News Article

Honor killings?

Summary:

In 2009 an Afghan family was convicted of four counts of first-degree murders of three teenage girls and a middle aged woman. This Afghan family moved to Canada two years before the killings, in June 2007. Mr. Shafia claimed that the girls disgraced the family by dating and wearing revealing clothes. The prosecutors described these killings as honor killings. Mr.Shafia, the father, and his wife, Ms. Yahya, along with their son Hamed killed the three teenage girls and Mr.Shafia’s other wife, Rona Amir Mohammad. One of the girls was so frightened by Mr. Shafia that she actually called the police and asked if she could be placed in foster care along with her sisters. This effort, however, was unsuccessful. Mr.Shafia’s plan was to kill the three teenagers and his wife, and make it look like an auto-accident. Justice Robert L. said that Mr. Shafia’s twisted concept of honor made him kill four innocent people. He also said that Mr. Shafia’s notion of honor is founded upon the domination and control of women.

Response:

This news is really shocking. I never thought that a father or a mother would gie death as a punishment to their children. Honor killing? Really? I always though that honor killing are only conducted when both parties agree, and in this case the girls didn’t want to die. This is no honor killing, it is murder. Things like this makes the world look down on Muslims. Muslims are making their own faces black. When they are in Canada, or any other country which has a totally different culture they need to respect that. I am not suggesting that they change completely, I am simply saying that some of the things that are okay in maybe Iran, are definitely not okay in countries like Canada. Mr. Shafia deserves to die. He violated every law of Canada. What he did should actually not be allowed anywhere, let it be India, Iran or Afghanistan. It is irritating to read news like this, because this news is uncivilized, and unacceptable. Everybody knows that, but still we have to debate it. Why? It is about time we stop talking and take some really serious action, because talking is clearly just wasting time.  

Vocab:

1. Heinous

• “It is difficult to conceive of a more despicable, more heinous, more despicable, more honorless crime.”
• Definition/Origin: Utterly odious or wicked. Originated from Old French word Haineous.
• Sentence: Fortunately there was no heinous crime ever reported in Woodstock school.

 2. Parole

• “Under Canadian law, first-degree murder carries a compulsory sentence of life in prison, with no chance of parole for the first 25 years.”
• Definition/Origin: The temporary or permanent release of a prisoner before the expiry of a sentence, on the promise of good behavior. Originated from originated from the French parole meaning “voice”, “spoken word”.
• Sentence: Wonder if Woodstock would appoint anybody out on parole as staff!

3. Affluent

• “The victims belonged to a family of Afghans who had moved to Canada two years before the crime, in June 2007, under a program for affluent immigrants.”
• Definition/Origin: wealthy. Originated from Latin word affluentem, meaning flow towards.
• Sentence: Most of the students in Woodstock come from affluent backgrounds. 

Personal essay

218. What super power you would choose

I always wondered what it would be like to read people’s minds, hence if I had to choose a superpower I would choose to control people’s minds. Ever since I watched twilight I always wondered how Edward felt when he was reading other people’s minds. Is he reading some sort of a script or does he just know, somehow, what the person is going to do next. It is really fascinating to me. There are so many other superpowers that people can choose from, however, this one seemed the most beneficial to me. A person with this super power can do almost anything. My super power can do more than Edward’s. My super power gives me the control of any human being or any other animal’s brain. I can change their memories, I can erase their memories, I can create new memories. I can do anything with their brains. I have full control of anyone’s brain. This is gives me a lot of power.

With this super power I can do anything I want. I can make myself the most successful person in the world. I can be richer than Bill Gates if I wanted. This is the ultimate super power. I love having the control. I am a total control freak. I hate surprises. With this super power no one will ever be able to surprise me. Surprises are stupid because it is really risky. What if I don’t like the surprise? All the efforts the other person put into the surprise will be of a waste. Everyone hates bad surprises. I am never mentally prepared for a bad surprise which is another reason why I hate surprises. This super power is perfect for my personality. It is above all the other super powers. Everyone will be under threat if I had this super power

News Article

Pakistani citizens enraged by TV show

Summary:

