Camp Darfur

Camp Darfur has been the most complicated, interesting, frustrating, exhilarating and explosive project I have ever been apart of at High Tech High. It has also been of the most fun and the most meaningful. How many high school students can say they have been part of the crusade to stop genocide? Not many. And when you think about it, that is all what High Tech High is about. This project has much to say about our school and what we do here. Basically, this genocide awareness project was a two part process. The first was titled In-Action, consisting of initial planning, researching and educating others about genocide. Here, we created an installation which represented the number of fatalities our genocide has experienced. This was the initial stage. The next part was called Camp Darfur. This was where we put all of our knowledge into. For two days, we hosted a genocide event where people would walk around, listen to guest speakers, and experience what is going on around the world. This project has taught me about the power of the people and how it is possible to make a difference.

My partners and I researched on the genocide in Burma, located in South-East Asia. For weeks, we researched the genocide and became experts on the subject. We then created an action plan that would be carried out at Camp Darfur. We wanted to demonstrate something – do something physical. We had the idea to read a collection of stories, recollections and poems of what is actually going on in Burma. While we gave this presentation, everyone would lie down, symbolizing the fallen civilians in Burma. All the people who were involved were given a candle to commemorate the victimized. This was an effective way to present the information while instilling the barbaric imagery to the people. When it came down to our demonstration, it was nearly perfect. We were told that it was brilliant and I whole heartedly agree.

I believe that this was an amazing event. It showed how students can actively change the world around us. While I do not believe it will change foreign policy, I do believe that it is a good example of genocide education. Camp Darfur has several guest speakers who shared their personal knowledge of varies genocides. A few Sudanese men spoke about their fight to escape and what the government is capable of. Intense stories of death, resistance and murder were told. People who had no idea of what was going on were amazed. How can we stand idly by while thousands of innocents are dying? was a common question. Well, it is a shame but that is how bureaucracy and politics work. While working on this project, I have learned why action has not taken place. Where was the action in Iraq, Rwanda and Armenia? It’s sad, but many countries do not acknowledge a situation a genocide until it is over. This just might be the case in Darfur. Hopefully, there will action if more people are aware of the situation.

Not on Our Watch: Final Thoughts

After reading the book, I can say that it has had an overwhelming influence in my political views. Not all have been good, however. For example, how civilian action will only take place if the government has the same interests. The reality is that civilian action alone will not do anything. Neither will unilateral action – we need a coalition and multilateral approach, something which will be close to impossible to obtain. I have also confirmed my belief in the United Nations: totally ineffective. With both China and Russia (who are war profiteering) on the Security Council, the UN cannot change Darfur.

Overall, I had a good experience with the book. For better or worse it has made me realize how wrong the authors are. I appreciate their work, but I believe their suggestions will be ineffective. Well, at least most of them anyway. They have made exceptional strides in the awareness campaign and have also inspired many people. I learned a great deal on the way and have come to an understanding of the situation. The last chapters talked a great deal on what can be done and I hope the people that read this will be drawn to action. If nobody ever speaks out against the immoral, nothing will ever change. This is true with African American and women’s rights across the US. We can make a difference – it just depends on what is done.

Not on Our Watch: Response 2

In reading three more chapters, I have come to develop a strong opinion on the book. It delivers vital information while providing ideas on how you can help. For those who don’t have a clear idea to what is going on in Darfur, there are numerous chapters which explain the situation. The motives for killed non-Muslim Africans, the groups involved with the genocide as well as countries who sponsor the genocide are all discussed. I really like the way this book explains the crisis – Don and Ron give a full analysis of every aspect of the problem and what can be done to stop it.

The authors also make connections to the Rwandan genocide and how similar they are. This helps by putting matters in context so as to understand the full problem with Sudan. They also explain why the US hasn’t been actively involved. What they are trying to do is get the word out to the people. However, I believe the suggestions they offer will be ineffective. How can you use economic and weapon embargoes if they are not enforced? How will the US gain support from the United Nations if China and Russia can just veto the bills? Sure, the more people involved the better. But if major countries are actually supplying the killers with arms, helicopters and military jets, how can we solve anything. In some ways, I truly believe that Darfur is a lost cause. Economic sanctions won’t help a poor country. Putting political pressure on a government that is so intent on killing will not change a thing. Even with the military, it will be a mess. The United Nations Secuirty Council has the power to employ military action but with two of the big five countries giving arms to Sudan, the UN is useless. Options are limited, if anything. If anything, we can learn how genocide can be stopped. And yet we said this about Rwanda and the Holocaust. I don’t think there is an answer to this problem.

