So how about this class? I have really enjoyed it this semester. Honestly, it’s probably one of the best classes I’ll ever take. We took a lot of notes and learned a lot, and I totally didn’t mind it at all. I feel that we could have gone more into debates, but what we did was fantastic.
I personally have greatly enjoyed snack time. It’s more than just having tasty treats in the middle of class, it shows that we as students can get along with a teacher and somehow manage to bring back this 2nd grade tradition. We organized it ourselves; we got the snacks ourselves, and still kept a decent classroom environment and learned a good amount.
Having a teacher as close in age to us isn’t vital, but it for sure helps. The fact that we grew up watching some of the same cartoons is unbelievable. It’s nice to be taught be someone who understands us to some degree. On top that, Ms. Linden is just ridiculously chill.
This class has taught me so much that I use in everyday life. For example, we had a neighbor who was less than happy about our dog, so she came over and started knocking on the door. When we said, “we’ll do what we can to keep her quiet” this woman flipped. She said that she has a right to a quiet neighborhood and would have the dog put down if we did not comply. Well, I knew that she was crazy, and would need solid proof to do so. I don’t know that we actually directly learned about that exactly, but just by virtue of being in the class, I think through the mind of a lawful human being.
This class has changed my life. I made new friends, like Erez. I discovered the in’s and out’s of life. I now truly know what it is to have a good time while learning.
When I look back at my high school career, this is going to be a class that for sure will stick in my mind forever. The awkward moments, the great snacks, the fun assignments, the blogs, and the day your fiancé visited. All moments to remember forever.
What I think I will always treasure is the fact that I always looked forward to being in my legal issues class; a rare occurrence among classes. I never thought to myself “Oh crap, I gotta go to legal today, what a drag.” There wasn’t a day I haven’t enjoyed. Most new teachers come in and try to make an image for themselves, and try to act all harsh. But not you Ms. Linden, you came in standing tall and proud, unafraid of your students. You came in and we all had a great semester.
Peace and love,
Mayer ☺
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
Monday, December 3, 2007
How about that facebook? Rumor has it that it’s having some privacy issues. Taking people pictures and putting them places they don’t want. Taking information from outside sources such as blockbuster online to show on facebook what movie you just rented. Slightly intrusive? I think so. I’m sure there is a way to stop it from doing this, but still, an invasion nonetheless. I think that facebook should just be facebook and blockbuster should be blockbuster. There is no real reason to mix the two.
Facebook is also starting this new thing called “personal advertising” where they take whatever your interested in and will show you these ads more often. Now that I think about it, I have noticed this. I often see ads about guitars, music, women, and whatever else I listed in my interests. This is ridiculous. This is a great method of advertising but it is still a huge invasion on people’s privacy. The lawyers representing facebook would probably say that it’s not anything people aren’t publicly releasing, but I think its still invasion. This may not seem so bad, but they are also looking at people’s history of what websites they have visited, and this is even bigger. Going into people’s computer and taking what they may want to be private is a big deal. The worst of all of this is that users can’t opt out of it this “facebook beacon”, if you are on facebook, you are being collected from. We have our rights and we should be told what is being taken from us.
Another issue of personal things is the 2nd amendment. It has been a constant battle for years now. The right to bear arms is a heavily debated issue. Could it mean that every American can have a rifle in their home to protect themselves? Could it mean that everyone can have big hairy arms with claws at the end? Does it mean that only those who are meant to protect our country have the right to a personal weapon? Who knows? The Trapezoid does. Some people say that if everyone had guns, everyone could protect himself or herself. Horse hockey, that’s what I say. I say that gun control makes people safe. If only police have them, or even if they only have tasers, lives without guns would be great. Gang violence would be down, accidental deaths would be down, and suicide could even go down if we try hard enough. The Supreme Court rarely rules about this issue, possibly not to cause problems. The only issue is the phrasing of the amendment. “A well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of the free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed.” Does this mean that the Militia has the right to bear arms? Or does is mean that we can have a Militia and be able to have arms in our homes and hands. I think it means that just the militia is allowed to have them. It doesn’t make any sense for the people to have them. Canada doesn’t have them, and look at them! Their doing great. Universal health care and everything. Why can’t we be more like Canada? Because we are America, home of the brave, land of the free.
Peace, love, and bear arms,
Mayer “Danger” Stein
Facebook is also starting this new thing called “personal advertising” where they take whatever your interested in and will show you these ads more often. Now that I think about it, I have noticed this. I often see ads about guitars, music, women, and whatever else I listed in my interests. This is ridiculous. This is a great method of advertising but it is still a huge invasion on people’s privacy. The lawyers representing facebook would probably say that it’s not anything people aren’t publicly releasing, but I think its still invasion. This may not seem so bad, but they are also looking at people’s history of what websites they have visited, and this is even bigger. Going into people’s computer and taking what they may want to be private is a big deal. The worst of all of this is that users can’t opt out of it this “facebook beacon”, if you are on facebook, you are being collected from. We have our rights and we should be told what is being taken from us.
