Phoebe Prince

This article, “What really happened to Phoebe Prince,” by Emily Bazelon was a really eye opening article. I never thought that the outcome of bullying could be so horrible still. I think it was good that this article was published to educate people, like me, about Phoebe Prince’s experience and how much bullying can affect someone and their life decisions. Bazelon shows us how schools need to do more when it comes to bullying. Some schools know that bullying is taking place but are still not taking any action toward preventing it. From reading this article I think that all the students involved shouldn’t be all criminally prosecuted but there should be some step taken to show them the wrongs they have done. Bullying is taking place everyone and this needs to show students the consequences that can happen if you are caught in the act of bullying someone. If a student is being bullied I think they should talk to someone and not just keep it in. Schools need to take action also to make sure bullying is not present and that students know that they have a place they can go and feel safe and not scared. Bullying should not be taking place at all because I am pretty sure no one would like to be treated this way. It is sad to see that some people do not care if they bully others and think that it is okay to be like this. Bullying is still happening right now around the world and needs to come to a stop. Phoebe Prince was just one of the students that have committed suicide due to bullying and this should so others the affects and should teach others how wrong the act of bullying is wrong.

"Church of Reason?"

Phaedrus was a member of the English department that thinks that the University is like the “Church of Reason.” This all started when a professor was prohibited from speaking on the University because they did not have the statement “cleared through the college public-relations office.” This is not right because professors are supposed to speak and give speeches and for them to have to get their speeches cleared by the public-relations office is kind of absurd. The legislatures are making ridiculous laws now, like for every student that does not pass the college has a fine of eight thousand dollars, or that now funds for colleges are being cut. Phaedrus tells us that there are two types of Universities and that at the “real University” there is no specific location and that the second University is a legal corporation where they do not “generate new knowledge or evaluate ideas.” Phaedrus says that the University is like the “Church of Reason,” because just like a church that was sold and now is a bar, Universities are supposed to be for learning purposes and now they are a place people go just to go and “socialize” and sometimes “party.” Phaedrus says that Universities have changed and aren’t what they used to be. I think from my experience so far, the University has its ways. If you want to go to a University just to party and not take your school education seriously then that is your choice, but you can go to a University and take it seriously and do good in it.

Rehab..Cures Addiction? Or Not?

In Maia Szalavitz’s, “Teen Drug Rehab Cure Addiction or Create It?” Maia shows how rehab centers and different treatments do not always work and help cure addiction but sometimes instead can worsen the situation. Many addicts go into rehab or some type of treatment for their addiction and end up actually coming out worse than they were or end up learning about something new to try from the other individuals in the group or treatment location. I think someone who might oppose to this article may think that many drug addicts can get better if they put their minds to it. They might say that people can get better from their drug addict or some might even oppose that no matter what you can never get better from your addiction. Rehab and treatment for teen drug addiction is not the only way for parents to help their children out who may be spiraling into drug addiction. I think parents should talk to their children face to face and see where they are coming from and why they are doing what they are doing. One on one therapy tends to work out more than group therapy or rehab. Parents should try making the child see a counselor who is not just there to make money and can only see the child for an hour only. Parents are concerned about their children and their child’s wellbeing, so I think that sometimes it is necessary for parents to over-react when their child is taking drugs or alcohol. I don’t think parents should over-react too much if they find out their child is using these things because some kids can get offended so their parents should talk to them about it instead of going straight and yelling at them. Maia also shows us that drug addiction is a problem for many teens and they should try to not get themselves into these situations or find help getting out of these addictions before it is too late.

Let them drink water!

In Daniel Engber's, "Let Them Drink Water! What a Fat Tax Really Means for America", is an article trying to tie people into the idea of “fat tax.” Since we are about to spend about $1 trillion on health care on our second-most expensive war, Engber’s explains to us how commentators want to put tax on fat people and the junky foods and soft drinks that we eat and drink every day. They are thinking of adding tax on junk foods and soft drinks so that consumers will soon decrease their spending amounts on these items and even make the people in America with “health, wealth, and obesity.” I am guessing they think that obesity is a big problem in America and think that if they add taxes to these junky items, people will not buy them as much and overeating and diabetes rates will decline. Engber states that junk food is like cigarettes and we can get addicted to them. We sometimes just eat for pleasure and this is what makes us fat. Companies are trying to persuade the consumers to eat and buy the products and design and make the foods look good for us to want it. Engber thinks that these “sugar sweetened beverages are not necessary for survival” and we could always just drink water which is free or little cost and is not destructive like these other products we put into our bodies. Raising taxes to these things will make people not want them and will help people and their health. Daniel Engber explains that “fat tax” will mostly affect “mostly the nonwhite people who drink a lot of soft drinks and most sensitive to prices” and I think this is unfair because it is not right that it will be beneficial to the rich people. This article was kind of bias and I think they should think of another way of getting money rather than focusing on the obese people and the foods we eat almost every day for snacks. Yes, there not necessary for survival but sometimes those are the only foods and drinks available around when you’re hungry or thirsty at most places.