Rand today!

Here are three articles that discuss Rand and her beliefs in relation to things going on today.

Many of you may recall that within the disaproval of Obama, words like "socialism" and "communism" have been spread around in regards to his ideas for a universal health care system, modifications to taxes and the banking system, and government control of big businesses. Whether you agree with these thoughts or disagree is one thing, but it seems to speak of Rand's main ideas of the government looking to limit some from seeking their individual potential. Again, these ideas are very radical and extreme, but they do question how things should be run.

Many of the following articles relate more to her other book, Atlas Shrugged, which many believe to have been an almost identical scenario to that of our current economic situation. Start off with the first article to fully understand it's main points.

--> Missing the Point of Atlas Shrugged

--> The Ayn Rand Renaissance

The following article is written with less emphasis on politics and the economy, and more with individuality which we discussed a few days ago.

-->Be unique like everyone else

If none of these seem interesting enough for you, try to find your own Rand-related article to write about. You can find many on the Ayn Rand Institute website, as well as on any news search engine (news.google.com, news.yahoo.com, etc...).

Make sure you comment!!

The Relevance of Rand

Read some of the articles on the Ayn Rand website and try to find one that you feel can connect well with what you have read from Anthem thus far. Respond in a manner that helps me to see that you understand the book as well as how it relates to current events.

Ayn Rand Institute - News and Highlights!

Wikipedia Revolution

We've all been there at some point, whether intentionally or just by chance. Wikipedia is a rapidly growing encyclopedia that is managed by any readers who wish change an entry. Your own school has a page!

One author writes about the newfound reliance on Wikipedia and how it has affected our lives, while critics of the site ask: Are we dangerously dependent on Wikipedia?

The Wikipedia Revolution

Respond to this article:

• How is Wikipedia beneficial?
• How is it relevant?
• In what ways is it reliant? How is it not?
• Any other thoughts you may have...

Take the day to catch up on things you have not completed and/or work on your own personal blog! Make sure that by now you have some clear ideas as to what you're interested in writing about on your blogs and that you have begun working with them.

HEY GUYS--BEFORE YOU BEGIN READ THIS!!!!

Hey there--before you start your work today, please read the comment I made at the end of the thread from last week--the post with the pictures of German soldiers. I think this comment is very important and some of you really need to take it to heart.

It's the fourteenth comment at this link.

http://englishii3.blogspot.com/2009/03/look-at-pictures-taken-of-german.html#comments

Thanks,

Ms. Biondi

Returning home...

Here are two articles that talk about the difficulties faced by soldiers who come home from the war. You can choose either one to write about in your response!

MN Guard helps Iraq Vets Leave Soldier Life behind:
http://www.dma.state.mn.us/press_room/e-zine/articles/index.php?item=1010
This is an article about a program to help soldiers ease into their return from the war. There comes a point in which soldiers are no longer familiar with civilian life and they need that extra support to make the transition. The Minnesota National Guard is trying to provide that service...

For Veterans Returning Home:
http://www.jmu.edu/counselingctr/Resources/veterans.html
James Madison University has a very helpful guide on their Counseling Center website about the transition that soldiers must make. It talks about the common feelings towards their life at war in comparison to that from at home.

Take the time to analyze these articles in relation to the novel, All Quiet on the Western Front. Here are some GUIDING questions (note: do more than just answer these questions).

1. How might these kinds of programs/articles help Paul and his fellow soldier?
2. Why does not every soldier participate in helpful programs like these?
3. Having read this article, what would you do and say to help prepare a veteran returning to civilian life?

Look at the pictures taken of German soldiers during World War I. Study them and respond to all the following questions in detail.

What do you think of when you look at these pictures?

How do these photos relate to situations and events in the story we are reading? Be sure to choose at least three or four scenes from the novel we have read so far and describe them in relation to the pictures.