The most challenging aspect of this project was simply trying to find where globalization is evident in the city of Philadelphia. Not that there was a shortage of ideas, on the contrary, it was just that my ideas were often confused with ways Philadelphia impacts the world, not vice versa. Also some topics were more challenging that others. For example, security and terrorism, but I think I was just over thinking the assignment.

Most of the images required me to travel around the city - whether it was a special trip to China town or 30th street station. However, many of the pictures were actually of items or place that I pass in my daily routine. For example, the t-shirt marked with "made in Jordan" evidenced how trade influences Philadelphia. My favorite picture was probably the China town wall, just because I had seen it a few times, but I had never necessarily noticed its elegance. 

There is an abundance of places where globalization is evident within the city that most people generally wouldn't consider prior to this project. Everything from the clothes that we wear to the cars that we drive are pieces of globalization. I would assume that Philadelphia has the same amount of globalization, if not more, than most other large cities. Many of the feats are the same; however, there are certain characteristics about Philadelphia that I would assume are devoid in other cities, for example, China town. 

  For years I had seized the benefits of small class sizes, increased individual attention from teachers and learning in an environmental filled with an eclectic group of diverse people that all shared a set of common goals and ideals. This was a place where people seemed to honestly enjoy coming to school for learning’s sake, rather than to just get a good grade in order to escape the scowls of parents. Accompanied with lavish offerings in extracurricular activities, and freedom from the school district to take interesting trips to places such as Costa Rica and New York that all aid to the learning and development of a child, this was undoubtedly an ideal environment to grow up in.

  My high school may not be the traditional public school. It has helped me hone several important skills such as inquiry, research and leadership. However, in one year all of my cushy surroundings were taken away from me. My current science class has 35 other students it – more than the maximum amount required by the district. Last month, the government officially put a number on the amount of cuts the school district will be facing due to the recession: $465 million. This will severely limit – if not discontinue – a large amount of extracurricular activities and opportunities my school is able to provide.

Esta obra de arte es bien. Los colores son apogado pero dijó un cuento. No se por que pinta de esta cuentos porque el es de un familia muy rico, y esta cuentos de son los trabajadores y la clase obrera.

I hated that life style, but at least I had a place to stay and food to eat – a thought process I thought was very mature for my age. That was, at least, until I went to Mr. and Mrs. Walker. They came off as very nice people, but the actual experience was much different. I was probably about 4 at this time – blissfully ignorant to the world. I didn’t know what exactly to expect, but these people – these people that were entrusted with a child’s life, often forgot to – or neglected to comply with the bare minimum to satisfy a good quality of life for a child. I would sometimes go for days without eating, and if I acted out of line, I would get beaten. And when I say “out of line”, I don’t mean stealing or taking their car for a joyride. I was, after all, only four years old. I would get beaten for merely crying when they had guests over – not in front of them obviously, they were particularly careful about giving the wrong impression to the public. When we went to the market, for instance, we would act as a perfect family. Unless, of course, I would do something that embarrassed them in public, oh yeah, I would pay for that later. They would ensure that I would learn my lesson when I got home. Sometimes they would even take turns beating me, as if they got some twisted pleasure from beating a child. 

I had heard him cry thousands of times before and it bothered me each time, but this time was different. I heard those screams and I just lost control. This just seemed to make everything worse. The crying intensified and Christy’s pleas for me to stop just made me angrier and then I… 

Let me rewind – It was the championship game. The series was tied 1-1 in a best of three match. We were the underdogs, by far. The only reason we even made it to the playoffs was because there was no elimination in little league, an attempt to promote fairness, I guess. We already shocked everyone by beating the Athletics once. With our backs on the wall, we were able scrounger up a big inning. The score was 7-3.  All of a sudden, our pitcher started acting uncharacteristically, walking several people in a row and giving up big hits. The fielders started to get uneasy as the score was creeping up on us. It was now 7-6 with the bases loaded and the count 3-0, the coach walked out to the mound, and signaled for a pitching change. He was calling for me. I threw my warm up pitches and prepared for the most unnerving baseball experience of my life. I immediately threw two pitches for strikes, knowing that if I missed, we would lose the game. He then proceeded to foul off the next couple of pitches. I prepared for the next pitch. I winded up. SWING AND A MISS.

However, that senior swagger is usually aligned with lackadaisical attitudes and pure entitlement – some might call it “senioritis”— and it was that attitude that dismissed most seniors from attending mandatory practices and team workouts. That, and the fact that most of the seniors lacked the knowledge of the basic fundamentals of the game, and had never played baseball for an organized team, generally didn’t make them suitable captains.