Pakistan is a fairly free and secular country compared to other Islamic countries such as Iran and Saudi Arabia. This is proven by the recent incident that took place in Islamabad where a television show crossed the line and enraged the citizens of Pakistan. A group of 15 women were searching a park in Karachi for dating couples who were engaged in immoral behavior. They were literally running after them in the park along with the camera man hurrying behind them. They asked couples questions which they had prepared before hand. Some of these questions were like “What were they doing”, “did their parents know”, “Were they engaged”. Many couples were shocked and tried to avoid answering any questions. One of the couples was married, but Maya Khan, the host, harshly asked them where their marriage certificate was. Four local Non-governmental organizations are filing a civil suit against Samaa TV in Pakistan’s Supreme Court.

Response:

My reaction to this then and now still is: Who the hell do these women thing they are? They have absolutely no right to intrude in other people’s business like that. The media cannot abuse their power and interfere in other people’s private life. That is against all law. This really crossed the line, and I completely understand the fury of the citizens of Pakistan. If I was with my boyfriend in that park, and if someone came up to me and asked me these funny questions I would insult them completely in their own show. I would be really pissed off. I probably would have thrown a shoe at them or something if they asked me a really personal question. Everyone is equal under the law. The media shouldn’t get special treatment. Why is it so hard for some people to accept change? I was angry to hear about this, but I was happy to hear that the people in Pakistan felt the same way about this as me. People should start accepting change because change can be good. I always wanted to see all the muslim countries slowly become a little secular but when people who don’t like change come in between, I get mad. 

Vocab:

1. Vigilantes:

• “Images of moral vigilantes prowling the streets have an ominous resonance in Pakistan, where many still recall the dark days of the Islamist dictator Gen.”
• Definition/Origin: One who takes or advocates the taking of law enforcement into one's own hands. Originated from Latin vigilārem meaning to keep watch

• Sentence:  The teachers at Woodstock School also are the social vigilantes keeping watch on the student community.

2. Resonance:

• “Images of moral vigilantes prowling the streets have an ominous resonance in Pakistan, where many still recall the dark days of the Islamist dictator Gen.”
• Definition/Origin: Having the character of a loud deep sound. Originated from Latin resonāre, meaning to resound.

• Sentence: The resonance of joy and cheer of Woodstock students is felt in every nook and corner even during vacation.

3. Voyeuristic:

• “But others have veered into territory that could be described as Pakistan’s answer to Jerry Springer — voyeuristic, mawkish and intrusive.”
• Definition/Origin: of, pertaining to, or characteristic of a voyeur  or of voyeurism. Originated from Latin vidre, meaning to see.

• Sentence: The girls of Woodstock know how to deal with voyeurs sometimes roaming in the buzzar. 

Personal essay

229. Three wishes

I have a lot of wishes, hence it is hard for me to pick only three. My first wish would be to have another five wishes. If that is not allowed then my first wish is to eat as much as I can without ever getting fat. I love food. I live to eat all kinds of yummy and tasty food. The kind of food that is extremely fatty is my favorite; therefore it is really hard for me to be in shape. I am also very lazy, which makes this even more difficult for me. I am not very sporty because of the same reason.

My second wish would be to be really smart. If I am smart then I wouldn’t have to work that hard, because I can always think of the easy way out and still get the job done. When you have the brains one can do anything. I always wished that I would some day become a really successful and rich lawyer. My second wish fulfills my other two wishes. It is a good wish according to me. This way if I become really rich, I can donate a lot of money to poor and needy people in India.

My last wish would be to make sure that my loved ones are always safe and happy. It is reassuring to me when I know that everyone I love is happy and safe at all times. It gives me support, especially when I am away from home. I feel quite homesick when I am away from home and so knowing that everyone is happy back home makes me feel better. Although I still really wish that I have three more wishes, because I am never satisfied with what I have. I have almost always wanted more.

