Patriotism:
Wave That Flag
Mailer Blog

Patriotism and how Americans display it are as diverse as ice cream flavors at Baskin Robins. In Norman Mailers book Why Are We at War the act of celebrating patriotism is explored. Mailer believes that all of the flag waiving and celebrating clouds Americans views of faults that exists in our society. In Mailer’s world there is not room for arrogance about the United States. I feel that I can wave the American Flag and be critical of the injustices I see.

Mailer compares American’s patriotism to that of the British. The British take a dry approach to their patriotism. Brit’s enjoy making jokes about their country and leadership. Comparing Americans and British approach to patriotism is not a fair assessment. The British have a dry sense of humor and look at life that way. American’s approach patriotism with zeal and emotion. Both responses to patriotism are appropriate and necessary for the health of a nation.

Mailer suggests that the British approach to patriotism is better than the approach used by Americans. I disagree with his opinion on this matter. Mailer believes that our patriotism is spawn out of arrogance and is self serving. Mailer believes we cannot be critical of our country and its leaders if we have an inflated view point of our country. I have a different viewpoint on this subject. When looking at our country as a whole, pride wells up deep inside me. I get excited about what our country has accomplished and where we are as a nation. I do not look at our leaders and government with rose colored glasses. I believe that our country and our leadership can be viewed through different eyes. Our leadership changes on a regular basis. I judge their action by the standards that I set for myself. The fact that I am patriotic has nothing to do with the way I judge our leadership.

I am an American and I am proud of it. My patriotism for the Red, White, and Blue is reflected in the way I judge the leadership of our Country. I have deep convictions that I need to be involved in making this Country better. We have serious problems in this Country that can only be solved by everyone becoming involved. The great thing about America and our form of Government is that we all are free to have an opinion and be passionate about it.

Character’s Character;
The Making of a Villain
The Alligator River Story

Defining good and evil in literature use to be an easy task. The Alligator River Story is a good example of modern literature where all of the characters’ have questionable traits. Each character in The Alligator River Story has a character flaw that enhances the stories plot. Judging each character’s actions objectively can be challenging because of the prejudice that many have. This blog is an attempt to assess each character in this story.

Abigail has a dilemma, sleep with Sinbad and be with Gregory or reject Sinbad and live without Gregory. I find her decision be appalling. Sleeping with Sinbad left her with the result did not want: to live a life without Gregory. In the first sentence of the second paragraph an interesting word was use to describe here actions with Sinbad. It was concupiscence. This word means to do with lust or desire. The use of this word gives a view of Abigail that we might miss. Abigail knew and enjoyed what she had done. Her true character came out in the later part of the story when she reveled in the fact that Gregory was “getting his due.” I would rate Abigail’s actions a five.

Gregory, in this story, was the man scorned. The only fault that I see in Gregory’s action is he did not attempt to cross the river himself. I guess chivalry is dead. Gregory made no attempt to see his lover. Gregory’s distain for Abigail’s actions shows that he did not love her as much as she loved him. Gregory’s inaction, by not attempting to see Abigail, earns him a two.
Sinbad, the boat captain, is the easiest to rate in this story. He is an opportunist who too advantage of the situation. I fell that most people would consider his actions reprehensible. People like Sinbad are boils on the butt of Society. I rate Sinbad a five.

Ivan’s answer to Abigail’s request helps to provide more meaning to the story. Ivan, a friend, did not want to get involved. Why. If Ivan loved Abigail his action would be very clear. Ivan could have thought that Gregory was not good for Abigail. No matter how you judge his actions I feel he was looking out for Abigail’s best interest. I rate Ivan a one.

Slug must be Alligator Rivers' bully. Abigail knew full well what would happen when she told Slug her tale of woe. Slug did exactly what he was programmed to do. Slug’s actions could also have been based on a desire to be with Abigail. Slug’s actions were wrong and illegal. I rate Slug a five.

The Alligator River Story has very interesting characters. Some of the characters I can empathies with others I despise. The rating of each character can make an interesting debate for anyone.

Human Rights v. Majority Rules

It’s My Right:
Other Opinions Do Matter
Prompt: Human Rights v. Majority Rules

In a world that tends to be self-serving, a dilemma arises when our rights clash with someone’s else’s. We seek out like-minded groups of people in order to form collations that will promote our perceived rights. We stand on our walls ready to defend these rights at all cost. We yell with fervor that I am in the majority, therefore I am right. Our nation needs to find ways to live together even when we do not agree. If we deal with each other in love then we have a common ground for dialogue.

My Christian background many times comes in direct conflict with the perceived rights of others. As a Christian I believe homosexuality is wrong. I find that many Americans support my opinion. I also know in the last five years the homophobic perception is changing. Social change is even happening within some Christian denominations. I have to ask myself where do others peoples rights end and mine begin? Is my opinion any less right?