Class Discussion: Darfur

I thought our discussion about Darfur and Not on Our Watch was very interesting. The majority of the conversation dealt with the actual content of the book. I thought that too much time was spent talking about whether the book should present only facts, statistics and data rather than the author’s political and activist stories and anecdotes. Personally, I feel that adding the Don Cheadle’s and John Prendergast’s back stories and accounts of how they got involved with Darfur and preventing genocide is essential is understanding how the average American can thwart genocide. You cannot have all facts – it would get repetitive very fast. Moreover, the majority of the book is explaining how you can help. It outlines key strategies to get your voice heard so that you can make a difference. You also need to know where these people are coming from to understand their objectives.

The open forum was interesting in many respects. For those who think that military options are not required are not well informed. Diplomacy was tried with North Korea and their nuclear program for many years with Bill Clinton bearing no results. Same goes with terrorism: you cannot bargain or negotiate with extremists who intend on killing people. It just cannot be done. Using sanctions on one of the poorest countries is not going to work either – it will just hurt the innocent. As for political pressure, the government will not back down to any demands that are not supporting the Muslim agenda. One comment I heard today said that China would counter any attack made against the Sudanese government. China would never risk sending their troops to battle the Western powers. They pick their battles and Darfur to them is insignificant.

Not on Our Watch

“Never again.” These were the words spoken after the tragic and horrific events of the Holocaust. The world vowed that never again indifference would be the cause of a annihilation of a people. It was thought that no longer would be sit idly by while innocents were being systematically slaughtered. However, as we look at the past fifty years, these words have been missing in action. The citizens of Uganda, Rwanda and Burma have been attacked without any action by the international community. Ultimately, this by standing will result in the death of Darfur. The mission of Don Cheadle and John Prendergast is to end genocide forever. Not on Our Watch documents numerous case files and outlines how we can stop it.

So far, this book has been great. It has outlined the history of Darfur and why it is a troubled region. I find out the history rather interesting. By far, the most important chapter in our reading was number three. The authors describe numerous amounts of civil wars Sudan was experiencing in the mid 21st century. In it’s later years, Sudan has been influenced by the radical Muslims who are very dangerous. This is very disturbing as Osama bin Laden was given safe haven for more than five years in Sudan. They claim they have no more relations with Al-Qaeda and bin Laden but I seriously doubt it. One way they are garnering the lack of support for the native Africans is through the radicals and extremists. This might sound strange but if we incorporate military action in Sudan, we might be relieving the terrorist threat. However, it could also drastically increase the number of jihadists and their anti-Western agenda.

The only part I didn’t like is the emphasis on that Sudan can be changed. Methods such as economic sanctions and political pressure are not the best solutions. If we look at North Korea, Bill Clinton spent much of his time as president using diplomacy, threat of sanctions, etc. only to fail. Additionally, sanctions usually hurt the people rather than the government. As for political pressure, it will be ineffective. The international world knows what’s going on – it’s just that they do not want to be involved. Britain, the former occupier of Sudan, must know what is happening in Darfur. I bet former imperial colonies (Britain, France, Japan) have already talked about Darfur privately and have decided in is not in their best interest to intervene. Some countries might try to convince their citizens that it is a civil war. With both scenarios, failure is inevitable.

The Los Angeles Trip

The field trip to Los Angeles in the pursuit of genocide prevention was an amazing experience. The LA Holocaust Memorial reminded us of times when nothing was done and tells us what may come to be if nothing is done. The brutal images of chemical testing, Nazi death camps, slave labor and torture are horrific reminders so that we can never let this happen again. And yet, somehow “never again” seems to be ignored in many existing genocides, notably in Darfur. The second part of our trip involved the attendance at a Darfur Conference addressing the need to stop the mass murder of a people in Africa. Along the way, I also had one on one conversations with average Americans and their knowledge of the genocide in Darfur. Amazingly, more than half the people I talked to did not know anything about Darfur. This shows the indifference among the people, the media and our planet. This trip was one step in the right direction.

I will admit that the LA Holocaust Memorial was frightening – it showed us of a systematic attempt of the annihilation of a people. Where the Nazis employed gas chambers, crematories and starvation at the death camps. In this memorial, mock gas chambers, cattle cars and crematories were all present. It was not too long ago that this happened. Personally, I felt extremely disturbed at what I saw. I also witnessed several models of the concentration and death camps at the site. This place is to come and see what true evil is like. A very intense place indeed.