News Article

Tibet - china tension

Summary

The most recent news about Tibet is not very pleasant. On Monday security forces open fired on Tibetans in western china. According to Tibetan rights group and the Tibetan exile government thirty were wounded and at least one was killed. This is also said to be the largest violent clash in the ethnic Tibetan areas of China since 2008. Internet access in that area was cut off to slow down the spread of the information. This was the second firing at Tibetans; the previous one was on January 14 in Aba, also located in the Sichuan province. Seventeen Tibetans have set themselves on fire since last March 16. Tibetans with gunshot wounds are scared to go the hospitals because they might have to face questioning or retaliation by the authorities. The cause of the protest may have been that the Tibetans demanding the release of detainees who were distributing leaflets which called for Tibet’s freedom. Or the protest could also be part of the local boycott against the Chinese celebrations of the lunar New Year. The Chinese have stopped all visitors from entering the country during the Tibetan New Year as they suspect that the scenario might get violent.

Response

This issue has been carrying on since forever. Why can’t the rest of the world do something about it? This was my first response. After research I realized that if any other country with power, like USA especially, will have economic trouble later with china. This economic trouble will be a big one. In Ken Keseys novel One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, the same thing happens to McMurphy as the Tibetans. If someone tries to stand up and challenge the system they are put down. The Tibetans have been challenging the Chinese government for a long time now, and the result is this. The protestors were put down for going against the system. Even though it is hard for other countries to do anything about this situation I still feel that they can make a few agreements. The Chinese refused to listen to the Tibetans and any agreement they have made has been broken. Hopefully this issue is resolved fast. 

Vocab

1. Aggrieved:

• “The Tibetan Parliament is deeply aggrieved by the incidents and condemns the Chinese authorities for resorting to such drastic acts of force and repression.”
• Definition/Origin: feeling resentment at having been treated unjustly. Originated from Middle English word agreven meaning to make heavy or worsen. 
• Sentence: Woodstock students are deeply aggrieved by the management’s callous attitude in not taking interest about the quality of our food.

2. Dissemination:

• “Internet access to the area was cut off by the authorities, apparently to slow the dissemination of information.”
• Definition/Origin: To spread abroad; promulgate. Originated from latin word dissminre

• Sentence: In Woodstock, especially amongst the girls, dissemination of information is very fast.

 3. Leery:

• “People in China wounded by gunshots are often leery of going to hospitals, fearing that they will face questioning and possibly retaliation by the authorities”
• Definition/Origin: Suspicious or distrustful. Originated from Middle English leor.

• Sentence: Woodstock school students are really leery of what the school does with all the money the students pay as fees.

Personal essay

250. If animals could talk, what would your pet say about you?

I pamper my pet a lot. Oreo, my pet dog, loves me. If he could talk he would say that I am the most caring person in the entire family. I hardly ever hit my dog. I only hit him when he really crosses the limit, and that too is a slight pat on his back. My dog is supposed to not eat any meat, because my dad said so. He is a vegetarian. What my dad doesn’t know is that Oreo has already eaten left over meat. I kept this secret for him for really long. I usually cannot keep secrets for long but for Oreo I did it. My dog would also say that I am the most hardworking person in the house, because often Oreo sit near me as I do my homework.

Oreo would definitely say that I eat like a pig. I eat all the time. It is almost as if my hands have a mind of their own, because sometimes I don’t even realize how many candy bars I have eaten until I look down and see. When I sit down for dinner, lunch, or breakfast, I always throw down some food for my pet dog. I would actually prefer giving it to him in a better way than throwing it down, but if I do anything else I would be caught. He loves me. I love dogs and dogs love me. I hate cats because they are ugly and just so fragile. It is annoying. I talk to my dog a lot. I know he doesn’t understand most of what I am saying but I do it anyway. I am not the type who thinks that dogs are my sister or anything like that. They are just good entertainment for times when you are really bored. I love dogs. 

News Article

Salman Rushdie

Summary

Salman Rushdie, the Muslim author of The Satanic Verses, has backed out from the Jaipur literature festival due to threats from the Muslim community in India. His book, The Satanic Verses, is a controversial one, as it criticizes the Quran. The Muslims claimed that the book was blasphemous. Iran's Ayatollah Khomeini issued a fatwa calling for his execution and since then Rushdie has been in hiding. The question that was raised by his supporters is that why is Rushdie being restricted by the Muslim community into India when he has visited many times before and once for the Jaipur literature festival in 2007. Supporters believe that this restriction is not because Rushdie hurt the sentiments of Muslims, but because of the Uttar Pradesh state elections that are due very soon. No political party wants to upset the Muslim community in Uttar Pradesh because U.P is has the largest percentage of Muslim voters (18%) in India. Salman has received threats of assassination if he shows up for the literature festival and therefore has decided to speak at the festival through a video link.

