Brainstorming: Reforming the Juvenile Justice System ; Jose

1.  Answer based on your article:

• Who is the accused? The victim(s)?  Where did it take place? How long ago?

The one accused was Jose at the age of 14 in 1998 for an incident that happened in an alley where a friend was killed, his name was not stated.

• What was the crime?

The crime that he was charged with was a murder of a friend that was brutally beaten to death by another friend while they were both drunk.

• How old was the defendant at the time? At the time of the trial?

The defendant at the time was fourteen years of age at the time of the trial he was fifteen.

• What were the charges?

The charge that he was faced with was murder.

• Was there any discussion in your articles about the background/history of the defendants? That is, were there extenuating circumstances (poverty, abuse, health, etc.) that may have influenced their criminal decisions?

Yes both his parents has problems especially his father which was a heroin addict and both his parents abandoned him. Then soon after he became involved in gangs and also became an addict of drugs and alcohol. 

• What did the parents of the accused have to say, if anything?  The families of the victims?

It does not mention anything about the victim or his family but his parents didn't have anything to say because they weren't and still aren't in his life.

• What was the outcome of the trial? The sentencing?

The outcome of the trial was that he was sent to juvenile hall until the age of 17 for pleading guilty in the crime also right after he had a psychological evaluation to determine how dangerous he was. Evidence was collected afterwards saying that he had little involvement in the crime but still was guilty for the crime. After he was out of juvenile hall he was released with probation to find a job or be a full time student along with leaving his whole gang life. 

• Was there some sort of public comment, outcry, or protest associated with this case?  

There was no sort of public comment, outcry, or protest with this crime.

• Since the sentencing, have either the victims or the perpetrators been heard from, and if so, how?

Yes after he got out after five months he obtained a job with local parks department and enrolled in community college but in January 2001 he was arrested for probation violation .

2.  Using the arguments presented in the articles in your reader, plus the ones I gave you (including the one from the Atlantic), examine the case that you chose...

• How might we take brain research into account in this case?

Brain research can be taken into account on this crime because we would research why he did such an act and if he is a danger to the community. Also, we can foreshadow some of the actions that can be committed in the future.

• Assume that at some point we outlaw trying juveniles as adults.  How, then, would this case change?

I think that this case would have changed by him not having an adult record at the age of seventeen but other then that his punishment would have been the same because the judge gave him a big break.

• Assume that at the time of the crime, the accused juveniles were adults.  How, then, would this case change?

If at the time the juveniles where adults they would have had probably a long time in prison and not they research put into him as they did after the crime. Also, the judges would have been more stricter and tougher on the defendant.

• Do you believe, based on what you've read about this case, that the sentencing was fair?  Why or why not?  If you were judge (or emperor), how would you have dealt with this case?

I think that the sentencing was fair especially because he was not the main person that committed the crime he was just a bit involved with it and it was the alcohol that made him not realize what he was doing until it got really violent is when they realized the victim was dead. If I was the judge I would have not given him an adult record but time in juvenile hall and probation yes.

3.  My last big question: What does your case have to say about the juvenile justice system?  What can, or should, we change? 

My case says about the juvenile court system is that even if the defendant did not commit the crime he gets that set on his record for life. That is not fair because yes he was part of it but he was not the one who actually killed the victim. This system can also be fair enough though with the sentencing depending on the judge and his or her opinion. I think that we should change that the charges that he was faced with don't move to his adult record especially if they weren't the main person. I can understand if it was the one guilty and really did want to kill the victim but in this case it was an accident that he did not fully commit.

Tried Juveniles

Q: What are the most important factors to consider when deciding whether to charge a juvenile as an adult? Explain your choice.