The Darfur Conference presented by Don Cheadle and John Prendergast was also very educational and fundamental in understanding what you can do and what is going on within the Darfur region. Being of a select few, I received a free copy of their book, entitled Not on Our Watch, a book dedicated to revealing the truth of the Darfur genocide. During the conference, they addressed key talking points, including: President George W. Bush’s “Plan B”, the specific actions that are conducted throughout the region, who is supporting the Sudanese government and why and the United Nations involvement. Their goal that night was to reach out to people and tell the stories of those who are silenced and cannot speak for themselves. They are on a mission to end this genocide through means of diplomacy, economic restrictions and punishment.

I truly found this experience unlike any other; it was a means to meet passionate activists, educate the voices of America and express our vision to battle indifference and subdue the killers. By being part of this event, we are saying enough is enough. If military force is required to stop the mass murder of the non-Arab Africans, then that is what must be done. With such powerful countries supporting the Sudanese government, it is necessary that we also incorporate multilateral or bilateral talks among the countries. When Sudan is providing China and Arab-countries (radical Islamic as well) it will be difficult to end it peacefully. Not many students can say that they are actively involved to stop genocide across the globe. However, the more people that we talk to, the easier our objective becomes.

Terror in Burma

"What is happening in Burma today is every bit as evil as the atrocities committed by the Bosnian war lords. Atrocities in Bosnia shocked European sensibilities because courageous reporters ensured that the story was told. Politicians reacted with international and judicial sanctions. Trials for war crimes have been established at the Hague. Compare that with our reaction to Burma or Cambodia. What is intolerable in Europe should not be any more tolerable because it is in South East Asia. Is a life in South East Asia worth less than a life in South East Europe?"

-Lord Alton of Liverpool

The genocide of the Jewish people by Nazi Germany in the 1940s was a horrific tragedy. No one will ever forget this terror. The Nazi death camps are notorious and their inhumanity is unquestioned. The rise in power of Adolf Hitler and Benito Mussolini sparked the beginning of fascism and totalitarianism. The holocaust was an event that changed the world forever. The world pledged to never allow this destruction and murder of people to never happen again. And somehow, somehow the evils of genocide have resurfaced. It has been a recurring theme in the last fifty years. The Burmese Genocide has been ignored and disregarded similarly to the Holocaust at the time it was occurring, even though it has been taking place for decades. Intolerance such as this is unacceptable. The Karen people of Burma have been persecuted and oppressed by the military junta. Thousands upon thousands of innocents have been killed due to this oppressive government. It seems that this “slow genocide” is not going to end any time soon.

Burma is considered to be Southeast Asia’s most oppressed nation. It is ruled by a repressive and murderous military regime. The history of militarized Burma is similar to Fascist Italy and Nazi Germany. Ne Win, a popular military commander, was asked to serve as interim prime minister of Burma in 1960. He ultimately gained control of the country in 1962. His regime became totalitarian and a police state was born. Win killed anyone who was a threat, using fear to control his people. He instituted the Burma Socialist Programme Party as the only political party. Win’s police would frequently beat and attack student-led protests. The CPB was overthrown in favor of a new government: the National League for Democracy in 1990. There have been numerous insurgencies by tribal minorities that have led to intense military action and involvement. The regime continues its inhumane policies of forced labor, state-sanctioned rape and torture, as well as the use of explosives to ease outbreaks and rebellion.


Many ethnic sects are targeted for persecution and oppression. The Karen, Karenni and Shan people are the main ethnicities that are ruthlessly attacked. A number of ten thousand Karen people are hiding in the Burmese jungle hiding from the military. If civilians are found, they are shot on sight. There is resistance as the Karen guerilla group tries to counter and rebel against the tyrannous regime. With the military running the government, their efforts prove to be fruitless.

The junta also establishes labor camps where civilians are forced to work in unsanitary and inhumane conditions. A camp usually consists of construction of highways or working with military munitions. These concentration camps are very similar to the ones the Nazis employed. There are very harsh living conditions where many die in the process. If a Burmese man is too weak or too sick to work, he is killed. The bodies are disposed of in local rivers where they rot. It is remarkably similar to the concentration camps where Nazis placed the Jewish people to work. Another sad truth is that the Karen people cannot flee or evacuate to refugee camps. Neighboring countries are also suffering from inner struggles. Both China and India are overpopulated, making immigration into that country close to impossible. Much like the Holocaust workers, the country’s state development projects are solely carried out by citizens of Burma. Citizens are often beaten, tortured, raped, or killed while at these camps. The Burmese work camps are shockingly parallel to how the Nazi concentration camps functioned and operated.

