Florida at center of Supreme Court ban on juvenile life sentences:Carol Marbin Miller

http://www.miamiherald.com/2010/05/17/v-fullstory/1634373/florida-a-focus-of-a-ban-on-juvenile.html

The state of Florida has been the center of attention for the U.S. Supreme Court recently. The high court just banned "the sentencing of teenagers to life without parole for crimes other than murder" this past Monday (Miller). The decision to change the law was due to the court deciding that jailing a juvenile for life when they did not commit murder is cruel and unusual punishment. The Supreme Court and some others believe that the ruling is fair because some teens did not grow fully mature until they are adults therefore should not be punished with a sentence that is not proportionate with the intensity of the crime. The judicial system in Florida believes that some teenagers who commit crimes other than murder should still be put in jail for life. This is not very often that a state hands out a life sentence with no parole to a teenager who did not commit a crime. "Judges in only 10 states have ever imposed such a sentence---and in three states, only once" (Annino qtd. in Miller).

The author's opinion in the paper is effectively supported with data from Florida State University professors, attorney's opinions, and Supreme Court justices. The data from FSU shows how cruel punishment for non-homicidal crimes against teenagers were very prevalent compared to many other states. Information from attorneys show that even with their knowledge of the law, it was clear that some of the life sentences were not fair compared to the intensity of the crime. To show how the author's opinion was supported, Miller used quotes from Supreme Court justices that agreed with her opinion to ban life sentences handed to teenagers that committed a non-homicidal crime. With quotes from the Supreme Court backing the author's case, it is very clear that this article is persuasive and sends the message to the reader clearly.

This article angered me that young teenagers that did not have mature mindsets at such a young age were thrown in jail for such a long time for committing a crime less than murder. A young man named Joe Sullivan was convicted of rape at the age of 13 and was sentenced to life without parole! This is not a fair sentence to a boy who was in the middle of his adolescence and would not know the complete seriousness of raping another individual. This just isn't fair, at the age of 13 I still thought girls had "cooties" so tell me how this young boy knew exactly what he was doing to the individual and know the severe consequences. I think this issue was very interesting and quite controversial because not many people that have committed non-homicidal crimes at any age should be given a life sentence! The evidence that was jammed in the article only shows how strong and opinionated this case was, which makes it very interesting for readers.

Racism in America

This image is just what is wrong with Americans in the present and from the past! The Caucasian race in America has always been very close-minded and racist without ever giving anyone a shot to show what they can do. This picture of this white woman from the 1950s shows a woman counting out EVERY Japanese- American, and discriminating against ALL without even knowing them. The woman is labeling the neighborhood as a white man's neighborhood and she isn't even a man. This goes to show that she doesn't care if she's still being mistreated by the white men but as long as there aren't any Japanese people in the neighborhood, she is happy.

There are no two sides to this picture. There are many races that are also indirectly affected by this photo. Along with the Japanese fearing for their lives other races such as the African-American, Jewish, Chinese, etc are also terrified and offended by this crude photo. The white side of this photo believes it is good to scare the other people and automatically label them as bad people. While all the other races are offended and upset because it goes to show that even with the help of all these races in creating America the powerhouse of the world, these rude people still don't give them the respect these races deserve.

This photo is very effective in scaring off the Japanese as well as other races. The Japanese were scared to live in that neighborhood because of the threat of death or mistreatment by the other racist white people in the neighborhood. The other races were also terrified because it is obvious that the woman in the photo has no respect for any race other than the white race. It is also effective because in the bottom it helps show that racist people do racist acts to offend and scare others.

This photo crossed the line for labeling ALL Japanese people as terrorists and bad people. It is not fair to those innocent Japanese that just want to live a happy peaceful life and stay out of trouble. With racist white people like this woman, it is very hard to live a peaceful life and stay out of trouble with racist groups like the Ku Klux Klan, that terrorize minorities all over the world. Many Japanese people helped America expand westward and helped establish new towns and cities to help America grow and prosper. That is why this photo is controversial and ignorant!

Illegal Immigrant Website

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/03/16/AR2010031604217.html

My article is about a proposed bill by Republican state officials in Arizona which the author thinks is unfair. The bill was proposed to reduce the number of illegal immigrants in the state by empowering every police department in the state with the ability to arrest people they suspect are without legal documentation.

I think this website is very valuable and credible for many reasons. The article has produced 139 comments which shows it is valuable to a large population and is a healthy way to express people's opinions. The Washington Post is a highly respected source around the globe which makes any article published on their website, credible. The article also uses evidence to support its claims and creates a sense of accuracy for its readers. The article was published on March 17, 2010 which makes the source current and shows the credibility of the article.

However the source can be viewed as biased. The article is heavily swayed in the author's opinion of pro-immigration. Even with the author being biased the information is still valuable as shown in the amount of comments. All of these comments help generate more information and opinion that is passed around which can assist me in writing my paper. It is also still credible because even with the biased information it is all supported and was even allowed to be published on The Washington Post's website. This article is relevant to my topic because it provides me with a solution and an example of the proposed idea.

