Shenanigans!!!!!

Onions January 6, 2013

onions are delicious

Perished are… August 20, 2012

“Perished are the speeches and vanished are the allusions; nothing benefited us except the prostrations which we made in the middle of the night.” (Al Junayd, Dear Beloved Son by Imam Al Ghazali)

Man’s Search for Meaning (Reaction) November 8, 2009

The extent to which humans can hold to life: Limitless?
The lack of any meaning of life is highlighted to an extreme extent in Frankl’s Man’s Search for Meaning; deprivation of health, a sexual relationship, family, and happiness sparks confusion as to why the majority of depressed captives chose to persevere and hold to life. But, not only are the essential aspects of purposeful living taken from victims. They are also brutally tortured, physically—most were forced to work under ruthless conditions with little protection from frostbite and hypothermia, and most were also beaten for random, petty reasons. Choosing to live with suppressed mental health emphasizes the strong, innate human will to cherish values; obstinately fastening oneself to that choice under pitiable living conditions demonstrates the strength of human spirit and the common magnitude of improbable hopes. The difference between death and an agonizing life is based on the existential perception of each helpless individual—some view life in the concentration camps are a choice between a quick death and a protracted, miserable life that eventually ends in death. Frankl does not criticize those who choose suicide; he praises and analyzes those who choose life over death.

In the viewpoint of some suicidal hostages, working for Nazis is tantamount to working against their opponents; not all who selected “the easy way out” weighed their decision on persisting under conditions that could not guarantee happiness in the end. In addition, personal predicaments could have suggested a higher chance of death: Those prone to work accidents and diseases based on disabilities or previous experience with weak immune systems might have considered options and weighed more toward the a quick death. But despite these conditions, the vast majorities choose to struggle to survive.

The power of the human spirit is fascinating, and through his experiences in the concentration camps, Frankl allows the deepest magnitude of insight of the depth to which a human could go to preserve his life. Frankl reviews how the prisoners manage to move on, day by passing day, drawing attention to surprising methods that provided for the only source of happiness, no matter how fleeting and temporary. Many supported their dubious hopes with a religious foundation. There were occasions where sparse gatherings would allow captives to sing buoyant songs and recite optimistic poems, kindling lighthearted, futuristic thoughts. Talk of politics, regardless of its uncertainty, helped the workers believe they had better chances at leaving the concentration camps alive as well. Frankl provides an anecdote where he would try to keep humor at the forefront of conversation while working, which, for the most part, would concern ideal and futuristic life. In effect, frequent humor would overlap and cover up melancholy feelings of nostalgia.

These prisoners, trapped against their will in abominable conditions of the concentration camps: Why did they choose to survive? Unrelenting hope. How did they survive? Upbeat futuristic distractions. The Nazi’s took their meaning of life; they gave themselves a purpose for living. Frankl lived to tell the story.

