Declaration of Independence

In the year of 1776, on July 4th, the United States of America was never to be the same again. American heros of that time period constructed the first building block into shaping America into what it has become today. In the Declaration of Independence, the committee who drafted this document declared their independence through the words expressed on it. They formally voiced their concerns and grievances throughout its entirety.
One of the grievances states that, "He has called together legislative bodies at places unusual, uncomfortable, and distant from the depository of their Public Records, for the sole purpose of fatiguing them into compliance with his measures." This complaint is absolutely plausible because of the measures that King George III would take in order to get his way. He would purposely convene meetings in places that would be a struggle to get to, in order for people to be tired and weak by the time they get there. This plan would be in favor of the King because the representatives would be in such a exasperated and distressed mood, that they would compromise with whatever the King would suggest. In todays day of age, the President of the United States would doubtlessly do no such thing.  President Barack Obama most definitely suggests meeting in appropriate places in order to hear the words and opinions of his trusted delegates and representatives.
Another grievance pronounced by the committee states that, "He had endeavoured to prevent the population of these States; for that prupose obstructing the Laws for Naturalization of Foreigners; refusing to pass others to encourage theire migrations hither, and raising the conditions of new Appropriations of Lands." These acts suggested by King George are against the thought of the members of the committee. People who legally strive to migrate to the United States should be allowed to set foot into the country. Preventing the population to grow in the states is something that cannot be prevented. During the time period that is lived in today, issues such as this grievance have also arised. However a more suitable approach is being taken to control the migration of people in and out of the United States. Illegal immigrants are always on the governments lookout, and people legally trying to enter the country are surely given the chance to.
Our country has gone through many phases and changes from the time of its birth, as citizens of America, one can only hope for the better.

Shop Til' You Drop...Literally.

"Most Nairobi Mall Hostages Rescued, Kenyan Army Says"

- The Huffington Post

It certainly was not a regular shopping day on Saturday September 21st at the Westgate Centre Mall in Nairobi, Kenya. The attack began at 12:00 pm when militants entered the mall throwing grenades and firing automatic weapons. Prior to their entry, two helicopters were circling on top of the mall, one skimming across the top of the building. Kenyan Defence Forces said that they had rescued most of the hostgaes and had control over the majority of the mall. Four of the Kenyan Military personnels were injured. Throughout Saturday and Sunday, the mall was filled with the sounds of gunfire and explosions. Al- Shababs militants, the criminals were not pleased about the actions being taken against them when they stated that by reacting in an offensive manner, the Kenyan army is endangering the lives of the hostages. The Kenyan army would not release the exact number of hostages however Kenya's Red Cross said in a statement that forty-nine people were reported as missing. Kenya's Red Cross team stated that the death toll on Sunday rose to sixty-eight as nine bodies were recovered in a rescue mission. 

Somalias, al-Qaida-linked rebel group, al- Shabab was held responsible for this criminal act. The attack was said to be specifically targeted on non- Muslims. The Islamic extremist group stated that this attack was retribution for Kenyan forces' 2011 push into neighboring Somalia. 

According to Ryan Craggs, who posted "Most Nairobi Mall Hostages Rescued, Kenyan Army Says" on September 22nd, Kenya's military had suggested that they had recued 'most' of the hostages in attempt to end the two-day operation that had already killed sixty-eight people.

Another Life Taken

"Jonathan Ferrell Killed: Man Shot in North Carolina was a Former FAMU Player"

- The Huffington Post

Tragedy hit for a young man named Jonathan Ferrell in the town of Charlotte-Mecklenburg, North Carolina. After surviving a deadly car wreck, the former college football player was seeking help in the middle of the night. Headed toward the nearest house in the area, the owner of the home unable to recognize Ferrell, called the Charlotte-Mecklenburg County Police Department. With the mere assumption that Ferrell was breaking and entering, one of the officers shot him after failing to tase the man, to keep him from approaching the officers. 

Within a few hours, investigators had determined that the shooting was excessive and charged Officer Randall Kerrick with voluntary manslaughter in the death of Jonathan A. Ferrell, twenty-four year old former Florida A&M University football player. 

The Police stated that the first encounter of Ferrell and Kerrick was "lawful and appropriate." However in their statement late Saturday, they confirmed that Officer Kerrick's shooting was excessive and that he did not have a right to shoot an unarmed man. 

Officer Randall Kerrick turned himself in Sunday morning and was released on a $50,000 bond. His first hearing in court will be held on Monday, September 16, 2013 according to Simon McCormack, who filed this article on September 15, 2013.

Police Chief Rodney Monroe described Ferrell's automobile accident in a news conference. He stated, "Ferrell was driving a vehicle that crashed into trees off a northwest Charlotte road early Saturday, and the wreck was so severe that he would have to climb out of the back window to escape." After walking half a mile to the nearest home, Jonathan Ferrell met the end of his road. 