I think the most important factors that decide whether or not to charge a juvenile as an adult is brain development. They either aren't mature enough, immature, too young, or they do not understand what they are being told in adult court. In the cases that we have read about in our reader and in the Atlantic Monthly they all state a fact due to our brains. At the age of twelve Lionel Tate had been tried as an adult for imitating the moves of a video game onto a young girl that he was roughly playing with. He did not know the danger in these moves as well as what was going to happen in real life. He might have thought it was like the video game where nothing really happens because you get another life to try again. In the studies of the Atlantic Monthly studies show that a brain tumor can change a person in many ways. Even as an adult it can change your needs, actions and also your personality. For example they said a forty year old man named Alex changes his sexual preferences from a normal man to wanting to excessively watch children porn. These changes caused an average person to become a criminal and a danger to society without them wanting to do any harm naturally. This is why I believe its the brain development that matters the most.

Student Hw

If you were struggling would you go dumpster diving and how would you feel?

If I was struggling and absolutely didn't have another choice yes I would have to go dumpster diving. I'm sure I would feel embarrassed and grossed out when I actually did this because its something I would ever do. On the other hand, if it got me food and some useful things I'm sure that eventually I would get used to it.

Teach Questions

Magic Madness:

1) The best magic trick I have seen has been Chris Angel walking through a metal door. I saw the video on youtube when I was on skype with a friend. I thought it was so weird and incredible because at first they made them touch the door to see he really did go through it. The trick to this was that they had to cover him to go through the door and at the end he got a big cover and came all out. This video was just amazing because what human being would be able to do this? Apparently Chris Angel can.


Drug Abuse

Q: Do you agree with the statistics? Why or why not?

I kind of do agree with the statistics but at the same time I do not agree. First, we don't know what kind of drugs they speak of and if it was in certain circumstances like if they went to rehab. At the same time it can be true but I think these days it might be a little higher especially with the influences of our culture these days and high school influences. I agree because yes with their mom they are more likely to be stricter then their dad thats why its a higher percentage with their fathers. They don't tend to care as much as moms but I can't say all because there are fathers who care more about their children then their own mother. That is why I agree but disagree.

Translation:Music

CH.16 ) Songs and music of the Ynga and the rest of the men of this kingdom and the yndios named haravi(song of love) and uanca(song), pingollo(flute), quena quena(Indian dance) in the general language of quichiua, aymara. Says this:

"Song of love, is it unfortunate,queen, that separates us? Is it because you my little blue flower, my sour flower? In my head, in the center of my heart I will take you everywhere. Like a water mirror you are an illusion. Like water mirror you are a lie. Who are you? Will I rest with my love? It is your untruthful mother that separates us from death and it is your father that is the enemy that causes us poorness. Maybe, Queen, thats how God made it, Oh mighty man. We will both meet and that God will unite us! When I remember your happy eyes, I loose all senses. When I remember those flirting eyes, I get sick. It's the truth, Inka, It's the truth, sir! Of that committee who induces crying, do you come with your flower heart? Crying for rivers and towns Encima de Kantur, in the pass of Saphi I wait for you. My love Siqulla."

I choose this specific song because it sounds like a tragic love story and i always enjoy a love story. I understood it like a low class man and a high class person trying to be together but it is bad in society and their parents separating them .

The Things They Carried

In The Things They Carried by Tim O’Brien the chapter of “Sweetheartof the Song Tra Bong, “it tells about a young woman named Mary Anne. She goesinto the battlegrounds with Mark Fossie as a type of nurse to heal the injuredsoldiers. Maybe too young just coming out of high school but they accepted herto see those awful things with no experience. In the beginning of this chapterit describes Mary Anne as the perfect “woman” to the soldier’s eyes. She hasthe nice body, perky attitude and curiosity of a five year old. That to themwas the perfect girl that anyone could have. What they didn’t realize was thatshe wasn’t a fully grown woman she was just a young girl exploring not knowingeverything that surrounds her.

The servicemen at this point do not know what they really want. They are out in nowhere with all men and as soon as they see a woman that is quite interesting they think that she is perfect. In reality, she is bearly learning just like them. She is a little cub trying to be a big bear. Since they are stuck in a place where they don't even know they don't see the outside world and what the world can offer them beyond of high school and what they were doing before. After all, they came in after high school just like Mary Anne. Mary Anne is seen as a woman in this chapter but she only conveys one type of person that is barely finding herself.

