Although debtor prisons were outlawed in 1830, more than a third of US prisons allow people to be jailed for failing to pay debts or bills. Recently a breast cancer survivor was arrested and served time for failing to pay a medical bill. Under the charges those arrested aren't serving time for "failing to pay debts," but for failing to respond appropriately to their collection agency or courts and are held in contempt of court. A loophole like this, while now under criticism, is a danger to American rights in society. Although getting money back is a demanding issue for collection agencies, the Supreme Court ruled it unconstitutional to imprison those too poor to pay their debts. An issue like this should be put to an immediate stop.

Alan Sheirter. Jailed for $280- The Return of Debtors Prisons. finance.yahoo.com. 2012. 26 April 2012.http://finance.yahoo.com/news/jailed-for--280--the-return-of-debtors--prisons.html

The start of chapter 33 definitely didnt have a boring introduction. Starting with quite a twist, the book never slowed down. In fact the plot moved so fast, I honestly cant say that I understand the symbolism of the characters. At first I thought I understood the tiger, in accordance with Ravi's tiger and lamb analogy.. but then when the Hyena's and Zebra were introduced my mind was blown. That is unless the story is simply just about a boy stranded with a tiger on a boat. So here is a cry for help about the underlying meaning of the book?!
But aside from the argument, I love this author. Although his material isn't always humorous he seems to find the humor in alot of situations. And although this maybe wasnt meant as humor I couldnt help but laugh at Pi crying and cursing "Jesus, Muhammed!" Overall, once i understand it more fully I would love to see where the book goes.

In a such a weakened economy it is no wonder that 1 in every 2 new college graduates are jobless. The terrifying statistics state that more college graduates are forced to settle for jobs that don't fully use their knowledge or their skills, and instead choose to settle for jobs as waiters or baristas. Although it is true that the average student that goes to college makes more money than a highschool grad, this case is not always true. The failing economy is allowing more and more students to accumulate college debt with no way to pay it off.
Personally an article like this is especially scary as I begin to reach the end of my highschool career. It would be nothing short of a nightmare to accumulate massive amounts of college debt only to go right back into the workforce that I would have been in without any extra education. Hopefully the economy will improve, but just in case I plan to get a broad major that is applicable to many fields so I can be the 1 in every 2 that does have a job.

Valdes, Manuel. "One in Two Graduates are Jobless or Unempoyed". www.finance.yahoo.com. 22 April 2012. Web. 22 April 2012

Life of Pi (pg1-100)

I read the Life of Pi once in the seventh grade, and am amazed at how much more I grasped in the book than I did four years ago, although the underlying meaning is still elusive to me. However, as I have read the book before the very basic plotline is with me and so I did see some foreshadowing that was interesting to me.
The first moment that Pi really reflects on his journey is on pg9 when a man remarks on his terrible table manners. This realization of his uncivilized manner cuts Pi very deeply, and so you begin to see a very educated and well informed individual take character. One other thing I noticed was how (also on pg.9) Pi remarks that his parents dont like water, but it is his gift. His uncle presents him this gift, although his parents don't understand it, ironically then the journey surrounds water. Although the relation may have not been intentional I felt that there was a relation between water and religion, both things that are bizarre to his parents and will take him on a unique journey.
I also feel that Pi's connection to the animals is important to the plotline. Each animal is dangerous and must be regarded as such, each element in nature should be carefully considered or it will bring pain. He takes careful notice not to regard any animal as human but gives each animal bits of personification and personality. It is strange that although Pi cares so much about religion he also loves animals which have no interest in religious matters.

Ending of Farenheight 451

The final two chapters of farenheight 451 were, to be honest, somewhat depressing and sad. Yet at the same time the point made by the book is clear, while technology advances society it can also be it's demise. The dehumanized society in which Montag lives in is free of all intelligence. However, living by the idea that ignorance is bliss corrupts morality and the joy of living life. The quote, "maybe the books can get us out of the cave"  ( 74) perfectly demonstrates Montag's dilemma. With the quote, Bradbury eludes to Plato's alegory of a cave. In the Allegory of a Cave the characters are restrained by ignorance as well, and when Montag tries to educate Mildred's friends they are frightened and disbelieving. Although politically and socially intelligence had been looked down upon, it was in fact human nature that drove the race to rely on such convenient technology instead of building lasting relationships or relying on emotion. Eventually, the technology in which humans set out to create dehumanized the self. Although the point of Bradbury's fiction society is happiness, emotion is the very thing that eludes all members of the dystopian world. The reliance on technology can never satisfy human thirst for need, and technology can never love. Without human interaction and educated thought life is meaningless.