As a Christian I must go back to the Bible and find answers to questions like these. In Matthew 22:37-39 (NIV) it instructs us to "37Jesus replied: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.'[a] 38This is the first and greatest commandment. 39And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'[b]." This tells me that I am to love everyone. It should not matter about race, sexual preference or an opinion that I do not agree with. This concept is hard for many people because they look at someone’s actions as defining them. I might not like what someone does, what a Christian would call sin, but I must love that person.

As long as our society promotes the idea of selfishness we will continue you to struggle with the human rights Vs majority rules question. The God that I serve gives people a choice. Right and wrong is defined but it is up to individual to follow or not to follow. I am commanded to live my life a certain way while inviting others experience Gods plan and purpose for their life. In the movie "The American President" the president was giving a speech and said, " Democracy is defending someone’s right to say what you would spend a lifetime speaking out against." If I am living what I believe then whether I am in the majority or not I should be mindful of everyone’s opinion.

Right Or Wrong

Right 0r Wrong:
A Line Becomes Skewed

Has the line between right and wrong become skewed or erased all together? Has our society’s search for political correctness and social tolerance watered down our ability to make judgements on right and wrong? Is it easier to "live and let live" or to take a stand and say that something is wrong? Are we a society that is becoming "moral relativist" or will we stand up and fight injustice when we see it?

In my lifetime I have witnessed a shift in the way right and wrong has been perceived. As a young boy I watched as a nation was torn apart by race riots. Both sides claimed to be right but each had totally different viewpoints on the argument. I was raised in a home where prejudice was not tolerated. Now, years later, hate crime legislation and other measures have dictated what is right and wrong. Even though there has been a shift in the paradigm about race prejudice still exists. The question needs to be asked then; does a law dictate what is right or wrong?

In growing older and becoming a Christian, I have realized that I am an "absolutist". I believe and live by a set of standards set forth in the Bible. In 2 Timothy 3:16 (New American Standard Bible) 16(A) "All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness." This is a scripture that has molded my ideas on right and wrong. I do not feel that I can address this subject without making this point very clear. I will go so far as to say I am a "moral absolutist" and believe that there is a clear line between right and wrong. I have a definite guideline for determining right and wrong in my life. In my life it is the Bible and the life of Jesus Christ.

In "Power to Change" the question was raised about moral absolutes. A relativist might say that there is no such thing as a moral absolute. They would claim that what is good for one person may not be good for another. They would say that there is no absolute. Unfortunately their thinking is flawed because the previous statement is an absolute. So, ergo, they do exist. I leave this question to be pondered by all. What do you want to be said about the way you lived your life, when someone gives your eulogy?

PERCEPTION

PERCEPTION:

Blessing Or Curse

In reading Gorgias’ and Scorates’ writings on perception, I begin to see its’ meaning and application in a whole new light. The fact that they believe that outside influences mold and shape our perception of the world is not only revealing but also explains the way people in our society react to each other. In doing research I have found that others share the same viewpoint as these two men and it surprised me to find that there is a whole field of study devoted to Perception.

Wikipedia’s definition of perception is "the process of acquiring, interpreting, selecting, and organizing sensory information". If perception is organizing sensory information, then what do we base the organization of that information on? Gestalt (Gestalt Theory of the Berlin School) was one of the first people to study perception as a discipline. He said that perception is like a soap bubble. Its’ spherical shape is not based on mathematical formula or design but on the pressure put on all sides by outside forces. Gestalt, to me, brings a clearer picture of what perception really is. These outer forces have come to bear on my life and have served to shape my character and mold who I am.

As a child growing up, I was raised in a Christian home, and my values and belief system were based on the teachings of the Bible. As I have gotten older, these beliefs have become stronger and in many ways, identify me. For me, faith is not about perception but about reality. I try to live my life by the teachings of the Bible but I have to admit that my perceptions are formed through these beliefs. Many people in society say these beliefs are biased and prejudiced, and from their perspective, they might be. I believe in the absolute truth of Jesus Christ and the Bible. Therefore, my perceptions on all subjects are filtered by these beliefs.

Because my father was in construction, I was always around various cultural groups. As a result of this, I was not insulated from interaction with children from different backgrounds. Many of my friends did not share my viewpoints on various ethnic groups. I soon learned that our parents were really the ones shaping our belief systems. Those who influenced me shaped my character and morals the most. In other words, my environment dictated my perception.
Gorgias, Scorates and Gestalt seem to be correct about perception. Examining the lives of the people that we are around every day can prove their assessment that there is no objective perception. We make judgments on current events, people we meet, and our government based on those forces that have impacted our lives as we have grown. I feel the secret to using your perception in a positive manner is to temper that perception with love. Tempering our perceptions with the knowledge that other opinions exist would serve us well.

Everything You Always wanted To Know (About Me)

My name is Glenn Wise and I am from Byron Georgia. I am married with three children and four wonderful grandchildren. I am returning to college after a twenty seven year layoff.
I am excited about starting back to college and I chose English as my first course. When I took the course I thought I was easing back into college life slowly. I understand now that will not be the case.
I believe in Jesus Christ and alot of the viewpoints that I will share in class will come from that belief. I am looking forward to the disscussions we will have in class.