Response

When I first heard about this issue, I though it was incredibly petty, and there have not been big changes to that since then. Rushdie wrote a book explaining his opinion on the Quran. Is that a crime? Since when did expressing ideas and opinions become wrong? There is no valid reason for the Muslims to protest against his visit to India. He is a citizen of India and he has a right to be there. It is not up to the Muslims to decide who is and isn’t allowed into the country. Maybe his book was considered blasphemous in Iran, and it is understandable, but not India. How can they threaten Indian citizens like that? If an innocent citizen’s life is being threatened by someone, that someone is going against the law, and if he is against the law he is against the country. This isn’t at all what it looks like and that is what we call politics. Because of the elections, which Rushdie has nothing to do with, the Muslims are not allowing Rushdie in India. No one wants to jeopardize anything during the elections. This is incredibly selfish. Society is hammering down the nail once again. This behavior of the Muslim community has really destroyed India’s reputation. If one person expresses his thought which is different from the others, he is nailed backed down. That is the disappointing reality of life now.

Vocab

1. Gaudy:

·        “The festival, which just started today in the northwestern state of Rajasthan, is an astonishingly diverse and gaudy affair.”

·        Definition/Origin – Flashy, bright, loud, extravagantly showy. Originated from the Latin word "gaudium", meaning "enjoyment" or "merry-making.”

·        Sentence – Woodstock school students are very wary of gaudy clothing.

2. Frisked:

• “This morning, I saw rooftop snipers, sniffer dogs, and X-ray machines—and visitors were frisked as they entered the grounds.”
• Defination/Origin – To search (a person) for something concealed, especially a weapon, by passing the hands quickly over clothes or through pockets. Originated from Middle English frisk, meaning lively.
• Sentence: Even though local politicians often visit Woodstock school the students are never frisked by the security guards.

3. Blasphemous:

• “Many Muslims regard his book, The Satanic Verses, as blasphemous, and it was banned in India in 1988 for its "blasphemous content hurting the sentiments of Muslims.”
• Definition/Origin – expressing or involving sinful or gross disrespect towards God, a divine being, or something sacred. Originated from Greek word blasphēmos meaning evil-speaking (blapsis evil + phēmē speech)
• Sentence: Not eating Wai – Wai is blasphemous for woodstockers such as me.

  

Personal essay

165. What confuses you most in life, and why? (University of Virginia)

There are many things that confuse me in life. The one thing that confuses me the most is math. If there is one thing I hate the most in this world it is the absurd and bizarre subject which is also known as math to many people. The reason for my hatred towards it, is because it is extremely complicated, not because it is difficult. AP politics and government, and AP English & Composition are also very difficult subjects but I still like them. I have reasons which many math haters, such as myself, have.

There are many things about math which is confusing, like logarithms for example. Why do we have to put a log sign in front of numbers, when we can just use their inverse forms which are basic functions. Why do we have to complicate everything further. Why do we have to deal with the negative numbers if they are not even real? What is the point of that? Nobody is ever going to walk up to you and say “what are the two solutions to this quadratic equation?” Not unless that person is your child who is also struggling with math. When you are trying to aim for a career which looks at law or, hotel management or, theatre or even bussiness management multiplication, addition, subtraction, and division is more than sufficient to live a successful and a good life. So that leads to another extremely confusing thing. Why do colleges, which are meant for the careers mentioned before, have a requirement for math till a level where it is past how much we actually require? Is this just to torture us with the extremely complicated things? I don’t quite understand the point of math when it becomes complicated and unnecessary.

When something is so confusing, because of its complexity, then how is one supposed to ever figure it out? For me if I cannot figure something out despite all my efforts I start disliking it. The saying “never give up” is a bunch of nonsense. You should give up if you have already tried a million times. You should be practical and give up so that you can put your precious time to a better and more productive use.