The Declaration of Independence

The Founding Fathers of America, presented as intellectually capable and bright, could not have foreseen that the signing of The Declaration of Independence would lead to one of the greatest experiments in democracy, nor the fact that the republic they created would remember them in a night filled with barbecue, fireworks, and beer. In the document, however, Jefferson and the other writers listed grievances they had against England and King George. These grievances helped shape our country in a very drastic and deep way. "He has kept among us, in times of peace, Standing Armies without the consent of our legislatures" This is talking about the Quartering Acts England enacted during the French-Indian and Revolutionary war. This affected Americans so deeply that the Framers of the United States Constitution, in the Bill of Rights, wrote the third amendment. The third amendment strictly prohibits the quartering of troops (at least in peacetime). "For imposing Taxes on us without our Consent" This grievance refers to the stamp act, iron act, molasses act, tea act, and the coercive acts. These were all acts that had made Americans feel that were unfair. That is why it is very difficult to pass taxes in the federal government/.

Another Act of Terror. This Time in Kenya

http://www.cnn.com/2013/09/22/world/africa/kenya-mall-attack/index.html?hpt=hp_t1

It is always unfortunate to hear about any murder. When a life is taken away from the hands of others, it is a time for humanity to collectively shake its head and sigh. When sixty-eight innocent civilians are murdered, however, it requires immediate action and an immediate evaluation of life. How can an estimated ten to fifteen gunmen enter an upscale mall in Nairobi, Kenya, and open fire? The answer is unclear, but more importantly why would an estimated ten to fifteen gunmen enter an upscale mall in Nairobi, Kenya and open fire? The terror was not random. The terrorists were attacking non-muslims. The gunmen were claimed to have been from around the world, but they are all members of the militant organization Al-Shabaab from Somalia. It is very "fitting" that President Obama was pushing for Congress to approve the arming and support of Al-Qaeda rebels in Syria (an organization in which the government "officially" condemns), and now an affiliate of Al-Qaeda, Al-Shabaab, killed one of his nephews and fiance. There can be no positive progress as a species if acts of unnecessary violence continue. There are no ways to prevent such acts. The only step to take is to lead by example, and rid the world of all the evil that perverts the minds of fellow mankind by committing more acts of good.

U.S. Consulate attack in Afghanistan

http://www.cnn.com/2013/09/13/world/asia/us-consulate-afghanistan-attack/index.html?hpt=wo_c2

The sovereign state of Afghanistan has taken many steps in order to be ruled by a democratically elected government. It was not always like this, however. Afghanistan’s history has been defined by different Islamic tribes in conflict for hundreds of years. No other conflict scars Afghanistan’s history than that of the Pashtun people and the Hazaras. The superior Pashtun’s ruled with a radical Islamic fundamentalist ideology during the reign of the Taliban. Ever since the late 20th century, the Taliban have been ruthlessly committing numerous human rights violations against the Hazaras, such as the stripping of basic human rights and liberties. The prejudice, discrimination, and inhumane actions of the ethnically dominant Pashtuns to the inferior Hazaras have proven to be numerous human right violations. The efforts of Afghanistan, numerous other nations, and international organizations have shown to be fruitless. The Taliban translates to “students” in Pashto. They are a conservative Islamic group. The Taliban members believe that the Quran and Sunnah should lead life. The Taliban have strict and extreme interpretations of Muslim documents, such as Sharia Law. The Sharia Law dictates how Muslims should live their lives, ranging from many personal to ideological aspects. Infractions of these extremely interpreted rules would result in punishments that did not fit the crime. The Taliban is a firm believer in Jihad. Jihad is a belief that Muslims should take over all the non-Muslims by any means necessary. This belief results in yet another ideology, that of pan-Islamism. Pan-Islamism is the belief that all of mankind should hold the Muslim faith.

The Taliban recently attacked a United States consulate at dawn on Friday September 13, in the Herat province. Afghan security forces were forced to engage in gunfire, resulting in three casualties. There were no American losses, but people guarding the embassy died fighting a group the United States supported.

It is ironic every "revolutionary" group the U. S. supports ends up stabbing the U.S. in the back. The Taliban and Iran are all good examples. Will history repeat itself with Syria?

Ben and Jerry's- Chocolate Cookie Dough

If you have not experienced the glorious flavor of Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough, manufactured by world-renowned ice cream entrepreneurs Ben and Jerry's, then you have lived an unfulfilled life. Your life has had only some purpose. There has been no true content. (pathos-past three lines)

Men, women, children alike have all been a part of this special movement. (asyndeton) Since 1991, this more than popular flavor has served as the model for all cookie dough ice cream flavors since. Yet, this original and simple recipe stays true even from its humble beginnings. Are you ready to be a part of this historical movement? (rhetorical question)

There is a difference between this flavor and all other flavors. This flavor has variety. This flavor has exquisite taste. This flavor has balance. This flavor has name-recognition. This flavor has a unique combination of vanilla ice cream and chunks of cookie dough. This flavor has an effect so remarkable, it cannot be put into text on this very blog; this flavor is not a taste, it is an experience. Ice cream is a delicacy enjoyed by most of the world.

I urge the world to try this flavor. When in doubt, when there is no progress, when there is no hope, Ben and Jerry's Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Ice Cream is the first step in making things. Do it for not only yourself, but for the betterment of the world in which you inhabit, ultimately for mankind.

Obama to Syria... On Second Thought

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/09/01/obama-syria-congress_n_3850848.html

David Espo wrote "Obama Seeks Approval From Congress For Syria Strike" in  light of important recent events. President Barack H. Obama and his administration has been pushing for military intervention against Syria for quite some time. Until the evening of Friday, August 30, it was highly expected for the President to make the call, but after discussion among his closest aides he recanted his previous decision and seeker approval from Congress. The President of the United States, according to the Constitution, is the commander-in-chief; therefore, the President did not have to make this move. However, politically speaking it is in-genius. Congressional support transcends to American and bi-partisan support. This move is no doubt calculated to ensure that President Obama will get the votes, but there is a chance that Congress will reject Obama's proposed draft as fast as the Parliament of the United Kingdom denied Prime Minister Cameron's. Besides unclear domestic support, there is almost no international support. Except for France backing the United States, no major country supports the decisions, they condone it. Specifically from Russia, The United States faces harsh international criticism. The projected death toll by the United States of the chemical attacks was proven to be double the death toll reported by a third party health organization in Syria. There is no telling what the right move for the United States is. This move must consist of action against moral and ethical violations of human rights, not the political agenda of the elite to wage war in an already conflicted region.