In commemoration of MLK Day and the man, Dr. King himself, a radio station, (FM 98 WJLB which is 97.9 FM, a Detroit-based station) had an "event". On MLK Day they announced on the radio that they wanted to clean up the streets. No, they didn't mean that they were going to get together with brooms and dustpans. The station wanted everyone to come to a location and bring all their guns. Your thinking this is crazy, aren't you. "Cleaning up" the streets meant trying to lower the crime rate. Of course, no one is going to give up their gun on MLK Day for nothing. The station however offered a $50 gift certificate (I can't recall to where) to each person for how many guns they brought in. I have some points I would like to share regarding this "event".
First off, I think that this was a dumb idea. Just think about it. People in Detroit don't own guns because they are going out hunting. These guys use them to kill people! Maybe they call it self defense, but honestly, these guns are for ending arguments or fights. They think it's a legit way, and it's practically normal for all of them. So instead of letting the spread of killings, why don't we bring all the bad guys with guns to one small location and have them turn them in, for some cash! Great idea!
My second thought of this and why this is a bad idea is because of the money. Most handguns (I think) can be bought for less than $50. Meaning, some guy could go out, buy a cheap gun for $30, turn it in, and then take the money he made and buy an even better gun. Or someone could take the money by giving up a gun, and assuming he has more than one, go out and buy drugs. Of course the argument is that it doesn't matter what he does with the money, all that does matter is one less gun is off the streets.
My third and final thought on why this was a bad idea is because now that these guys with guns see that their buddies are turning in theirs, they now know who to target, or who is being a "good guy". Part of being cool in the hood is having money, a nice ride, and maybe a gun. When you see your "brother" giving up his gun, you know that he is "out". Also, if someone sees a guy giving up a gun, you become more suspicious of him and might want to watch him more closely, or, like they say in the mafia, "take care of him".
All in all, this "event" was definitely in good intention of "cleaning up" the streets of Detroit, so I'm hoping that none of those guys who turned in their guns thought of all this before hand.
Sunday, January 20, 2008
Monday, January 14, 2008
First Blog: Welcome
First off, I would like you welcome the newbies to Ms. Linden's class. For those of who did not have Ms. Linden for 1st semester, I greatly feel bad for you. You all have a lot to make up, so I suggest you enjoy every last minute in her class, and if you don't want to, you will probably end up having a blast anyways, because, she is just that sweet.
Since it is the first blog of the year, there honestly isn't much to talk about except for what's on my mind and the minds of Americans...across America. The basic laws and rights of us citizens is always floating around in our heads and being Americans, we always want more, and we always want it fair and right! Some topics floating around today can be the age limits for drinking, driving, but hopefully not together; or the age to vote or the age for the army.
Are these ages really fair? Did the person who made this law think of all those thirsty party hard teens that need something to drink? Did that person think of those knowledge-thirsty teens who want to become more powerful in the world and vote? I guess not, because the age limits now-a-days are pretty high. Even getting into a decent movie these days in impossible, because you would have to take your mom, and then it's not funny, or pretty.
What I'm here to talk about to you today; briefly, is these ages, and disguise maybe an alternate age, and I ask if I think this is reasonable. Feel free to flood the comments, because I know you all will =).
Driving age - 16 years
Voting age - 18 years
Drinking age - 21 years
My first argument, which is going out of order, is the voting age. Hopefully when you are at the age of 18, you will be an upper class man in high school or almost graduating. THAT'S THE PROBLEM!!! As you can see, I am learning about the Presidents and government NOW, and I have a bit before high school! Not when I'm slacking off in 11th/12th grade! I think that the voting age should be way down, to maybe 16 or 17. Us young students are in our prime now, and when we want to learn about our country and what rights we have to control it, that's when we have the most knowledge of it and when we want to vote.