The government uses lethal force against the people whenever and wherever they can. Landmines are utilized across the Thai-Burmese border to prevent any citizens from escaping. These landmines are also scattered throughout the country. The military also sets the landmines near houses, rice fields and farms in order to cripple the harvest, starving its people. Disturbingly, the explosives are also set across regional boundaries that divide ethnic groups. This is to separate the ethnic armed groups from their civilian population. Sometimes, the government charges those who step on a mine a fine for destroying state property. It is extremely sick and twisted to use starvation as a method of warfare. In 2005, there were a reported two hundred and thirty one landmine causalities. For too long, the Burmese government has used explosives to promote fear and silence the people.

Very shockingly, there has been an enormous lack of involvement by the international community. The first dictator, Ne Win, isolated Burma from the rest of the world. Foreigners were expelled and visas were discarded as no one could enter or exit the country. This isolation has disastrously led to the indifference and intolerance of the militant regime. Another sad truth is that many people have no idea what is going on in the country. It is shameful that almost no action has been done by any Non-Profit Organization. The United Kingdom does not even consider the struggle in Burma to be genocide. However, there is not much that can be done for the country. Legally, the Burmese government has broken international law. Burma is a signatory if the 1948 Genocide Convention. The United Nations could bring a case against the administration to the International Court of Justice. Unfortunately, the Burmese catastrophe has been ignored and pushed aside, like the disasters of the holocaust. Not many people are aware of the situation and this is very alarming. Guy Horton has spent five years in Burma and has written a six hundred paged report detailing his findings. He recommends through his report, Dying Alive, that a legal case should be built against the junta declaring their violations of the Geneva Convention, crimes against humanity and genocide. Through the Nuremburg Trials, international justice courts were established that would try those who are accused of crimes against humanity. It is the duty of these courts to bring justice for the oppressed and persecuted. It is very distressing that for over forty years, the Burmese government have been suppressing and maiming its citizens without any international action.

Throughout the last fifty years, millions of lives have been unjustly taken away. The holocaust took the lives of six million Jews across Europe. It was discriminate murder and it has been said to never let this sort of genocide occur again. But those are just words. Words that have been missing in action across nearly a dozen genocides over fifty years. When Saddam Hussein killed hundreds of thousands of his own people, what did people have to say? Nothing. When the people of Rwanda were killed in mass numbers what did the world have to say? Nothing. Not surprising that the genocides in Darfur and Burma have gone unnoticed. It is our obligation to look past the indifference and battle the intolerance that plagues our world today. Imagine what would have happened if France and Britain challenged Hitler years before the Munich Conference. We could have prevented the largest killing of people in modern day history. We look at history to learn about the past and how not to make the same mistakes twice. Any yet we have made the mistake of indifference again and again and again. No matter what happens, the outcome is the same: apathy and unconcern. The people of Burma have been attacked and targeted by their own government for the past forty years. What does the world have to say about this? Nothing. “The Burmese people shouldn’t have to wait another generation for the killing to end and democracy to begin”.

Night: Part Three

“Don’t forget that you’re in a concentration camp. Here, every man has to fight for himself and not think of anyone else. Even of his father. Here, there are no fathers, no brothers, no friends. Everyone lives and dies for himself alone.”

This statement bears witness to the inhumanity and wickedness of the concentration camps and death camps. You must forget everyone else around you and only care for yourself. You must become an animal to survive. Elie felt almost nothing after the first few months in the camps. His mind was altered. His body transformed. A constant sense of death creeps and crawls around you. It becomes so unbearable you don’t even recognize yourself. This is what happened to Elie Wiesel.

I view this as a key quote from the testament of Elie Wiesel. I believe it shows how they were alone in more ways than one. Alone in death. Alone in spirit. Many men die without any notice at all. The corpses are just forgotten and thrown out to make room for the living. They were also alone in this fight against evil. Where was the liberation? Where was the support? More importantly, where was the world? The world certainly knew about these horrors. And yet nothing was done. It is incomprehensible that no action took place to help these innocents. It was only until years into the mass murder that countries helped stop the monstrosities and free the tortured. Wiesel’s tale is such terror that one begins to wonder how these actions could ever have surfaced. His story will never be forgotten. Hopefully, neither will the holocaust.

