The elite people who have the power to help the man with Parkinson's do not make an attempt to help either due to his or her greed and selfish agenda or because of his or her fear in getting punished by the system. The people with power and the people benefiting from the system are one in the same. These people do not want to jeopardize their comfortable positions by resisting the system, or they do not look beyond their comfort to recognize the cruelty the system is inflicting on others. I believe that the man should receive his home back and only have to pay what was left of the mortgage. It is easier to act morally correct when not affiliated with the system because you have not conformed to the corrupt ways of the system and the system has no leverage on you.
Humans are inherently greedy, and when they get power they automatically want to sustain this level AND gain more power. This human nature I believe is due to he comfort and security power instills in humans. To have power is to be in control, and it is better to be in control of your life and of things that effect you than to be reliant on others. The danger in relying on others goes back to the natural greed in people: relying on someone gives them power, and it turns into a cycle of power hungry antics. We see this acted out in Stanford's experiment. The police officers were given power, to keep this power, they enforce it through terror. The prisoners were given a role of reliance. They conformed to this role because this is what they have been taught to do.
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
Sunday, October 28, 2007
The Wicked Servant
"A chain is only as strong as it's weakest link"
A system is made up of many small parts. The individual parts work on different tasks and have individual agendas that in theory relate to the system's larger goal. The sum of all these parts add up to the system, which is only as beneficial, and ethical as it's parts. Systems, particularly those that claim to be beneficent, are in reality self-serving, and unethical due to selfish members of the system, and the initial reason that the system was set up. The wicked tenant was the weak link in the client king's system. Initially it was a system of terror and manipulation, but the client king was trying to change it into a morally correct one. Since King is law (Rex Lex) all members of the system should have followed his example. Yet the servant did not, attempting to gain power when the Client King showed mercy, and in turn showed weakness. The servant was thinking selfishly when the system's success relied on him acting selflessly. In Hurricane Katrina the beneficent system that was set prior to the tragedy did not end up serving the people. This is because when the system was set up the primary intention behind it was not to help people in times of crisis but rather to use it as a campaign and popularity device. State of emergency declarations was not addressed in this plan to save face. When a concrete crisis occurred, the plan did not hold because the initial intention and priority of the system was not to help people in need.
As a table, generate one original, insightful idea about systems that helps us understand how and why they often cause so much harm.
A system is not a concrete item but rather a theoretical idea of how many people function together. The intention behind systems is to include and benefit all that are apart of it, but in reality systems only benefit an elite few. People are so willing to join systems because an illusion of complete inclusiveness is set up by the system for the purpose of marketing. For example Saint Mary's has a pamphlet of marketing illusions portraying the school as benefiting all. In reality the school excludes students. Because of this illusion, members of a system begin relying on it to fulfill it's promises. Systems harm it's members when it does not meet these expectation.
A system is made up of many small parts. The individual parts work on different tasks and have individual agendas that in theory relate to the system's larger goal. The sum of all these parts add up to the system, which is only as beneficial, and ethical as it's parts. Systems, particularly those that claim to be beneficent, are in reality self-serving, and unethical due to selfish members of the system, and the initial reason that the system was set up. The wicked tenant was the weak link in the client king's system. Initially it was a system of terror and manipulation, but the client king was trying to change it into a morally correct one. Since King is law (Rex Lex) all members of the system should have followed his example. Yet the servant did not, attempting to gain power when the Client King showed mercy, and in turn showed weakness. The servant was thinking selfishly when the system's success relied on him acting selflessly. In Hurricane Katrina the beneficent system that was set prior to the tragedy did not end up serving the people. This is because when the system was set up the primary intention behind it was not to help people in times of crisis but rather to use it as a campaign and popularity device. State of emergency declarations was not addressed in this plan to save face. When a concrete crisis occurred, the plan did not hold because the initial intention and priority of the system was not to help people in need.
As a table, generate one original, insightful idea about systems that helps us understand how and why they often cause so much harm.
A system is not a concrete item but rather a theoretical idea of how many people function together. The intention behind systems is to include and benefit all that are apart of it, but in reality systems only benefit an elite few. People are so willing to join systems because an illusion of complete inclusiveness is set up by the system for the purpose of marketing. For example Saint Mary's has a pamphlet of marketing illusions portraying the school as benefiting all. In reality the school excludes students. Because of this illusion, members of a system begin relying on it to fulfill it's promises. Systems harm it's members when it does not meet these expectation.