What describes a real woman is someone who has faced many obstacles in life and has obtained life lessons from those exact things. They come up from the bad things being stronger then ever. Obstacles like schooling and hard decisions. Mary Anne in a way is a controversy of that ideal. She just gives a pretty face and says please a few times and she gets what she wants from anyone in the group. The satisfaction of working for what you want and the idea that you know that you worked hard has never gone through her because she is spoiled there. This just makes people think that they are people who just don't work hard.

Another ideal that Mary Anne portrays is that woman are always perky and social. A woman has her own personality and some might be different then each other. Some woman might be quiet and a thinker instead of those who speak their minds and explore everything they see. Like any other person they differ from other in a group. They might find someone similar but never someone who is exactly the same as the other person.

Vietnam Experience

Name of the photo: 1067

Describe what this photograph depicts.

    This photo shows a soldier named Frank Eates holding James A. Doughty’s hand in his last moments alive. Frank unfortunately died moments after but fought one of the hardest and aggressive battles between the Americans and North Vietnamese.

What does this photograph demonstrates about what life was like during the Vietnam War?

    This photo demonstrates that during the Vietnam War people who they have know to be family and learned to protect are dying all around them and some even disappearing. They remain hopeful and are with them until their last breath. I see in this picture that no one dies alone someone is always there. I also see a lot of brotherly love between the two soldiers by them having each other’s hand and feeling each other’s suffering and pain.

If your photo has people in it, give one of them a name and make up background information about them. If it’s just a landscape, make up a history about the place.
    James A. Doughty, 20, a striving, brave and risk taking young boy died in the battle against the Vietnamese. With his life ahead of him after just finishing high school two years ago and a student to become a police man, all crashed down. He fought for his dear country every single second that he was on that battleground. Doughty left with the courageous memory of fighting one of the most violent and powerful battle fought during this war. Leaving behind his whole entire life and family to grieve for his death they lost all their hopes lost that one day they would ever see his face light up from joy again. On the other hand, they are happy at knowing that to them he is a hero to the beloved nation of The United States of America.

What will “stick with you” about this photo?
    The main things that will stick with me about this photograph is the sense of pain that it gave me to this but also the joy. To see that no men are left alone in the moment that they most need their fellow battle partners with them is something that in those moments nothing that can be compared to. There, the person has all the love, companionship and loyalty in front of their eyes and they will leave with the loving memory of their troops.

Racial Profiling

Racial profiling has become a very big issue especially after the case on 9/11. It is not only an issue for african americans and hispanics but also muslims, arabs and any other race that is concidered dangerous. For examplem in the article "Police-Stop Data Shows Pockets Where Force Is Used More Often" by Ray Rivera featred in the New York Times talks about how in Bronx, New York police enforcement have unreasonably tackled and used force against their citizens when they weren't even in any harm. Some people think its becasue they are fresh out of the police academy and are scared of getting hurt on the job. A simple task as of asking for their identification can go out of hand. The police enforcement is not supposed to lead more racial profiling but try to stop it by keeping their residents safe and this, is not a way to do it.
Also in the article "Racial Profiling of Muslims Is Justified to Prevent Terrorism" by Michelle Malkin featrured in the magizine of USA Today talks about how Muslims are suffering by racial profiling in this country. It states that if they were alowed to racially profile Muslims and Arabs in the time of September 11, 2001 then the twin towers could have still been standing and innocent people would still been alive. They know that feelings would be hurt and there would be dilemas over this choice but certain people think its the best choice for national security. Yet, many people would be charged or seen as dangeroyus without even doing anything wrong and that live peacefully on Americal soil. Also in the articvle of "Ethnic and Religious Profiling Is Necessary" by Carl F. Horowitz it also supprts the action of racial profiling. He thinks that this can stop terrorism from happeneing withing our country but in reality it is hurting our country more by giving a reason more for hatred.