Night: Part Two

“Where is God? Where is He?”
“Where is He? Here He is – He is hanging here on this gallows…”

During Wiesel’s stay at the death camps and concentration camps, he began to question his faith. Many people did the same. In fact, they were convinced there was no God at all. How could God let this happen? He believed that God frequently kills and ignores his own people. Such is the case for Adam and Eve, the Great Flood, and now the death of the Jews by the Germans. This is quite a statement. Wiesel has been transformed into something other than human. When his father was beaten, he felt no emotion. At the gallows, he did not even cringe. He lived with death and met it face to face. These victims believe that God was dead.

I think this is powerful no matter what you believe. This was a time when millions of people began to question the existence of God. A time where children where seperated from their motherd and fathers and thrown into crematories. How can still have faith in the most extreme conditions? And how could God let millions upon millions of his own people be murdered? Not too long ago, the United States suffered from the same questioning of beliefs. September 11, 2001 was a very grave day in not only American history, but world history as well. A day where nearly 3,000 Americans were killed because of terrorists. A day where time stopped and God was doubted. It describes a point in which, I would assume everyone's life, that they doubt what they believe. But to overcome this doubt, they must find the power to perservere and to withstand. To withstand and to have faith is proving you cannot succumb to the evil of terror. And that is God intends for all of us to do.

Night

Night is the account of Elie Wiesel living in numerous concentration camps during Adolf's Hitler totalitarian rule of Nazi Germany. It explains the inner horror of these camps and the Nazis who served there. Through his tale, we learn of true hatred, evil and suffering.

“Without passion, without haste, they slaughtered their prisoners. Each one had to go up to the hole and present his neck. Babies were thrown into the air and the machine gunners used them as targets.”

Right from the beginning of his horrifying tale of suffering, Elie Wiesel describes the death camps and the killings of countless innocents. As a reader, you gather a lot from this small paragraph in Night, portraying the cruelty of the Nazis and the reality of the concentration camps. It is hard to visualize and comprehend how something so atrocious and inexplicably evil could ever have happened. Thousands upon thousands of Jews were marked and labeled as unequal. Their fate was to be sent to a place where Satan himself resides: a place of death, murder, and malice.

This, as well as other disturbing passages, is a common theme in Wiesel’s account of pain and suffering. A young Wiesel even begins to question whether God exists and how human beings are capable of such acts. I believe however, that one of Wiesel’s ultimate morals will be of perseverance and strength through faith. The other shall state why we should never let this sort of terror happen again. It has however. Multiple occasions. There have been quite a number of holocausts. Darfur, Rwanda, Uganda, Burma. How can something so evil and wicked take place? Is it human nature? We will never no the question.

The Perils of Indifference

The speech made by Elie Wiesel is nothing short of awe inspiring and one hundred percent truth. He talks about indifference and how it is humanity’s plight. It is much easier to turn away and ignore those who are being oppressed in the world than to unite together and fight evil and pursue justice. Wiesel was there – in a place worse than hell – and he now devotes his life to fight this “indifference” and “appeasement”.

His speech was very invigorating and made me think of why indifference is an issue. I don’t understand. Every country has an obligation to seek world peace. If a neighboring government is killing its own people, the international community must take action. That is what The United States and its coalition did with Iraq and Saddam Hussein. There was a threat and we took action. However, sometimes it might lead to further chaos and destruction but the risk must be taken. Imagine if France and Britain stood up and defied Hitler? It’s a matter of global security and peace. We must look at indifference and overcome it.

Indifference is still a problem presently. It was a problem in the 1930s when Hitler rose to power. It was a problem when the Rwandan genocide took place. I fear that it will always be a problem. The Iranian regime has made their intentions clear – they want the destruction of Israel. The more horrifying thing is that this might come to be. French president Chirac told reporters that it’s no big deal if Iran gets nuclear weapons. With a very destructive country who is a state sponsor of terrorism, it is very disturbing to see political leaders appeasing to this imminent threat.