Sunday, October 21, 2007
Homework: Read Parable of the Unmerciful Servant in Matthew 18:21-35. Answer the following four questions in prose format (each answer should be about 100 words). 1) Who is the story about? Who is the main character? The King or the high level servant? Why? 2) Why does the King decide to forgive the debt? 3) Why does the servant not follow the example of the king and forgive the debt? 4) If the Kingdom of God is like this parable, then what do we learn about the Kingdom of God?
The story of the Unmerciful Servant was told by Jesus to teach Peter about the Kingdom of Heaven, so the story is about the Kingdom of Heaven. The main character in the Parable of the Unmerciful Servant in the king. The king is a round character, changing from the beginning of the story to the end. At first, the king is harsh and terrorizes his servant who owed him money. But after the servant asked for mercy, the king had pity on him. But when the king found out about the servants terrorizing of another, he tortured him. The King went from being terrorizing, to understanding, back to terrorizing.
The King decides to forgive the debt because he became sympathetic to the servant. At first the king threatened to take the servants wife and children away. But the servant pleaded with him, promising that with patience, the king's debt would be repaid. This is when the king took pity on him. The reasons behind the king's actions was because the king wanted to set an example to the servant. Just as the king took pity on the servant, he wanted the servant to take pity on others and treat them with the same manner.
The servant does not follow the king's orders because he has promised the king he will pay him back. When he came across a lower level servant who owes him money, he treats him without sympathy because of his responsibility to pay the king back. The money he has the potential to acquire from the lowly servant could be put towards his debt to the king. The higher level servant, although having been treated with kindness from the king, has seen his wrath and does not want to face it again. Therefore he does not consider the King's kindness but his cruetly, and demands repayment.
In the Kingdom of God you get what you give. "Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us" relates to this. This means the way you treat others is the treatment you will in turn recieve. Just as the higher level servant treated the lower level servent with cruelty and unsympathetically, he was then treated the same by the King. But, at first the higher level servant was treated with kindness when he asked for it, and without his kindness. This also tells us that the Kingdom of God gives when asked and gives without question.
The story of the Unmerciful Servant was told by Jesus to teach Peter about the Kingdom of Heaven, so the story is about the Kingdom of Heaven. The main character in the Parable of the Unmerciful Servant in the king. The king is a round character, changing from the beginning of the story to the end. At first, the king is harsh and terrorizes his servant who owed him money. But after the servant asked for mercy, the king had pity on him. But when the king found out about the servants terrorizing of another, he tortured him. The King went from being terrorizing, to understanding, back to terrorizing.
The King decides to forgive the debt because he became sympathetic to the servant. At first the king threatened to take the servants wife and children away. But the servant pleaded with him, promising that with patience, the king's debt would be repaid. This is when the king took pity on him. The reasons behind the king's actions was because the king wanted to set an example to the servant. Just as the king took pity on the servant, he wanted the servant to take pity on others and treat them with the same manner.
The servant does not follow the king's orders because he has promised the king he will pay him back. When he came across a lower level servant who owes him money, he treats him without sympathy because of his responsibility to pay the king back. The money he has the potential to acquire from the lowly servant could be put towards his debt to the king. The higher level servant, although having been treated with kindness from the king, has seen his wrath and does not want to face it again. Therefore he does not consider the King's kindness but his cruetly, and demands repayment.
In the Kingdom of God you get what you give. "Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us" relates to this. This means the way you treat others is the treatment you will in turn recieve. Just as the higher level servant treated the lower level servent with cruelty and unsympathetically, he was then treated the same by the King. But, at first the higher level servant was treated with kindness when he asked for it, and without his kindness. This also tells us that the Kingdom of God gives when asked and gives without question.
Thursday, October 18, 2007
Executive Summary
Didn't the UN create the State of Israel? Why not a state of Palestine too? Why doesn't it now?
