Honor Thy Children Essay Example for Free

Honor Thy Children Essay Overall the book Honor Thy Children by Molly Fumia was great. There were points in this book that just tugged at my heart. For example when the Nakatani’s found out that their middle son Greg was shot and killed. There were also points in this book that I felt if I had been in their position, I would be in a great deal of pain and misery and would not know how to work through all that had happened. I thought that Al and Jane were brave parents to endure the deaths of their three sons. This book by far was the most interesting non-fiction book I have read. This book would move the heart of any person that read it. The best thing about this book by far is how the parents have persevered throughout all these events that has happened to their family. From the running away of Glen, the murder of their son Greg, the finding out that their sons Glen and Guy were gay and their contraction of HIV, and also the death of them. They had to have heavy hearts after all of this happened, and yet they still go through all the HIV campaigning to show us how dangerous this disease is. A thing I did not like about this book is that there were very little happy things that happened to this family. I also thought that it was hard to keep track of the Nakatanis children because all of their names were so similar. If I were to grade this book, I would give it an A++ because this is a very good book and shows that humans have the will to push through any obstacle. Even though they have gone through all of that God did not give them a break and show them mercy. Despite their hard troubles, they pushed through all the sadness and despair and turned it around to help other people not make the same mistakes as them. This would definitely be a book I would recommend to people because there are very good life lessons in it. For instance, there is a limit to strict parenting, choosing your words correctly (Greg), and when faced with the worst of situations there is always something you can do about it. It also demonstrates that when a child is is pain and dying, parents always want to try and help to do what’s best for them, even at the expense of their own self. I think this book would be for ages 15 and up because there are things that would be hard to understand for someone of a young age. Also I feel that the person reading it should have some respect for gays, lesbians, etc. otherwise reading this book would be pointless. The book and movie were great to say the least. It taught me to accept who you are and that death is not the end. Memories can carry on and teach others how to deal with the loss of your loved ones. This book allowed me to take a glimpse into the Nakatani’s life and how they dealt with the loss and the grief that followed. Honor Thy Children taught me that no matter what life throws at you there are always ways to overcome these challenges. The thing I thought was most interesting was Guy will to go out to speak even while confined to a wheelchair. He had the courage to go out in the state he was in and speak. The person I identify most with in this story would be Greg. I identify with Greg the most because he was the middle son, a macho, speak his mind kind of person. The person I would identify least with would be Guy. I identify least with him because if I had gotten HIV and knew I was dying I would probably hate the world and seclude myself and not really try to do anything. This book did not really impact my life because even though it was a great book, it did not really apply that much to my life. I think that, because I have not had something similar happen to me, I have no gay or lesbian friends and I also do not know anyone with a serious disease. I think that the only things that would apply to me would be the Asian/Hawaiian culture, the dealing with the death of a loved one, and parenting. Their culture is exactly like mine because I am Japanese and I was born and raised in Hawaii. In our culture we are taught to respect your elders and listen to them. I also felt that the Nakatani’s dealt with the death of their sons better than I would have. When my brother and grandparents died I had a hard time and at some points I went through a period of depression that lasted a month in which I did not attend. It made me feel that I should have been a better grandchild and brother because I caused them a lot of trouble. The parenting part got to me because I was lucky that my parents, who were somewhat strict, were not as strict as the Nakatani’s. This helped me learn to appreciate my parents more.

Doing the Right Thing in Hamlet :: The Tragedy of Hamlet Essays

Doing the "Right" Thing in Hamlet      Ã‚  Ã‚   When an individual has taken a certain course of action, who is to determine whether that action taken was right or wrong? And what basis should the individual passing judgment use to decide whether that action was right or wrong? Should the individual passing judgment consider the other individual's purpose or intent in taking the action, or should he consider the resulting consequences of the other individual's actions? If the individual passing judgment were to choose to do the first of these two alternatives, he would be taking a deontological stance, as compared to the later which describes the consequentialist view. As Stephen J. Freeman explains, consequentialism is the belief that "actions and/or rules are right as long as they produce the most favorable consequences for those affected by the actions or rules" (Freeman 63). Consequentialists view the morality of a consequence in two aspects. One aspect is what is called ethical egoism. Ethical egoism is "the idea that morality is defined as acting in one's own interest and in such a way as to maximize the consequences of good over bad" (Freeman 49). In contrast to ethical egoism is utilitarianism. Utilitarianists view morality as when an action promotes the greatest balance of good over bad for all people. "Utilitarianism is a teleological, goal-directed theory emphasizing happiness as the end result of human action" (Freeman 49). In Freeman's book on ethics, he discusses Holmes' proposal of two types of teleological ethical theories that apply to these two differing consequentialist views. Holmes' proposal is that of micro and macro ethics. Micro ethics regards the happiness of the individual as the highest good and defines what is right as the action that maximizes that end. By definition, micro ethics is very similar to the belief of ethical egoism. On the other hand, macro ethics views happiness as the well-being of a group as a whole and defines what is right as the action that maximizes that end. As used here, a group can be those people of a specific city, state, nation, or race, and any particular group has "greater importance than any particular individual or subgroup within it, because its good exceeds the sum of any and all of its parts" (Freeman 49). Those in support of macro ethics would justify the sacrifice of an individual or part within the group, as long as it brings about beneficial conseque nces for the group as a whole.