All Quiet on the Western Front Reflection

This novel has left many impressions and images in my mind. The warzone was amazingly described and made me think about warzones, being shellshocked, the inhumanity of war, death and agony. Paul's story is filled with pain and suffering. His squad is slowly taken out, soldier by soldier. In the end, it is only Paul left until he is affected by a chemical attack. Paul died by the end of the story. It taught me much about trench warfare and what solider must endure in battle.

The images of fighting and violence is a constant reminder what happened not so long ago. It is funny as it was considered the "war to end all wars," yet we are in the middle of a huge war on terrorism in the Middle East. These images have remained in my mind becuase it was a huge part of the book. Understanding what these young men went throught was one of the authors goals. I believe he was successful and the reader's perspective of war and the soldiers who fight them are changed. You do indeed learn of the life of these soliders and how they survive. You begin to question if war is really necessary. Or for that matter, can it be avoided. Also, it brings a connection to modern times with the war on terrorism in the Middle East. We no longer use trench warfare, but advanced tactics and procedures. We have learned a lot from WWI (technology being the most) but one thing is for sure: war is eternal.

Dialectic Journals

“Comrade, I did not want to kill you. . . . But you were only an idea to me before, an abstraction that lived in my mind and called forth its appropriate response. . . . I thought of your hand-grenades, of your bayonet, of your rifle; now I see your wife and your face and our fellowship. Forgive me, comrade…how could you be my enemy?”

I thought this quote is extremely interesting. It is the first time Paul Baumer kills another human being. He cannot contemplate his actions and wonders why it must be done. Could it be that Dual is not different from Paul? Paul has gone through an extensive change in personality, attitude, mentality and morality. He seems confused when the deed is done. They are forced to fight each other no matter what their internal feelings are. They have been convinced that the men they are at war against are evil. Is it possible that the propaganda manipulated their thinking? It is possible and that is what happened.

It is interesting how Paul calls the one he killed “comrade”. I think he removed the differences and found something similar to himself. Paul feels that the things that divide the two men are irrelevant. He really connects to Duval in the sense that they are two and the same. The quote also delves deep into the moral decisions of taking another man’s life. It is a constant battle over right and wrong. Paul knew what he had to do but may not know why. The soldier’s mind is a fragile thing – something that is constantly changed and altered into a confused state.



"I am young, I am twenty years old; yet I know nothing of life but despair, death, fear, and fatuous superficiality cast over an abyss of sorrow. I see how peoples are set against one another, and in silence, unknowingly, foolishly, obediently, innocently slay one another."

Paul is describing the soldiers on either side of the war, including himself. Even though he is young, he knows the causalities of war being death, violence, and inhumanity. He believes that they have been tricked and foolishly joined to help the country. The soldiers had no knowledge of what they were going to experience. I think Paul believes that the government is to blame for the war – the soldiers are just mere pawns who are controlled by the government. He realizes that there is no reason to kill one another – man is turned against his brother.
It is very interesting how he says he knows nothing of happiness or joy because of the war. It comes back to the theme of the book – the transformation of man into beast when at war. He is also making a statement of the humanity loss when fighting and killing. The young boys who enter warfare have no idea what they are getting into. It is probably the closest thing to hell on earth. It is something no man wants to experience. A very important quote when discussing the life of soldiers.

Character Bios

William Scotts:

William Scotts is a male solider who enlisted for the Allied Forces with his old friend Thomas Washington. He knew he wanted to help our country by fighting off the Germans. Scotts is about 25 years of age and comes from England (?). He is in the front lines and supports suppressive fire when the enemy attacks the trenches. He serves as a rifleman when attacking the opposition. He is not married, but since the war started, has met a woman named Paulina Madison. She did not want him to go, put he felt it was the right thing to do. He first becomes scared when the attacks begin, but eventually adjusts to the situation. The first chemical bombing was very horrifying; it came swiftly and unrepentantly. Luckily, he was able to put on his gas mask in time. He is very dedicated to what he does and is very patriotic. His squad has taken over many German platoons and soldiers. A few times, Scotts ran out to “No Man’s Land” to put down the German enemy. Scotts is a British soldier who is on the Western Front. His conflict resides in himself. He sometimes questions his actions and whether joining the army was the right decision. He does not know if killing is the right thing. He will find out soon enough in the battles to come.