The UN did create the State of Israel after Britain gave up responsibility for it. The proposition declared that two states would be created, one Jewish and one Arab. But the state of Palestine never seceded due to the nonstrategic placing of the borders. The places the UN reserved for Israel was heavily populated with Arabs. The UN now can't create a Palestinian state because the US keeps the issue off the agenda.
Why is Israel so often criticized in the UN? Aren't other countries just as guilty of human rights violations?
Israel is so often criticized because they are considered to be forcefully occupying Palestine, so their attacks on civil ins directly go against universal law. Israel also considers themselves a "Western State" thereby comparing themselves to high standards, such as the standards the United States has. If the U.S. attacked civilians daily they would be harshly criticized as well.
What is the role of the UN in the Middle East these days? Why isn't the UN in charge of the overall peace progress?
Currently the UN has no role in the Middle East. This is due to United States. Israel and the United States have economic and political relations. This began when the United States accepted Israels demand that the UN stay out of the Oslo peace conference. In later peace negotiations the UN was said to be irrelevant because they were not needed in the Oslo peace conference. The United States continues to prevent the UN from involving themselves in the Israeli and Palestinian problem, vetoing bills that would help and changing the itinerary of meetings.
The UN did create the State of Israel after Britain gave up responsibility for it. The proposition declared that two states would be created, one Jewish and one Arab. But the state of Palestine never seceded due to the nonstrategic placing of the borders. The places the UN reserved for Israel was heavily populated with Arabs. The UN now can't create a Palestinian state because the US keeps the issue off the agenda.
Why is Israel so often criticized in the UN? Aren't other countries just as guilty of human rights violations?
Israel is so often criticized because they are considered to be forcefully occupying Palestine, so their attacks on civil ins directly go against universal law. Israel also considers themselves a "Western State" thereby comparing themselves to high standards, such as the standards the United States has. If the U.S. attacked civilians daily they would be harshly criticized as well.
What is the role of the UN in the Middle East these days? Why isn't the UN in charge of the overall peace progress?
Currently the UN has no role in the Middle East. This is due to United States. Israel and the United States have economic and political relations. This began when the United States accepted Israels demand that the UN stay out of the Oslo peace conference. In later peace negotiations the UN was said to be irrelevant because they were not needed in the Oslo peace conference. The United States continues to prevent the UN from involving themselves in the Israeli and Palestinian problem, vetoing bills that would help and changing the itinerary of meetings.
#3: Great Britain gave up their responsibility of the issue over to the UN due to the growing violence of underground Jewish groups. The UN agreed on a proposal to partition Palestine, which the Palestinians rejected. Israel declared independence and created their own state which Arabs invaded.
#4:In 1967 both Arab states and Egypt, Syria, and Jordon were planning on attacking the new state of Israel. But critics say that these countries did not make the first move towards violence. The 6 Days war occur ed and Israel captured more land and defeated all enemies.
#5:In 1973 Egypt and Syria had a surprise attach against Israel. This caused the Israeli leaders to realize the need to negotiate with the Arab leaders due to the strength of the attack. Both the PLO and Arab leaders showed first signs in the want to settle disputes.
#6:In 1987 Palestinians were tired of living under Israeli occupation and broke into rebellion. The Israeli government was divided-their Prime Minister who eventually sympathized with the Palestinians and Defense Minister. More Israelis eventually decided that there was a need for peace with Palestine. The Oslo peace agreement was signed by both Palestinians and Israelis in America.
#7:Oslo peace agreement did not work due to an assassination of Israeli Prime Minister and a series of suicide bombings. Clinton tried a final attempt at peace, bringing both Palestinian and Israeli leaders. This did not suceed.
#4:In 1967 both Arab states and Egypt, Syria, and Jordon were planning on attacking the new state of Israel. But critics say that these countries did not make the first move towards violence. The 6 Days war occur ed and Israel captured more land and defeated all enemies.
#5:In 1973 Egypt and Syria had a surprise attach against Israel. This caused the Israeli leaders to realize the need to negotiate with the Arab leaders due to the strength of the attack. Both the PLO and Arab leaders showed first signs in the want to settle disputes.
#6:In 1987 Palestinians were tired of living under Israeli occupation and broke into rebellion. The Israeli government was divided-their Prime Minister who eventually sympathized with the Palestinians and Defense Minister. More Israelis eventually decided that there was a need for peace with Palestine. The Oslo peace agreement was signed by both Palestinians and Israelis in America.