Benefit of Smoking

BENEFIT OF SMOKING 1. Smoking lowers risk of knee-replacement surgery While smokers might go broke buying a pack of cigarettes, they can at least save money by avoiding knee-replacement surgery. Surprising results from a new study have revealed that men who smoke had less risk of undergoing total joint replacement surgery than those who never smoked. The study, from the University of Adelaide in Australia, appears in the July issue of the journal Arthritis & Rheumatism. What could be the connection? Knee-replacement surgery was more common among joggers and the obese smokers rarely jog and they are less likely to be morbidly obese.After controlling for age, weight and exercise, the researchers were at a loss to explain the apparent, albeit slight protective effects of smoking for osteoporosis. It could be that the nicotine in tobacco helps prevent cartilage and joint deterioration. 2. Smoking lowers risk of Parkinson's disease Numerous studies have identified the uncanny inverse rela tionship between smoking and Parkinson's disease. Long-term smokers are somehow protected against Parkinson's and its not because smokers die of other things earlier. The most recent, well-conducted study was published in a March 2010 issue of the journal Neurology.Far from determining a cause for the protective effect, these researchers found that the number of years spent smoking, more so than the number of cigarettes smoked daily, mattered more for a stronger protective effect. Harvard researchers were among the first to provide convincing evidence that smokers were less likely to develop Parkinson's. In a study published in Neurology in March 2007, these researchers found the protective effect wanes after smokers quit. And they concluded in their special scientific way that they didn't have a clue as to why. 3.Smoking lowers risk of obesity Smoking — and, in particular, the nicotine in tobacco smoke — is an appetite suppressant. This has been known for centuries, d ating back to indigenous cultures in America in the pre-Columbus era. Tobacco companies caught on by the 1920s and began targeting women with the lure that smoking would make them thinner. A study published in the July 2011 issue of the journal Physiology ; Behavior, in fact is one of many stating that the inevitable weight gain upon quitting smoking is a major barrier in getting people to stop, second only to addiction.The relationship between smoking and weight control is complex: Nicotine itself acts as both a stimulant and appetite suppressant; and the act of smoking triggers behavior modification that prompts smokers to snack less. Smoking also might make food less tasty for some smokers, further curbing appetite. As an appetite suppressant, nicotine appears to act on a part of the brain called the hypothalamus, at least in mice, as revealed in a study by Yale researchers published in the June 10, 2011 issue of the journal Science. No respectable doctor would recommend smoking for weight control, given the toxic baggage accompanying cigarettes.This recent Yale study, however, does offer an inkling of hope for a safe diet drug to help obese people control their appetites. 4. Smoking lowers risk of death after some heart attacks Compared with non-smokers, smokers who have had heart attacks seem to have lower mortality rates and more favorable responses to two kinds of therapy to remove plaque from their arteries: fibrinolytic therapy, which is basically medication; and angioplasty, which removes the plaque by inserting balloons or stents into the arteries. There's a catch, though.The reason why smokers have heart attacks is that smoke scars the arteries, allowing fat and plaque to build up in the first place. So, one theory as to why smokers do better than non-smokers after such therapies is that they are younger, experiencing their first heart attack approximately 10 years before the non-smoker. A study published in an August 2005 issue of the American Hea rt Journal, however, states that age alone is not enough to fully explain the survival differences and that â€Å"the smoker's paradox is alive and well. † No alternative theories have been put forth since. 5. Smoking helps the heart drug clopidogrel work betterClopidogrel is a drug used to inhibit blood clots for those patients suffering from coronary artery disease and other circulatory diseases leading to strokes and heart attacks. Smoking seems to help clopidogrel do its job better. A study by Korean researchers in the October 2010 issue of the journal Thrombosis Research builds upon work by Harvard researchers published in 2009 that demonstrates the benefit of smoking at least 10 cigarettes a day. It seems that something in cigarette smoke activates certain proteins called cytochromes, which convert clopidogrel into a more active state.Again, no respectable doctor is encouraging patients to start smoking to get the most out of clopidogrel. But this and the other four â⠂¬Å"benefits† of smoking reveal how tobacco — perhaps not unlike other potentially toxic plants — might contain certain chemicals of real therapeutic value. 6. Smoking Relieves Stress This is the most common thing you hear from smokers about the benefits of smoking. This is because cigarettes create a myriad of conditions that help the body deal with anxiety, stress, and depression. 7. Smoking Relaxes Your BreathingThe way you breathe when you smoke helps your body relax and calm down. For people who have panic attacks or stress problems, Doctors recommend patients practice a sort of breathing called relaxation breathing. Among other things, it involves taking a deep breath into the lungs and holding it in for a second or two before exhaling. This is exactly like the act of smoking. This kind of breathing slows your heart rate and relieves tension in your muscles, especially your neck and upper back, which tense up in stressful situations. 8. Outside Smoke Breaks Calm You DownIf you go outside for smoke breaks, this simple act can really help you deal with your stress. Say if you’re in a fight with your spouse or close to the deadline on a major project for work, leaving the house or office to step outside for a smoke break helps you deal with the stress. * You get a break from your stressor * You get into the open and fresh air * You leave the stressful environment * You have time to think about your problems from an objective point of view   * The nature and sky outside helps your mind calm down and relax 9.Nicotine is an Anxiety and Depression Medication The nicotine in cigarettes is also a major factor of stress relief. Nicotine is a chemical which mildly and temporarily stops the feelings of anxiety and depression. After an inhale of cigarette smoke, the nicotine reacts in your brain chemistry within seven seconds. Nicotine makes the brain feel better, and stops the chain reaction anxiety and depression can have within the bra in. It is no surprise that 1/3 of nicotine addicts claim to have depression or anxiety problems. Cigarettes are a great form of self medication.

