Ferris Bueller Explains the Government Shutdown

For a laugh check out this website to learn about Ferris Bueller's approach to the government shutdown: http://www.buzzfeed.com/bennyjohnson/ferris-bueller-explains-the-government-shutdown 

Everybody's heard about the government shutdown, it has become a part of everyday conversation. While people sarcastically joke about this shutdown, lots is going on that could be detrimental to our society. This shutdown will result in a loss of $2.1 million dollars, backup of issued VISAS and passports, and so forth. This could also result in the loss of republican seats in the future elections as they have used this stopgap resolution to "wage war" against Obamacare. This potential loss of seats in the house is my biggest fear. This entire shutdown can be summarized by saying that both the Senate and the House of Representatives were working to advance their own political agendas. Because of this government could not agree on bills to fund federal agencies. Basically, the House (republicans) wrote in the defunding of Obamacare into funding and budget proposals, in turn making the Senate (democrats) not pass the bill as they are largely advocators for this healthcare plan. If the House and Senate were to somehow agree, it would still be no use because Obama would veto any plan that defunded Obamacare. Because republicans fear Obamacare, they were tried to use this stopgap to hinder the continuation of Obamacare.  While I agree with republicans fear of Obamacare, I think that the government shutdown should have been avoided at all costs. The fact that our government can find no middle ground is what worries me for our future and makes me wonder how long this could possibly last. 

As stated earlier, I agree with republicans fear of Obamacare because of my dislike for big-government.  I do not think healthcare should be a mandate, and disagree with healthcare in general. I see it as only driving up healthcare costs. Thus, making medical bills only affordable with medicare, etc while it could be cheaper without any form of healthcare systems. When reading articles about big government, I keep in mind this quote by Henry Ford: "Any man who thinks they can be happy and prosperous by letting the Government take care of him, better take a closer look at the American Indian."

Westgate Mall attack Nairobi

When reading this I was immediately angry and upset. What really got to me were the articles about some of the first hand experiences. I honestly do not understand how people could do this. One of the shooters told all the women and children to stand up saying that he only shot men and went on a rampage killing lots of the women and children who stood up, killing children who have no true opinion on religion.  Some first hand account quotes that really resonated in and stayed in my mind were:

“These people are insane. They are not human beings. They must have been brainwashed since childhood.”

“They don’t think like you and me. They have a warped, twisted reasoning. They are not Muslims. They are dangerous criminals who use religion to create divisions"

"They attacked innocent people and they should be punished. I’m a Muslim and this has nothing to do with Islam. The Quran says you shouldn't even kill a fly."

"The air was heavy with death and evil. You could smell it."

"They spray bullets on innocent children who don’t know good or bad. They are less than animals. I have anger inside and it makes me feel negatively about the Islamic religion. I hope they suffer in hell."

These quotes were very vivid and described the Al-Shaabab in a way that no one else accurately could.  A common theme in what the survivors were saying was that the shooters were brainwashed, evil, less than animals, and they mentioned lots of religious ties. These attacked were said to be rooted from Islam and the Al-Shaabab has ties to Al Qaeda. First off, how can somebody even do this and secondly how can they relate this to a religion. You cannot justify murder especially not by quoting a religion in this case muslim. When I hear about shootings, or other terrorist attacks I immediately wonder how humans could do this to people just like you and me. I can only wonder what would could be done to prevent future attacks. I do believe that the United States should not get involved as they have already done enough damage by basically giving the Al-Shaabab power. Kenya is a extreme situation that does not follow the traditional guidelines of everyday society.  What many people fail to realize is the power of extreme situations to transform attitudes. However, these attitudes are reckless and show no compassion or regard for human life.

Reini, James. "Mall Siege Survivors Recount Harrowing Ordeal." - Features. N.p., 27 Sept. 2013. Web. 02 Oct. 2013. <http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/features/2013/09/mall-siege-survivors-recount-harrowing-ordeal-2013927102037658462.html>.

The Naval Yard Shooting

The Naval Yard shooting resulted in the death of 12 people, a devastating unexplainable act that is amongst a list of shootings that have happened in the past year. While our country is in mourning, many ask if this shooting was avoidable especially considering that it happened on a secure military facility.

As almost anything can be avoided in hindsight, I do not think this was something that could have been expected because “time and time again, Mr. Alexis’s behavior fell below a level that would have brought a serious response, like a less-than-honorable discharge from the military or involuntary commitment to a mental institution” (Gabriel 1). He was discharged from the military because of absences, etc. His offenses in the military were not something that screamed red flag or something that could in other words restrict him from purchasing a gun or deny him military access. However his episode with over firing the gun at tires and through his ceiling should have raised some sort of red flag towards his mental capabilities. This does not reveal a motive for his mass rampage, but should have raised some questions. I think the problem is that he was able to purchase a gun in spite of his gun violence, psychiatric issues, etc.  I also think a reoccurring theme in the devastating shootings lately is that it is so easy to have and walk around with a gun. This is because we would like to trust in the good of humanity, to the point where it is enough to not have to put a metal detector at every public place, but shootings have become “a ritual that we go through every three, four months” (Gabriel 1). We do not want to look at people and see a capacity of each individual to kill, we want to believe in the good of human nature.

Gabriel, Trip, Joseph Goldstein, and Michael Schmidt. "Suspect’s Past Fell Just Short of Raising Alarm." The New York Times. N.p., Sept.-Oct. 2013. Web. Sept.-Oct. 2013. <http://www.nytimes.com/2013/09/18/us/washington-navy-yard-shootings.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0>.