamer.com/hollywood/breaking/marie-osmond-faints-on-dancing-with-the-stars-313786.php

HW22: CH2 Patriarchy

Paper Patriarchy

In the book, “A Room of One's Own,” by Virginia Woolf, she states, “the most transient visitor to this planet, i thought, who picked up this paper could not fail to be aware, even from this scattered testimony, that England is under the rule of a patriarchy” (Woolf 33). she comes to this conclusion very quickly because almost everything she read in the lunch edition of the evening paper was based around males. There was one article she mentioned that involved a women which was that, “a film actress had been lowered from a peak in California and hung suspended in mid-air” (Woolf 33). There were also views of patriarchy in chapter one when she wasn't allowed on the university grass and when she failed to enter the library because she wasn't accompanied by a male. After reading her thoughts i took a look at the Keene Sentinel to see if this was true in todays society. After looking for a bit i came to the conclusion that the paper was pretty equal. There were enough articles that could be directed separately towards women or men, as well as articles that both men and women might enjoy. Some may argue this view but to me it sounds like a big improvement from the story by Virginia Woolf.

HW21: Chapter 1 A Room of One's Own

Hey little Bro here is some help

The chapter begins with her sitting on the river bank thinking of how she was asked to speak about women and fiction. After awhile she is asked to move by a security guard because women were not allowed to walk on the grass. The narrator then recalls an essay written by Charles Lamb so she goes to the university library to look at it but again is told that women can only enter when accompanied by a male that attends the college. Throughout the chapter she tells a number of stories that are only slightly connected to what is actually going on. She then thinks of the history of the university and recalls a lunch that she attended. Still on the topic of the lute she gets distracted by a cat without a tail. The cat makes her realize that she is missing something in her memory of the lute. She then continues to speak of how the lunch has changed as well as how poetry has changed. Later she wonders why women are so poor and what her life might be like today if her mother had made money and left it for her. Looking back on the chapter there appears to be a lot of nonsense but what you need to remember is that she is asked to speak of women and fiction. I think what she is saying is that in order for women to write about women and fiction then they need a room of their own with their own space and not interruptions.

HW19: global influence

“Web Influence” pg 85-86

Blogs already have a big influence in United States politics and the top five political blogs together attract over half a million viewers per day. The big question is, can the blogosphere influence global politics as well? To answerer this question i would begin by stating that as of now blogs just do not have enough power to accomplish this. “According to the 2003 Pew Research Center for the People and the Press Internet Survey, only 4 percent of online Americans refer to blogs for information and opinions.” the majority of the people use blogs for social reasons. For example,”the typical blog is written by a teenage girl who uses it twice a month to update her friends and classmates on happenings in her life.” Essentially i am arguing that the answer to this question, according to the reading, would have to be no. But above all, international media coverage is a big reason that blogs have and are becoming more influential today.

HW18: Friendly Sluts

Sluts

http://jezebel.com/gossip/sexplanation/sluts-theyre-not-whores-theyre-just-friendly-308648.php

Today in Jezebel there was a post titled “Sluts: They're Not Whores, They're Just Friendly!” The post states it has been scientifically proven that it's possible for someone to be slutty just because they're a good person. “Patrick and Charlotte Markey, who headed up the study, found that those who get around the most are either warm/affectionate or cold/distant, with few falling in between, a statistic that holds true for both men and women.” I think this is ridiculous. First of all what type of experiment is going on here? I believe people should be warm and affectionate but this doesn't mean they should sleep around. I realize times are changing and sex has become more accepting but having many partners is should still be a big NO because it is unhealthy and can cause spread of disease. The bottom line is if you look up slut in the dictionary i can guarantee you won't find the words warm and affectionate next to it.

HW17B: Cox and Zuniga

Influence of blogs on elections

Two blogs that may influence the way people vote in a coming election are “Wonkette” by Ana Marie Cox, and “Daily Kos” by Markos Moulitsas Zuniga. If i had to pick between these blogs i think i would have to say that the Daily Kos is more influential. Markos Moulitas Zuniga is a very intelligent man and puts a lot of effort into his blogs. The blog its self is well organized and more professional than that of Ana Marie Cox's. As soon as you open the site you will notice pictures of political issues which in a way let you know what the focus of the blog is about. Zuniga is very honest as well and even admits that traditional democratic consultants and media firms have influence of the party that can be negative. They are simply more interested in making money then winning the election. The Daily Kos also brings in more viewers than Wonkette. During the weeks before the election there were over 625,000 visitors per day. If that doesn't prove the the influence the Daily Kos can have then i don't know what will. 625,000 visits per day is just absolutely insane. Clearly the Daily Kos is kind of a big deal when election time comes around.