Senior Update #3

For my senior project I have done a lot of research concerning the animal testing and animal cruelty. I have also found out the maximum and minimum sentences for those who neglect or abuse an animal. People have done really hateful things to animals such as cut them in pieces alive, starved them, and even let them live in their own feces and urine. I am going to connect this with my paper by giving examples of different cases in the past and the present cases. Even the cases in animal testing can relate to my paper or the actual project.

For my reading in this class I read a book which is related to my senior project and that is the movement towards the animal movement. This book will help me on my research paper because that’s the topic it is on and I have done some research for it. Also I can refer back to my book and include it in my works cited. My paper is going to be related to the animal rights movement so it is perfect for it.

I have not yet done my community hours but I plan to do them over winter break since I have enough time during the day to actually go do work instead of being at my house and getting lazy. I have been informed that the only thing that they do in volunteer hours is walk dogs so I might just do half my hours at the shelter and then the other half I want to go somewhere where I can actually work with the animals and make life a little easier for them.

For my visual I want to create my own SPCA so I have to create a set of rules and organization techniques for it and I want to make a actual SPCA out of wood to give an impression of how it’s going to look. I am planning on putting many different types of animals but mostly house pets and farm animals so the outside can be animals such as horses and the inside can be cats, dogs and such.

For The Love Of Animals <3

In my book For The Love of Animals: The Rise To The Animal Protection Movement is about how the movement to animals treatment in England started. They used to beat and use the animals for brutal entertainment like killings and matches. It focuses on many many research and cases on which how animals used to be treated. Like for example in one case they used to teach elephants how to dance by putting hot irons underneath their feet .so it could look like they were doing a type tap dance on the floor. Things like this influences the people of England to not care about the animals and use the same tactics as the people abusing their animals. Abusing and neglect was a everyday thing for the poor animals.

One case that was in 1739 that a french inventor designed a machine duck that dis everything that a duck could do except for conceiving more ducks. Soon the people where confused on the real ducks and the machine ducks. They called them beast machines die to the confusion if they were just a piece of machinery or a monster made out of skin and blood. People believed that they did not have a soul, wisdom, life or reason.

Soon after a Renaissance writer name Michel de Montaigne write about the relationship and closeness that animals have to humans. The duchess did not agree with his opinion and denied everything that he said but Montaigne argued that a simple time playing with his cat he saw how it interacted and knew that he was playing around. He observed many animals around him and saw how they showed different types of emotions. One of his observations stated that dogs and parrots could be trained to act like humans the most . They used body language to communicate their emotions and passions and they were made out of the same cells that we are.

Senior Project #2

For my senior project so far I have completed my interview but I have not gotten able to get my contract sign due to my mentor not having time to sign it. I should have had it the day I was supposed to turn it in but unfortunately I forgot to tell my mentor about the contract. This week hopefully he will be able to meet with me so we can get that done and turn it into Mr. Gilbert. Other then the mentor contract I am on track with my schedule for my project.

This week I will be going into the pet shelter so I can sign up to volunteer and hopefully be able to work with the animals instead of just walking them for an hour or two. I want to be able to care for the animals like give them activities and also have human contact even if they are in the shelter. Another place I want to help to volunteer would be at Petco where I help the animals find a home for them so they can live a better home for them instead of living in a cage or box.

 I have also started on my research paper by looking up information about my subject and my mentor has given me a more of an insight of animal treatments and how they are seen by the law. I am also going to make an appointment with my mentor to learn about the body language of K9’s and how to properly react to them. On that stand I can compare and contrast humans with animals at this point. Hopefully during this week or next week I intend to go to the public library and search books on the animal protective movement and how it advanced during the centuries.