asas October 23, 2009

fMohammad Qadri Period 5 AP US Government and Politics Green Federalist No. 43 Federalist Paper No. 43, written at the time by future president James Madison, discusses several miscellaneous issues in regard to the Constitution. Madison structures his argument by listing nine different statements conferring different powers to the government, which are set in the 4th class. After listing each statement, he delves into an explanation and justification for its purpose within the republic. In particular, his discussion focuses on the federal relationship and the role and extent of central control over the states. Madison bases the crux of his various arguments on the strength of the federal system, and its ability to quell the disruptions and conflicts that occur between its subdivisions, otherwise known as the states. Furthermore, some of the powers discussed involve individual rights and foreign affairs. The nine issues covered are intellectual patents, the building of federal infrastructure within states, treason, the creation of new states, protection of U.S. territory, protection of the states, debts, ratification of amendments, and the ratification of the United States itself. The discussion of debts, patents, and treason are more individual issues, and ensure that the rights of the people are protected and accounted for. Madison states that the licensing of scientific inventions and ideas is a part of Great Britain’s common law, and thus should be implemented in the United States as well. Like the right to trial by jury, it is an idea that has been carried over into the republic. Madison also defends the country’s payment of debts accumulated before the adoption of the Constitution as valid, conveying that despite their lack of immediate benefit to the U.S. with foreign nations, their payment will establish a precedent for the payment of debts on both sides and domestically as well. Lastly, his discussion of treason states that it is a punishable crime, but the constitution contains a fixed, specific definition of the crime that must be adhered to, and Congress is liable for a failure to do so. The other seven issues covered largely cover the extent of federal power over the states and some of their responsibilities. Madison establishes the right for the government to establish various “needful buildings” as it sees fit within the various states, as separate government property that cannot be interfered with, such as forts, arsenals, and dockyards. Points 3-6 form the body of his paper, and involve state creation, rights, and protection. Madison ensures that no state, if added to the United States, will rob another state of its land, or will be created based on the division a preexisting one. In addition, he also mentions that no other territory of the U.S. will be “prejudiced” against, and will be given its due right as well, even if not currently an official state. This core value of equality in treatment is an assurance to concerned states that they will not be neglected by the larger government. Madison then delves into his longest argument, over the protection of states and their republican governments. As the federal government possesses congress and the senate, so do the states contain their own legislative and representative bodies. Madison offers the idea of using state representatives to solve conflicts that may emerge between states, referring to them as a means toward “the universal peace of mankind!” He presents thought-provoking ideas regarding the fate of previous republican attempts. Both Ancient Greece and the German confederation failed, as their states and cities grew further and further apart from one another. For the United States, he foresees a Republican form of government, where within each state, there is an individual republic as well. In another example of the federal balancing act, this is a measure designed to give the states a degree of freedom. He states that they are free to implement their own laws and rules in their respective locales, so long as they do not contradict the major principles of the Constitution. Lastly, he grapples with ratification, arguing that both in the case of amendments and the constitution itself, there is no need for a unanimous decision, but rather an appropriate majority. The “caprice” of individual states is once more a concern, and Madison makes a strong case against giving too much power to any single dissenter. The arguments presented in Federal Papers No. 43 adequately explain Madison’s position regarding the federal government. His defense of the central government revolves around the idea that if one state or lone wolf loses control or veers in a destructive direction, the rest of the nation is not obligated to suffer as well, but rather, is ensured protection and . The constitution could have offered more incentives to states and given them greater power, likely pleasing them, but keeping a tight reign over their control is a necessary measure to maintain balance in the government. This issue of balance, or compromise, appears time and time again throughout the argument and the Constitution as a whole. Who will perform what duty within the government? What can the states do and what functions can the federal government perform? Madison mentions the “caprice or corruption of a single member” when presenting his defense of the ratification process of the constitution (where he states that the vote of 9 out of 13 states is sufficient) as further evidence of this argument, even when it comes to establishing law. If the republic actually needed unanimous consensus on all issues, establishing new laws and amendments would become nearly impossible. Seeking the agreement of a large or significant majority, instead of an utterly cohesive majority, is within reason, and provides for the effective advancement of government work. This argument logically extends to the issues of domestic tranquility. States simply cannot be given unbridled military or political control, if there is a great potential that it will lead to the oppression of other states. Thus, the delegation of the duty of protection falls largely into the hands of the federal government, which is by many means, effective. The federal government can provide equal protection for each state from foreign powers and neighboring invaders. For example, if Canada posed a threat to states in the North, and perhaps Natives or Spaniards caused conflict in the South and West, the federal government could deploy troops appropriately. Equal protection for each state keeps the body as a whole unified, and is the most just solution for a nation of expanding size and reach. And giving the states freedom over their own governments (to a Constitutionally-bound extent) is an even better means of unification. The country is geographically, economically, and socially diverse. The constitution gives an overarching general set of principles for the nation to abide by, but the presence of individual republic governments is what allows for differentiation. On the local level, states can appropriately handle the issues that affect them, rather than the nation as a whole. To this day, this is essential, and affects everything from driving licenses, to zoning laws, and education to taxes. The states, despite a significant degree of federal control, can feel that they too possess individual freedoms and can implement their own ideas. The principle of balance – never giving one branch of the government and populace of the nation greater power over the other, provides for the establishment of justice, and forges the tranquility needed for a nation to function as a whole.

Colleges & stuff. October 4, 2009

Short little post ~ I’m just wondering what colleges you guys are applying to, or looking at because they’re interesting. Me,

California Institute of Technology
University of Illinois(in Urbana)
Georgia Institute of Technology
Purdue University–West Lafayette
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
SUNY Binghamton

Basically the 1 reach, 4 fit, and 1 backup. It’d be nice to stay in the EST Time Zone~ “fit” colleges are in order of favorite less favorite (they all look good though).

Oh yeah, looking to major in either Aerospace Engineering or Software Engineering (I’ll probably go for a Computer Science degree though and major in Aerospace) ~ maybe Mechanical or Electrical Engineering, but those aren’t really in the plan.

NHS 2009-10 Schedules~ August 27, 2009

Fall:
Period 1:
AP English Lit. (Mansfield): Thomas, Crew, Rachel
AP Spanish (Jara): Waleed, Brandon, Spencer
AP Italian: Salvatore

Period 2:
AP Calculus BC (Fomina): Thomas, Waleed, Brandon, Spencer, Salvatore (OH YEAH)
AP Calculus AB (Rieger): Crew, Rachel <-noobs

Period 3:
Band 11-12/Chorus/Orchestra: Thomas, Brandon, Robin, Salvatore, Rachel
College Acct:Crew
Free/Gym: Waleed
Free: Spencer

Period 4:
AP Statistics (Curran): Thomas
AP English Lit. (Mansfield): Waleed, Brandon, Salvatore
Computer Programming Independent Studies (Rieger): Spencer, Crew

Period 5:
AP US Gov & Pol (Green): Waleed, Spencer, Salvatore
Free: Brandon, Crew, Thomas, Rachel

Period 6:
AP Psychology (Daddino): Thomas, Waleed, Spencer
Astronomy (Wtf?): Brandon
AP Art: Crew
AP Computer Science: Rachel, Salvatore

Period 7:
AP Chemistry (Schroeder): Waleed, Salvatore
AP English (Manfsield): Spencer
AP US Gov & Pol (Green): Crew, Thomas, Rachel

Period 8:
AP Bio / AP Chem: Waleed
Phys Ed / AP Chem (Schroeder): Salvatore
AP Chem (Schroeder) / Phys Ed: Brandon, Spencer, Thomas, Rachel
Phys Ed / AP Physics: Crew

Period 9:
AP Chemistry (Schroeder): Brandon, Spencer, Thomas, Rachel
Phys Ed / AP Physics: Crew
AP Bio: Waleed

Add your name or comment~!
Random classes may be on here, but its so that when/if you change your schedule you should be able to see what classes are at what periods – it might help.

There’s AP Bio btw, and teacher for Gym doesn’t really matter I guess. These are schedules before changing them, and are here for the purpose of changing easier.