Thomas Washington:

My name is Thomas William Washington and I am a US soldier. I am 24 years old. I have a wife and three kids back home. Both of my parents had died when I was young and my grandparents had raised me ever since. I didn’t really have much friends growing up until I got in seventh grade. I met one of the greatest guys ever. He was and still my best friend. His name was William Scotts. One of my allies and best friends has joined me in World War I. Together we have killed other people to keep ourselves alive. We have been hiding in these fronts in order to stay alive and kill the enemy. We were born and raised in London, England. We have known each other since the seventh grade. We decided to go to college together but that never came in the picture. The irony of World War I had called us both. I hated everything about wars and killing people. William always thought it would be a real rush and that he always wanted to support his fine country. Then all of a sudden were here in these horrible fronts we call home.

Casualities of War

I know the casualities of war because I am a German solider
My job is to aim, shoot, kill, reload and repeat
My name is Paul Baumer and this is my life
Running through trenches and dodging shells is just a taste
I have seen my friends die by explosive fire
Hell seems like paradise compared to this
Can you hear me? Can you hear my distress?
I hope so, cause no one else is listening
Can you see the humanity in my face?
I cannot, because I lost it when I entered this death zone
Can you imagine fighting as animals and killing like beasts?
I can, because I know the casualities of war

Indifference and Human Nature

Our class discussion on Friday was very interesting. I do believe that indifference does result in genocide and consequently, war. If we look back at how Hitler was rising to power, no one challenged him. It was the appeasement that got him such a large portion of the world. The threat was not imminent to many countries. In fact, Winston Churchill knew the dangers of having Hitler rise in power, but no one would believe him. There is a saying that history repeats itself. This can be seen with Iran’s influence over the rest of the world. I fear that it is also appeasement that will lead to Iran gaining nuclear weapons. Recently, French president Chirac stated that it would not be a bad thing if Iran possesses nuclear weapons. It was this mentality that made Hitler so dangerous and powerful. The United States and the United Kingdom both see the Iranian threat, but many are also discounting it.

One comment in class that I found most interesting was Carl saying that with every war our technology becomes more advanced. I completely agree with this; it seems that we have the latest technology because of warfare. This says much about our inherent nature as humans. I honestly believe that humans are evil, wicked and greedy beings. Because of our imperfectness, we crave power resulting in conquest and world strife. In we also look at the animal kingdom, they also clash very frequently. Different wolf packs attack other wolves or their prey for food. Other animals attack each other because of territory or the female mate. We often see outbreaks of violence in the human society also for many of these reasons. Since this earth was created, violence and cruelty was imbedded in our brain – it is part of who we are.

All Quiet on the Western Front [Response 1]

"All Quiet on the Western Front" is the testament of German solider Paul Brummer during World War I. He fights alongside his best friends in a constant struggle for humanity. Brummer has been at the battlefield before and shares his knowledge of human experiences. The quote below is narrated by Brummer as they storm into battle.

“At the sound of the first droning of the shells we rush back, in one part of our being, a thousand years. By the animal instinct that is awakened in us we are led and protected. It is not conscious; it is far quicker, much more sure, less fallible, than consciousness. . . . It is this other, this second sight in us, that has thrown us to the ground and saved us, without our knowing how. . . . We march up, moody or good-tempered soldiers—we reach the zone where the front begins and become on the instant human animals.”

This statement is very interesting and defines why "All Quiet on the Western Front" was written. I believe that Paul is describing the alteration of man into beast during warfare. By the use of his words “good-tempered soldiers” and “human animals” it is apparent that he is telling how ordinary men are completely altered in light of rushing into battle. He tells us that he is awakened by the gunfire and the whole process is unconscious. Paul is illustrating the men as “human animals” because of the state of action they are in. Killing surrounds evey soldier and is a constant thought rushing through their minds. According to Brummer, men can be completely changed by the shellshocks of gunfire and warfare. This is true in all battlefields as mankind adapts to the current environment. They become beasts and their alterations are based on the actions surrounding them. By living in a killing environment, one must learn how to kill. He also tells us that the arena is very surreal; men not knowingly move out of danger by falling to the ground. Paul believes that this is their “second sight” and this is what keeps them alive. It is almost like he is implying that the battles they endure are animalistic and eventually torment a human’s humanity.

The young men are experiencing what no man wants to go through. War is often called hell, but what these soldiers contend with is even worse. They suffer death at first hand every day. Friends die and enemies are killed. It is a constant struggle of eye for an eye. The constant bombardments of thousands of rounds are just of a taste of their duty. War is a very ugly thing – something mankind must live with forever.

Immigrant Voting: Legal or Illegal?