The second issue which has come to my attention is drinking. I promise to all of you, I have drunk a cup of beer total in my lifetime career. I don't drink, and I will put that out there, so why should I mind the age? I promise to all of you I won't become some heavy drinker at the age of 21, so I have no reason to argue this. I was once listening on the radio though, and they were letting people call in and give their opinion on whether the age should be risen or lowered, and one person called in, saying: "The drinking age should be lowered to 16 because then the teen (or new driver) knows how it feels to be intoxicated or under the influence and hopefully when they get behind the wheel, they will remember that and not drink and drive. I thought that this was a good comment, and I'll let it up to you to decide what you think of this.
My last argument, driving age, will not be argued. I believe that this is a good, ripe age. It's the time when the mind and body is hungry for freedom from carpooling or having your embarrassing mother drive you to school everyday. The teen's mind is always open to learning new things, especially driving, because fort once in your life you get to do something on your own! Sheesh! This age is perfect, but some may think it's on the young side. Before I took driver's training, I thought I was going to be too young, seeing my sister driving around...oy vey... But after I took it, I realized driving is a breeze and the time to drive is now!
Haha, I sound like a campaigning president with that last sentence.
I am Eitan Mendelson, and I approve this blog, (and I hope I get your vote...) I realized that that part is new to the end of those commercials, correct me if I'm wrong.
Since it is the first blog of the year, there honestly isn't much to talk about except for what's on my mind and the minds of Americans...across America. The basic laws and rights of us citizens is always floating around in our heads and being Americans, we always want more, and we always want it fair and right! Some topics floating around today can be the age limits for drinking, driving, but hopefully not together; or the age to vote or the age for the army.
Are these ages really fair? Did the person who made this law think of all those thirsty party hard teens that need something to drink? Did that person think of those knowledge-thirsty teens who want to become more powerful in the world and vote? I guess not, because the age limits now-a-days are pretty high. Even getting into a decent movie these days in impossible, because you would have to take your mom, and then it's not funny, or pretty.
What I'm here to talk about to you today; briefly, is these ages, and disguise maybe an alternate age, and I ask if I think this is reasonable. Feel free to flood the comments, because I know you all will =).
Driving age - 16 years
Voting age - 18 years
Drinking age - 21 years
My first argument, which is going out of order, is the voting age. Hopefully when you are at the age of 18, you will be an upper class man in high school or almost graduating. THAT'S THE PROBLEM!!! As you can see, I am learning about the Presidents and government NOW, and I have a bit before high school! Not when I'm slacking off in 11th/12th grade! I think that the voting age should be way down, to maybe 16 or 17. Us young students are in our prime now, and when we want to learn about our country and what rights we have to control it, that's when we have the most knowledge of it and when we want to vote.
The second issue which has come to my attention is drinking. I promise to all of you, I have drunk a cup of beer total in my lifetime career. I don't drink, and I will put that out there, so why should I mind the age? I promise to all of you I won't become some heavy drinker at the age of 21, so I have no reason to argue this. I was once listening on the radio though, and they were letting people call in and give their opinion on whether the age should be risen or lowered, and one person called in, saying: "The drinking age should be lowered to 16 because then the teen (or new driver) knows how it feels to be intoxicated or under the influence and hopefully when they get behind the wheel, they will remember that and not drink and drive. I thought that this was a good comment, and I'll let it up to you to decide what you think of this.
My last argument, driving age, will not be argued. I believe that this is a good, ripe age. It's the time when the mind and body is hungry for freedom from carpooling or having your embarrassing mother drive you to school everyday. The teen's mind is always open to learning new things, especially driving, because fort once in your life you get to do something on your own! Sheesh! This age is perfect, but some may think it's on the young side. Before I took driver's training, I thought I was going to be too young, seeing my sister driving around...oy vey... But after I took it, I realized driving is a breeze and the time to drive is now!
Haha, I sound like a campaigning president with that last sentence.
I am Eitan Mendelson, and I approve this blog, (and I hope I get your vote...) I realized that that part is new to the end of those commercials, correct me if I'm wrong.
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