That’s where I came in. Although I didn’t have the title as team captain, I had played baseball since I was six and I was eager to help lead my team to the success that I knew we were capable of. I was often put in charge of team workouts and spent most of my time instructing the less experienced players on the precise technique for fielding baseballs and getting more power behind their swings. We didn’t start truly playing together as a team until the end of the season, and although the team ended 4-6, a disappointing record by anyone’s standards, we showed improvement from the previous years, and I’m excited for next season.

This is sort of proof that you don’t have to have a title to make a difference. True leaders can inspire people to perform to their potential by simply putting forth their best effort, and leading by example. I was an effective leader because I never assumed I was better than any of them. Unlike my senior counterparts, I never thought I was too good for practice, and once I was able to gain their respect, I noticed a much more responsive attitude from most of the kids, that allowed us to play together as a team.

My first debate tournament went well. I made it to the semi-finals – a feat deemed unattainable by someone in their first debate. In this round we were clearly outmatched. The opposing team had been debating for years and subsequently, their case was much more solid. After the debate was over my partner and I left the room immediately, too bummed out to have to stay and listen to the negative commentary. We had just taken our seats in the auditorium of about a hundred people when they host of the tournament came through the door, and gave a look of pure confusion. “Why aren’t you two up there getting ready?!” she said hastily; and all of a sudden everything changed. Chris and I ran outside the room to let loose with some giddy screaming and jumping, just long enough for us to compose ourselves and get back inside to debate.

As I said, the finals were in an auditorium in front of close to a hundred people. This was a personal test because public speaking had always been an issue for me. I knew the results would be close. Unfortunately, I lost the debate by a two to one vote; however, the skills that I gained that day had a lasting affect as I eventually went on to succeed at several other prestigious debate tournaments. 

The damage is done, good bye.

Perfection, a misconception – ends in rejection.

Woke up early to go snowboarding

Had a 2 hour drive

Couldn’t keep my eyes open

Had expresso for the first time

Had too much expresso

Was really hyper

Scared Harrison because I was going 90 on the turnpike

Scared Harrison because I was driving with no hands

Got to the mountain

Got a really good parking spot

Sucked going down the mountain the first time

Thought it would get better

It didn’t

Banged my head on the ice

Had to take a break

Got disgusting food from the cafeteria

It made me miss the food at my job

That just made me hungrier

Tried to think of anything but food: nada

Went back down the mountain

Banged my head on the ice, again

Wanted to leave

Got in the car

Got more expresso

Got home at 10

Thought I was going to go to sleep early for once

Was too jittery from the expresso to sleep

Called Bari

Looked at the clock - 2:38

Blamed Bari for keeping me up late

Finally went to sleep

Going to be exhausted tomorrow

It’s been thirteen days, two hours, forty-seven minutes since Michael left – crossing Mountains, through steep valleys and over rivers to visit the girl he loves.

It’s been thirteen days, two hours, forty-seven minutes since Michael left – crossing Mountains, through steep valleys and over rivers to visit the girl he loves.

 I have witnessed a complete turnaround in regards to the support it received in the senate. Originally, it was placed inside a larger defense bill; however, rejected the bill, deeming it too complex to be able to sufficiently debate the topic before the Christmas break. When the bill was apparently dead, Susan Collins presented the bill in a piece of stand alone legislation as a last attempt to get it through the senate, and on December 18, In a 65-31 vote, the Senate passed the repeal that would allow thousands of Americans to serve in the military being openly homosexual. This was a historic achievement by president Obama. This victory was symbolic of several victories Obama added to his repertoire throughout a very productive lame duck session. Although failing to pass the Dream Act, he was able to sign a nuclear arms treaty with Russia, and cut taxes for millions of Americans.

This was a pressing civil rights issue that had taunted the gay community for 17 years. I personally agree with President Obama who strongly advocated for soldiers to serve in the military being openly gay. "I don't know what it's like to be picked on for being gay. But I do know what it’s like to grow up feeling that sometimes you don’t belong. It’s tough.” This was a historic moment in Obama’s presidency.  He was able to come through on a campaign promise that reigned in thousands of voters, and he was able to repeal a law that had hindered our nation’s security and the freedom of thousands of Americans.

Dear Joe Manchin,

I am writing to you with regards of the “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell” repeal. This is history piece of legislation is absolutely necessary to reverse this discriminatory law that has plagued our nation for nearly 18 years despite abundance of criticism and ridicule.

"Don't Ask Don't Tell weakens our national security, diminishes our military readiness, and violates the fundamental American principles of fairness, integrity, and equality."

In a survey of 400,000 service men, it was deemed that the repeal of Don’t Ask Don’t Tell would not affect their ability to perform their civic duty. 92% stated that their unit’s “ability to work together,” with a gay person was “very good, “good” or “neither good nor poor.” And 70% of Service members said they would be able to “work together to get the job done” with a gay service member in their immediate units.