The rise in immigration in America has led to the debate whether legal and illegal aliens have the right to vote on decisions in America. Many organizations and coalitions have been involved on both sides of the argument. Both have advantages and disadvantages. Currently, it is a hot topic when discussing immigration reform and allowing new rights to non-US citizens.

A major argument used to support immigrant voting is that immigrants are taxed and yet they are not represented. This means that they still have to pay taxes even though they are not allowed to vote. Many activists have spoken that this goes against the constitution and that it contradicts what the Declaration of Independence and the revolution of the United States’ stands for. After all “no taxation without representation.” Does it actually go against what the United States stand for? Another issue is that immigrants who have potentially lived here for years have still no say in United States government law.

One point about immigrant voting is the fact that only United States’ citizens can vote. It would be unconstitutional to allow a foreigner to vote in US decisions. It’s the same situation with legal and illegal immigrants. In addition, the immigrant might have a certain agenda for the United States. You have to consider their motivation and why they want to vote. They could encourage abstinence among illegal immigrants and drastically change United States law. Voting is a right every American citizen has. Legal and illegal immigrants are not considered American until they gain citizenship.

I personally think that it is wrong and unconstitutional to allow non-US citizens to partake in a very important act such as voting. Once the immigrants become a United States citizen, it is their civic right to vote. Some foreigners may be coming to the United States for work and better salary but then end up residing back in Mexico. If this person was allowed to vote, it would infringe on the constitution and American’s rights. By law, immigrants are only American once they are a citizen. In argument to the taxation, the immigrants are still protected by the constitution. They do have liberties and human rights. The only one is representation by voting. In addition, if they retire, they have good retirement benefits that are provided by the government. I strongly believe that legal immigrants do not have the right to vote. In the case of illegal aliens, I have a stronger belief of the case. The illegal aliens are not even here legally, defying the United States law of homeland and border protection. People who create fake identification or cross the border illegally and expect the right to vote are very hypocritical. Even for foreigners who have stayed here illegally for years have no legal right to vote.

French Revolution Evaluation

- The French Revolution up until Napoleon's exile in 1814 is hard to evaluate. It was both a success and a failure in different ways. The French revolutionaries in this time were not like the colonists in America. Some were extremists and radicals. Others were philosophers and intelligent thinkers who wanted the best for France. The revolution started out strong, but struggled at the very end of the reformation.


In the very beginning, the French modeled the American colonists by challenging the monarchy with action, staying united as a people, and then writing a delcaration and constitution. The storming of the Bastille was a very courageous and ambitious form of action. The revolutionists massacred the royal guards and ravaged the jail in pursuit of weapons and forms of defense. The National Assembly tried bringing the clergy together with the Civil Constitution of the Clergy. They had great intentions, but they had difficulty carrying out thier ideals. A man by the name of Maximillian Robespierre took the revolution too far. He was considered to be a tyrant and a murderer. This extremist beheaded 40,000 people who were "loyalists" to the king. He also executed the king as well. Robespierre also created a "you are either with us, or against us" mantra. In turn, Robespierre was assassinated due to his radical views and agenda.

In 1794, French had some success with creating the Directory. Many improvements were made to society - fairly little violence, voting rights, and many more new laws. In spite of this, Napoleon rose to power in the 179os. He overthrew the French government in 1799. Although he completely reformed France, he also conquered an extensive amount of land. He waged wars on almost every country. He is even thought to have damaged the sphinx's face in Egypt. His rule as emperor lasted eleven long years. He was exiled because he led his army through a brutal winter across Russia. 400,000 of his troops died because of the winter. His last battle lasted one hundred days and made Louis XVIII flee his own country. After Napoleon was excommunicated, monarchy reigned. This defeated the purpose of the French revolutionaries, but in 1848 (?) they elected their first president.

It was a success in regards to progress, ideals, and the enlightenment philosophy. A declaration of independence was written very early on in the French revolution, presenting the ambitions and ideals these people had. The people had representation in the National Assembly, where all the Third Estate residents joined together. In many ways, the French Revolution mirrored the colonist' revolution in America. However, the actions that would take place are way different. When you have radical extremists, only chaos erupts. Napoleon was both a reformer and a dictator. He did indeed conquered many countries, but in doing so, helped his own people and ultimately helped France. It failed when looking at the route it took. The end result was a monarchy, something the revolutionaries tried to dissolve. It made great strides philosophically, but failed to carry it on to victory.

First Post (test)

Just a test for my first post!