Something that I would like to do on my own for my project will be to have my friends and family to donate food to animal shelters. For this we can have people donate coupons for stores and go out and get them or just a simple donate at a store when people shop. Another idea I have would be to have the experience with not just household pets but also exotic animals and out of the ordinary. For example her in Napa they rescue birds or deer and with that I can have a view point of different reactions to their lifestyle.

A Change Of Heart About Animals Responce

Dear Rifkin,

            I have read your article “A Change of Heart about Animals” and I think that you make very good points. Many people believe that animals are objects and not creatures that feel emotions and are alert of their surrounds. I also have a strong belief that animals are much like humans in many ways. All animals might not have all the abilities as humans but they do acquire some. Everyday people mistreat animals and don’t pay attention to them as they should start recognizing their abilities.

            As your subtitle states, “many of our fellow creatures are more like us than we have ever imagined,” I believe the same. In your article it shows some examples on how different types of animals have certain human qualities. For example in the study of with pig funded by McDonalds at Purdue University, they found that if pigs are isolated they become depressed. The key word would be depressed. Depression is a loaded word that humans used in many situations but not always used in the correct sense. Another word that could have been used is sad or lonely but yet, there is still a possibility of depression. This links to feelings of a human being which also links to pain, happiness, and the whole nervous system.

            We can also link humans to how we see ourselves and think ourselves like you expressed in the study of the orangutan Chanteck. As humans on an everyday basis we groom ourselves and dress ourselves every day. When Chanteck viewed himself in the mirror he straightens himself up and fixed his sunglasses as we would also if they did not look correct. Self awareness is an everyday factor in human life that is proven to be in the animal species also. If an orangutan can realize that his sunglasses are on wrong and that he needs to get cleaned up there are so many more abilities within them.

            I believe that it is wrong killing off animals but at the same time it has been a part of our nature to do so. The only factor that disturbs me is that some do it in a cruel way when it should be painlessly and fast. Some people even do it intentionally for their own enjoyment and satisfaction. Humans and animals should be able to live a life where they are free of pain and have limitations as in having laws to express what is wrong and right. I think that many people do have to change their view of animals and treatment in many cases. Everyday a human and animals get abused and that is not right at all. We should appreciate the creatures surrounding us and the things they do in order to protect us. It might just be a dog saving your life next time. The world works in wonders.

            Sincerely,

            Alejandra Hernandez Bolanos

Senior Project Post

My senior project is based on animal rights and how an animal is supposed to be treated. These days many animals are neglected and treated in a manner that is unethical. They get beaten, starved and performed tests on the animals eyes and whole body.They deserve to have rights like humans do because they have feelings also. They have a bit of rights but they do not have many. These rights let them be broken and the animals suffer.I have gotten my mentor but I have not yet completed the mentor contract or the interview. I am waiting for the person who recommended him to me to give me his number so I can contact him myself because she had told me not to contact him until she instructed me to. I will be volunteering in the humane society for my community service hours. I am hoping that I would actually get to work with the animals and be able to learn on how they work. I also want to research on how to properly set up an environment for different types of pets and what are their necessities. I will aslo study their behaviors being in the humane society and how they use their body movements and facial expressions just like humans do. This will allow me to compare and contrast the aspects of humans and animals. I want to do this project because I’ve always had an interest on animals and protecting them in every way. I used to have fights with my father because he did not believe that animals are something that should be treated equally and I was. To this day I still believe that a person should make an animals life better not make it worse or even be born into an unstable place as would a child.

Into The Wild Final Discussion

Question #1:

Chris's mistakes before he went into Alaska were many. First of all, he did not know anything of Alaska in order to survive in those circumstances. Also he did not have any supplies with him to travel. He should have had an accurate map, tools, and common sense before going. He relied on his "dumb luck" throughout his journey. Also considering the facts that he would go back to the city he did have ways to survive surrounded by people. It might have not been people that would be seen working but they did help him out. Whenever he needed the help or money somehow a job would appear for him. Chris might have been book smart but definitely not street smart. Maybe if he would have used his books to learn about Alaska he might have gotten help again.