Analysis Of Joyce Carol OatesWhere Are You Going, Where...

Dreams can be really realistic. â€Å"Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?† is a fictional short story by Joyce Carol Oates, in which Connie is visited by Arnold Friend in a dream. Through plot, characterization, and setting, Joyce Carol Oates successfully proves that Connie dreams the entire visitation from Arnold Friend. Joyce Carol Oates uses plot to prove that Connie dreams the entire visitation from Arnold Friend. (Introduce your quote) â€Å"I know your name and all about you, lots of things† (Oates page 4). Connie is feeling lonely in her life, and what she wants deep down most of all, is to have someone that she can open up her heart to. Arnold Friend fulfills this wish by saying, ‘I know you. You can open your heart to me’.. However,†¦show more content†¦Her mind does not know any limits while sleeping, so she creates aShow MoreRelatedAnalysis Of Joyce Carol OatesWhere Are You Going, Where Have You Been?1030 Words   |  5 PagesEve ryone goes through a stage in their life where sexuality is explored. â€Å"Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?† is a short story by Joyce Carol Oates. Throughout the story, the author develops the protagonist’s sexuality with the use of narration, plot, and characterization. The way the author portrays Connie through her third person omniscient point of view, the reader sees that Connie lives a mature life. It states that, â€Å"Connie sat with her eyes closed in the sun, dreaming and dazed Analysis Of Joyce Carol OatesWhere Are You Going, Where... Everyone goes through a stage in their life where sexuality is explored. â€Å"Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?† is a short story by Joyce Carol Oates. Throughout the story, the author develops the protagonist’s sexuality with the use of narration, plot, and characterization. The way the author portrays Connie through her third person omniscient point of view, the reader sees that Connie lives a mature life. It states that, â€Å"Connie sat with her eyes closed in the sun, dreaming and dazed with the warmth about her as if it were a kind of love, the caresses of love, and her mind slipped over onto thoughts of the boy she had been with the night before and how nice he had been, how sweet it always was† (Oates 2). Connie is†¦show more content†¦As the plot develops, so does Connie’s sexuality. When Connie and her friend group are being observed by a group of older guys, â€Å"It made them feel good to ignore them† (Oates 1). Connie feels powerful when she rejects attention from random guys. Her beauty is her power and she knows how to use it to her advantage. All that Connie needs is a bit of reassurance to make herself feel better; once she receives that she feels as though she is superior. Connie believes that she needs to be attractive to gain attention. From an outside perspective, â€Å"Connie’s description of her beauty being ‘everything’ can be interpreted to mean that she would feel worthless without it† (Holmen). She does not know her own self worth. The attention that Connie is presented with by men and other male characters validates her own personal value. Connie has become dependent on the looks that she receives to build up her self confidence. Not only is Connie’s self esteem shown with the use of narration, but the reader also learns what Connie spends her time thinking about. It is shown that, â€Å"The rest of the time Connie spent around the house- it was summer vacation- getting in her mother’s way and thinking, dreaming about the boys she met† (Oates 2). Connie thrives when she is given attention. When she is home, she does not get that attention from anywhere. To make up for it, she fantasizes about all the time she has spent with every guy prior. Connie’s actions give away herShow MoreRelatedAnalysis Of Joyce Carol OatesWhere Are You Going, Where Have You Been?836 Words   |  4 Pagescan be really realistic. â€Å"Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?† is a fictional short story by Joyce Carol Oates, in which Connie is visited by Arnold Friend in a dream. Through plot, characterization, and setting, Joyce Carol Oates successfully proves that Connie dreams the entire visitation from Arnold Friend. Joyce Carol Oates uses plot to prove that Connie dreams the entire visitation from Arnold Friend. (Introduce your quote) â€Å"I know your name and all about you, lots of things† (Oates page