Warrior

One may suggest that Warrior is merely another cliched fighting movie. However Rex Reed thought otherwise when he wrote his review on September 7, 2011 in the New York Observer. His review mainly consists of claim of value, since the article is based on his judgement of approval towards this movie. Reed applauds the director of this film, Gavin O'Connor, for his "direction and pungent screenplay." Reed seems to believe that nowadays all a man needs to have to land a movie is " a gym membership that twists and tortures a normal physique into that of Conan the Barbarian." However he explained how the roles for the movie were given to the absolute proper actors, Tom Hardy and Joel Edgerton, "the two meatheads who can really act."
Throughout the review article, one can immediately recognize the passion that Reed applies into his words for this movie. He states, "Skillfully made and adrenalin-fueled, Warrior is nothing like what I expected--leaves you thoroughly sated, energized and wanting more." His beliefs and views on the movie as a whole is considered to be claim of value, because it is arguable, since it is Reed's own expression of taste and preference. What may seem like "an excitng, well-made testosterone explosion called Warrior," may strike one as being simply another boxing and martial arts cliche. Rex Reed surely did not fail to attract to the minds of people searching for a thorough and remarkably written review for Warrior.

http://observer.com/2011/09/warrior-is-not-without-a-fight/

Life Lived Short

"Kenis Green, 12, Shot To Death in Detroit, Alvin Conwell Charged With Murder"

-The Huffington Post

A twelve year old boy, living in northwest Detroit was shot to death while playing with his friends outside his home. The mother of this young boy, Sunsearae Hall did not know of the tragedy to come, when she allowed her son to go out and play. The woman's boyfriend Greg Owens was also outside during the shooting and is now hospitalized with a wound in his stomach. According to WJBK-TV when Owens saw the suspects vehicle, he told all the children to run inside. Unfortunately one little boy, Kenis, did not make it on time and got shot in the head, the bullet instantly taking his life.

Kenis was described as hard-working, fun-loving, polite, and an athelete. He was going into the eighth grade and played as a lineman for the school football team. He was absolutely loved by everyone the was surrounded by him. 

Alvin Conwell, the thirty-three year old suspect was arrested and held at the Wayne County Jail.  He was charged with first degree premeditated murder, two counts of assault with intent to murder and felony firearm in connection to Kenis Green's death and Greg Owens' injuries. 

The heart of the problem was initiated through adult jealousy. It stemmed from an earlier fight that took place, when Conwell suspected that Owens had been talking to his girlfriend. As a result of Conwell's assumptions, he acted upon his thoughts, killing an innocent and powerless boy. Kate-Abbey Lambertz wrote "Kenis Green, 12, Shot to Death in Detroit, Alvin Conwell Charged with Murder" on September 6, 2013, hoping to never write about an event as dreadful as this again. 

Cookies N' Cream Anyone?

Cookies N' Cream

Since 1978

Mmmmm... How I would love to devour a Cookies N' Cream ice cream cone. The creamy and crunchy and chocolatey goodness is definitely something people should strive for in their lives. (polysyndeton) You do not choose the cookies n' cream life, the cookies n' cream life chooses you. (chiasmus) The cookies n' cream ice cream flavor consists of the sweet and soothing creamy vanilla with a kick of the crunchy and rich Oreo cookies. One lick into this perfect combination of flavorful excellence and it is as if I am a little girl again, sitting on the park bench with my Uncle, enjoying an ice cream cone in the scorching summer sun. (pathos) Who would want to eat just any ordinary ice cream flavor? (rhetorical statement) Not me! Cookies n' cream was made for people who love the simplicity and savoriness of vanilla, but also the daring and luscious crunch of the Oreo cookies. The Cookies n' cream ice cream flavor is often known as the "King Kong of Ice Cream" because it immediately climbed to the top of the World Favorite Ice Cream Flavor List in 1983. There is a reason why this flavor has been a prized ever since it became known to mankind, it simply tastes heavenly.

A Diamond in the Rough

"Billy Ray Harris, Homeless Man Who Returned Diamond Ring, Gets a New Home!"

-The Huffington Post

Six months ago, a fifty-five year old man named Billy Ray Harris was homeless. He lived on a street corner in Kansas City, watching his life go past him, asking for spare change. Little did he know, that his life was going to take a drastic turn. One day in February, Sarah Darling was passing by Billy Ray, sitting in his usual spot and she decided to drop some change into his cup. The woman, not noticing that she had dropped her diamond engagement ring inside the cup, continued walking along her path. The idea of selling the ring for the appraised amount of $4,000 did cross Harris' mind. However he could not go through with it. Harris said in an interview with KCTV, "I am not trying to say that I am no saint, but I am no devil either." He decided to wait for Darling to return, to hand it back to her. Three days later, Darling came back to Harris, and asked if he had the ring. Harris took the ring out, and placed it on the woman's finger. 

Darling was incredibly grateful for the man's honesty and kindness, and she acted upon her emotions. Sarah Darling and her fiance Bill Krejci decided to launch a fundraiser for Billy Ray Harris. The goal that they hoped to reach was $1,000. As word got around, the couple were overwhelmed by the amount of money they were receiving. After only three months, they had collected $190,000 for this man. Harris now owns a car, put a down payment on a new home, and reconnected with his family which he had not seen in sixteen years. Harris told Today, "When I think of the past, I think-- thank God it's over, I feel human now." On September 2, 2013, Eleanor Goldberg wrote this article to prove that the good in humanity still exists in this world we live in.