#7:Oslo peace agreement did not work due to an assassination of Israeli Prime Minister and a series of suicide bombings. Clinton tried a final attempt at peace, bringing both Palestinian and Israeli leaders. This did not suceed.
Monday, October 8, 2007
Tenant Farmers
Jesus' parable of the wicked tenants illustrates the action he thought must be taken against oppressors. The "wicked" tenant farmers in the parable were oppressed by the rich man. He took their land and hurt their way of life by creating a vineyard-a commercial crop that did not provide sustainable food for the tenants. In response to the brutality the tenant farmers retaliated by refusing to give up what little they had. This eventually lead to violence and murder. ALthough the parable included violent acts, Jesus did not endorse this idea. He, rather showed that violence only led to a cycle of more violence. He illustrated this through the final actions of the rich man-killing the tenant farmers. Jesus' true message is that you should stand up to your oppressors. During the time Jesus told this parable, the Jewish people were being oppressed not only by the Romans, but by the Jewish high priests too-their own people. Just as the tenant farmers were being oppressed by the rich man- a devout Jew. Jesus' true message is shown through the verses 10-12. "The stone that the builders reject shall become the head corner stone." The tenant farmers were rejected by the rich man, just as the Jewish people were being rejected. In response to this, Jesus was trying to teach the ignored Jewish people to stand up for themselves. You can determine this by the want of arresting Jesus. By standing up for themselves, through non-violent acts, the oppressed can become the "head cornerstone."
Monday, October 1, 2007
Letter to Senator
When making your decision about the Acts, "Education for All Acts," "Global Child Survival Act," "GROWTH Act," and "Jubilee Act" please consider the 10 million children who die before they reach the age of five, the 3 billion people who live off of two dollars a day, and the little help we as a nation are to them. Now please act in support of these bills.
America as one of the most developed nations has done a horrifyingly poor job at sending aid. In 2003, America sent eight dollars a person to foreign aid whereas Luxembourg sent $357 per person. Thirty-six cents of every U.S. dollar sent was phantom aid, that is aid that gave no benefit to the poverty stricken people. As a nation, we spend $50 billion on cigarettes, $11 billion on perfume, and $17 billion on pet food. We should be ashamed at where our priorities lie and work towards change. You can start by passing these bills.
America as one of the most developed nations has done a horrifyingly poor job at sending aid. In 2003, America sent eight dollars a person to foreign aid whereas Luxembourg sent $357 per person. Thirty-six cents of every U.S. dollar sent was phantom aid, that is aid that gave no benefit to the poverty stricken people. As a nation, we spend $50 billion on cigarettes, $11 billion on perfume, and $17 billion on pet food. We should be ashamed at where our priorities lie and work towards change. You can start by passing these bills.
What should we do?
Global poverty is an issue that is not addressed. To help ultimately prevent it, we as a class should help educate and enlighten people. A website said that all major progress in the world has had the support of students. Before this class I had, truthfully, zero knowledge about any type of solution to global poverty or specifically Africa, and very little knowledge about the actual problems. But learning about firstly, the problems and secondly and most importantly a solution has given me hope and motivation. These in turn has helped me to take action. So as a class I believe we should start by spreading knowledge. Because how can anyone solve problems when they do not know them in the beginning. Then we should take action by contacting our representative and pressuring them with our opinions towards change. If we decide to raise money, we can do so by foregoing "luxuries" such as buying water when you can walk to the water fountain, or drinking soda. The money we get from that should be put into reliable charities or organizations who will use it well and effectively. But in the short-time we have together as a class, I believe our efforts are best used educating others.
Mustard Seed
The mustard seed is a weed. As a seed it is small and overlooked. Yet when it grows, it becomes huge and aggressive -"Once sown it is scarcely possible to get the place free of it"-Pliny the Elder. Farmers therefore hate it because it sucks up all the nutrients in the soil from their other crops. There is a comparison between the mustard seed to the Kingdom of God. Like the mustard seed, the KOG may be unwanted because it sucks up our attention from all else. Like the seed, it starts small, but grows into an intrusive, consuming aspect of peoples lives.
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