Question #3

In my opinion Chris's decision to leave his family was justified. He had lived his whole life pleasing his family with the average Joe type of life which he attended college and was extremely smart on his studies. Soon he found out the lies which he did not like and wanted to get away from civilization not just his family. McCandless did not exactly direct his pain toward them particularly towards them but everyone.  After all  he was going to achieve his dream of going to Alaska and he did make it. Chris might have not survived but he past away at his finish line. The only person whom I did not understand why he left contact with was his sister because he had said that she was really important to him. It might have been for the better but I felt her pain in not having him even speak a word to her while he was on his journey.

Obesity

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ZXQGAbnfsaVaHjxoz0N12NXjMaX8VYwr1SQ0QSEUJz4/edit

Obesity Comment Article

Disney’s Junk Food Crackdown

http://www.thedailybeast.com/newsweek/2012/06/10/disney-s-junk-food-crackdown.html

Gotten from the blogger b7blogger this article was about how television has been a cause in obesity. The advertisements have persuaded young children to go and eat fast food or persuade their parents to take them out to eat in a fast food place. Disney has been trying to lower the consumption in placed were they have high fat and sugar along side Michelle Obama and her campaign.  They say that kids spend too much time infront of a television while multitasking with a phone or his/her laptop. I knew that many kids watch a lot of television but I did not know that they spent so many hours on it. In my young ages I used to be outside playing in the park with my friends all day until the sun went on but many have changed so much over the time. What I did not know was that it was recommended only two hours a day to be infront of a television set and that it actually makes you gain weight. Including the snacks that children eat while watching television has a big impact on obesity and being on the track to getting type 2 diabetes when little kids are supposed to be out healthy, active and loving life.

Obesity

http://www.csmonitor.com/The-Culture/Family/Modern-Parenthood/2012/0925/Too-fat-to-fight-Is-childhood-obesity-a-national-security-threat

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/04/30/health/research/obesity-and-type-2-diabetes-cases-take-toll-on-children.html

http://www.cnbc.com/id/36073283

Influential Rap

There has been many influential rap over the past years especially in old school rap. They did not talk mostly about sex,drugs, and alcohol but on the hardship they have gone through over their years and their experiences that they had to face in order to be sucessful on life. Most started out in the ghetto like the bronx in New York. Most of many appear to be african american. Some examples may be 2pac, Nas, Ice Cube and Notorious B.I.G. that have true stories to tell and have great songs to explain what people go through and let them know that they are not alone. They also explain the hood life and social issues like the famous rapper common which also raps about relationships and spirtuality. Many might think that they are just ghetto people who do bad things in community but in reality they are just exposing the truth and letting people relate to their stories.

Greenhouse Essay

This is my essay on "Going for the Look" stating my opinion on Cohen's statement.
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1_rZJiD-8XdEgTLVOQpXnxWCfVpzGeuDvOrTLaOuoYTE/edit

Going for the Look

Many companies in these days create a certain look for their company. From comfy clothes to the most elegant dresses they decide on how the people working for them portray themselves. In the case of a company of Abercrombie & Fitch that's how they obtain their staff. They look at the people entering their clothing store and if someone looks like they would fit their look then they offer them a job without even knowing if they have any experience in retail or not, they simply have to have a certain image. 

In many ways this is wrong because someone can have a very bad background and they hire their just by their look. If they keep hiring the people who are attractive then if they get over staffed they will have to fire the less attractive people. Also it is a ruthless thing if they do hire less attractive people and they just throw them to the back of the place to do the stock and in a place where no one will be able to see them. 

Everyone should have an opportunity at a job if they know what they are doing and have a great interview and not just be looked at for how they look. People might not have the body to fit their look but they can promote their clothes in other ways also. They are just discriminating against people. By just choosing people with a certain hair, race or skin color they exclude them just because of that. It has also became a part of how society is turning now and that is not a good thing. People need to learn what is on the inside is what is important not what they appear like.