Illegal Immigrants Thesis Statement

Illegal Immigrants should be held responsible for some of our nation’s economic downturn and increase in criminal activity. In order to reduce the negative effects illegal immigrants have on American society, our borders need heightened security and swift action should be taken when these immigrants are found.

Paris Hilton, you have been voted off the island!

Paris Hilton is not role model material at all. Paris only became a celebrity because of her childish acts. She has nothing to offer to young kids who look up to her, she has no job, no brains, and no maturity. Paris mooches off of her mom and dad who own the Hilton hotel chain. Her laziness and child like maturity has left her with no job and no future. She has made a sex tape which degrades herself as well as other women and it shows her lack of respect for herself. Paris is always seen in clubs using drugs and alcohol and making obscene sexual gestures which doesn't help her case for being a role model. There have been photos released that have genitalia exposed to the whole world. She has shown no sign of slowing down or maturing, she was sent to jail in May of 2007, for 45 days because of a probation violation. Paris was put on probation for reckless and drunk driving.

Paris doesn't deserve the fame and money she has because she does NOTHING to deserve it! She has no talent and has no reason for any child to look up to her. She just exuberates with dumbness and what is wrong in America. Americans support these kinds of acts and make it seem positive for our youth. All of her acts and what is portrayed in the media teaches people in society to be lazy and you will get what you want.

Notecard Topics

College Costs
The price to receive higher education has become ridiculously expensive. With the economy today, it is very difficult to find a well paying job without a college degree. However, many teens and their family are already struggling to just put food on the table let alone thinking about sending their daughter or son to college. This makes it extremely hard for him/her to become successful and send their future children to college.

Abortion
I am pro-choice. I believe taking the life of the child in its best interest is okay. But if done for another reason like laziness then i disagree. It is only acceptable if the mother and father agree that by having the baby will prevent the baby from having a complete, enjoyable life.

Illegal Immigrants
Over-crowding is a major disadvantage and is the main reason for those who don't like these illegal immigrants. It causes excessive use of our nation's resources which can lead to many problems. For instance, in L.A. county/city schools are in major debt and are over populated which is a big strain on the Californian government's economy.

Gun control
Gun companies are only concerned with their money. They have no concern for the consumer's or public safety. They don't have sufficient background checks which allows the mentally unstable or criminals to easily attain a deadly weapon. The guns they produce and sell to "everyday joes" are unnecessary. The sub machine guns and assault firearms have no use for everyday life. The only guns that civilians should be able to purchase are basic handguns or rifles.

Runaway Jury Hypothesis

The case in the movie is between the gun corporation and Dustin Hoffman, who is defending a woman whose husband was killed by a gun wound. I think that Dustin Hoffman is going to win because usually the good guy wins in movies. The movie makes him out to be the good guy because when offered to buy the jury he immediately denies it. He seems to have good morals and is against huge gun corporations that have become very corrupt and sell guns illegally. Also, he seems like the under dog and in most movies I have seen, the under dog wins.

I don't think that the gun corporation will win because they hired a guy named Rankin Fitch to assure that the case will go in their favor. Rankin is displayed as a cunning and coniving guy. He illegally filled the court room with electronic devices so him and his staff could closely hear and see what is occuring in the room. Since he doesn't seem to mind commiting illegal acts and is backed by billion dollar gun corporations, he seems very prone to buying the jury so the court rules in his favor.

Mr.Krabs

My life is closely related to Mr.Krabs from the show SpongeBob Squarepants because we share similar life situations and attitudes. In the show, Mr.Krabs has a very controlling and possessive single mother. I also have a single mother that struggles with letting go and sharing me with others. Another similarity is how we value money. Although I am not as stingy as Mr.Krabs, I still value money very highly since I work hard for the money I have.

One difference between Mr.Krabs and I is our appearance. Mr.Krabs is a crab who lives under the sea. He wears business attire every day and no shoes. He is also very short in height and over weight. I am a human that lives on land that normally wear shoes and casual clothing. We are similar in appearance because we are both male. Mr.Krabs also have large claws and thin crab legs. I have big hands and skinny legs as well.

I Can Accept Failure, Everyone Fails at Something. But I Cant't Accept Not Trying

I have come across many challenges throughout my life and have seen them end in failure. I realized that in order to become successful in anything I do, I must meet some hardships. A quote that encompasses my philosophy of life was stated by my role model, Michael Jordan, who experienced much adversity himself. He stated, “I can accept failure, everyone fails at something. But I can’t accept not trying.”
Lack of hard work upsets me deeply; it reminds me of my high school soccer team last year. After ending the regular season with a losing record of 5-6-2. My team and I made a commitment after our last regular season game to put in extra time practicing. We focused completely on the team concept, which was to give everything in our heart to reach our goal of a state championship. With this new approach to winning engraved in our minds, we stormed through the playoffs and ended up as the new state champions.
What I gained from my soccer team’s state championship is that effort is the key to avoiding failure, the one thing no one likes to go through. This experience showed me that I will not always succeed in what I do, however if I do not try, I will never give myself the chance of reaching my goal. This is encapsulated in Michael Jordan’s statement about accepting failure and putting forth effort when trying to become successful in life.