The pentagon has also vowed that the implementation of this legislation would not hinder any current military efforts. Thus, there is no reason to vote against this bill that has deprived thousands of Americans from the freedom to serve their country.

You’re vote is essential to the passing of this blatantly homophobic law. I strongly urge your vote in the upcoming attempt to pass this law once it is taken out of the military spending bill and regarded as stand-alone legislation.

Sincerely,

Andre Serrano

P.S. You can learn more about this issue at my blog.

__________________________________________________________

It is absolutely essential to reverse the homophobic law that has deprived millions of American from serving their country in the military. To make the greatest impact, I decided my efforts would best be targeted towards the members of the senate who still oppose the law even after the pentagon’s report. Historically, senators have continuously voted along party lines, with the exception of Joe Manchin. Therefore, I deemed it appropriate to target Joe and the Republican Party.

Attempts have been made to revise DADT, the homophobic law enacted under Bill Clinton to keep gays out of the military.  In May 2010, an amendment was passed in the House of Representatives, however it lacked the necessary 60 votes to get the bill passed in the senate.

Also, attempts to pass DADT are becoming increasingly more difficult. Prior to the recent election 90% of democrats were in favor of the repeal, versus 97% of republicans, and since the election has drastically shifted the power to republicans, it can only damage the odds of getting it approved. Therefore it is a fair assumption that the window of opportunity is quickly closing.

Despite the general public being largely in favor of an amendment to the bill, Republicans have decided to vote along party lines.

The pentagon has recently issued a study regarding the current amendment. It has concluded that lifting a ban that prevents gays from serving in the military would result in “minimal and isolated incidents to the risk to the current war efforts.” The pentagon requested that the survey, which was given to more than 400,000 active troupes, address the issue of a repeal potentially hindering the military’s ability to fight. More than 70% of the respondents to the survey suggested the results to the move would be either positive or nonexistent – thus eliminating the only legitimate argument of withholding the ban.

Gay rights activists have begun a campaign around ten different states to aid the process of the DADT amendment. The Human Rights Campaign and Servicemembers Legal Defense Network. Joe Solmonese, President of HRC, recently said in a statement: “As we approach the waning days of this congressional session, we must continue to demand immediate action on critical legislation.”

Altruism In Evolution

Reciprocal altruism is described as when one animal acts for the benefit of another animal and in doing so decreases its own fitness. It is in an organism’s best interest to behave altruistically, because that increases the chances of an organism returning the favor – thus enhancing its chances to pass on it’s genes. This is true in organisms, from humans to vampire bats. Most social organism can benefit from behaving altruistically.

It is the foundation of evolution that organisms have the need to pass on its genes. Without it, we would all go extinct. Friends don’t keep providing favors to another friend, if the other friend never reciprocates, businesses stop providing services to another business if that business is about go to bankrupt. It’s human nature to do what’s in the best interest for you.

Vampire bats also provide an excellent example of altruism amongst organisms. Vampire bats require blood meals every night. Due to the nature of their diet, they begin to deteriorate after merely two days of missing a meal. regularly regurgitate blood and donate it to other members of their group who have failed to feed that night, ensuring they do not starve.

The cliché “nice guys finish last” has been disproven throughout the years. By behaving altruistically, an organism reduces the number of offspring it is likely to produce itself, but boosts the number that other organisms are likely to produce. So why would an organism behave in such a manner? The reason for this behavior is because in the future the giving animal expects to be able to receive that same service in its own time of need. 

Citations

• Axelrod, R. and Hamilton, W. D., 1981, ‘The Evolution of Cooperation’, Science, 211: 1390-96
• "Biological Altruism." Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy. 2003. Web.
• Mesterton-Gibbons, M. a. L. A. D. (1992). "Cooperation Among Unrelated Individuals:  Evolutionary Factors." Quarterly Review of Biology 67(3): 267-281.

1.   What motivated you to come out and vote?

She found her parent’s voter registration card and it made her realize that not everyone was born with the right to vote and she wanted to take advantage of it.

3. Do you vote in every election? (How regularly do you vote?)

All the major elections.

4. Do you know why we vote on Tuesday?

No

5. Where have you encountered the highest amount of ad campaigning? Radio, TV, print, internet, other.

TV

6. What was the most memorable campaign ad that you have encountered?

“I am not a witch”  -Christine Odonnell.

7. Are you always sure of who you are going to vote for when you walk into the booth or are you still deliberating?

She just votes democrat.

8. What changes do you hope to see in Philadelphia as a result of this election?  

More Jobs

 
9. What impact do you feel that your vote will have on the election?

She feels like the voter turnout for today was particularly low in this district, so hopefully her vote will make an impact.

10. Did you learn about voting in school?  If yes, did that impact your willingness to vote today?  

Yes and yes