Another issue of personal things is the 2nd amendment. It has been a constant battle for years now. The right to bear arms is a heavily debated issue. Could it mean that every American can have a rifle in their home to protect themselves? Could it mean that everyone can have big hairy arms with claws at the end? Does it mean that only those who are meant to protect our country have the right to a personal weapon? Who knows? The Trapezoid does. Some people say that if everyone had guns, everyone could protect himself or herself. Horse hockey, that’s what I say. I say that gun control makes people safe. If only police have them, or even if they only have tasers, lives without guns would be great. Gang violence would be down, accidental deaths would be down, and suicide could even go down if we try hard enough. The Supreme Court rarely rules about this issue, possibly not to cause problems. The only issue is the phrasing of the amendment. “A well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of the free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed.” Does this mean that the Militia has the right to bear arms? Or does is mean that we can have a Militia and be able to have arms in our homes and hands. I think it means that just the militia is allowed to have them. It doesn’t make any sense for the people to have them. Canada doesn’t have them, and look at them! Their doing great. Universal health care and everything. Why can’t we be more like Canada? Because we are America, home of the brave, land of the free.
Peace, love, and bear arms,
Mayer “Danger” Stein
Friday, November 30, 2007
those darn kids
http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/21988356/
So there’s this lady, Judge Glenda Hatchett says she knows troubled teens. She does this whole “intervention” thing and she thinks she is the end-all be-all of trouble youth. Yeah? Not so much. She can identify them very well, no doubt about that, but part of growing up is being a troubled teen. If I may copy and paste,
Signs Your Teen May Be In Trouble
0. Abandoned Friends For New Questionable Peers
0. Sudden Drop In School Performance
0. Has Extreme Mood Swings
0. Lies About Whereabouts
Has Mysterious Financial Changes
I don’t know if it’s just me, but this all seems ridiculously obvious. I think she’s not really making the clear separation between “troubled teens” and “future convicts.” These four reasons are good signs that you need to start paying more attention to your kids.
Just from personal experience, counseling does help to an extent, but only in certain situations. When I was 3 my parents got divorced and I had 6 months of court ordered counseling. After that my mom and dad decided to keep it up until I was about 13. When I was 13, I finally met a guy that for once helped me. He was different because all we did was play darts. While we played, he would talk and I would immediately just play off that and we would talk. It was random things, and it was great.
Kids my age are hard to deal with from an adult perspective. Teenagers are almost a foreign body to parents, but still something recognizable. First, it’s because parents care about their kids. On top of that, I’m sure parents remember being teenagers many moons ago. Articles like this are only a cause for discomfort for parents. When they see that their kid is missing or is in one place they shouldn’t be, the parents are automatically going to turn to this and assume something is severely wrong with the kid.
Things like this affect me as a teenager. My parents would look at me different if they read this. They would re-think letting me do whatever I do. At my mom’s house, I just say “I’m going to Adam’s house, ill be back tomorrow.” At my dad’s house, it is slightly more protected. He wants to know who are there, what’s going on, and all that. I think it’s annoying, but it’s his style of parenting. I’m sure he’s read a few articles like this and assumes I drink all the time and smoke a lot.
As a side note, midterms are in 3 weeks and there is this peculiar thing that the school can dictate which teachers give midterms. I realize we go to a private school, but I feel like this is something to be left to the teachers. I mean Rabbinics? Really? I am personally ok with a Rabbinics midterm, but I also apparently need one in astronomy. On top of that, the best class of all, legal issues, must have a midterm. I think this rule is ridiculous and the teachers should be allowed to decide if their class should have one.
Peace and love,
Mayer
So there’s this lady, Judge Glenda Hatchett says she knows troubled teens. She does this whole “intervention” thing and she thinks she is the end-all be-all of trouble youth. Yeah? Not so much. She can identify them very well, no doubt about that, but part of growing up is being a troubled teen. If I may copy and paste,
Signs Your Teen May Be In Trouble
0. Abandoned Friends For New Questionable Peers
0. Sudden Drop In School Performance
0. Has Extreme Mood Swings
0. Lies About Whereabouts
Has Mysterious Financial Changes
I don’t know if it’s just me, but this all seems ridiculously obvious. I think she’s not really making the clear separation between “troubled teens” and “future convicts.” These four reasons are good signs that you need to start paying more attention to your kids.
Just from personal experience, counseling does help to an extent, but only in certain situations. When I was 3 my parents got divorced and I had 6 months of court ordered counseling. After that my mom and dad decided to keep it up until I was about 13. When I was 13, I finally met a guy that for once helped me. He was different because all we did was play darts. While we played, he would talk and I would immediately just play off that and we would talk. It was random things, and it was great.
Kids my age are hard to deal with from an adult perspective. Teenagers are almost a foreign body to parents, but still something recognizable. First, it’s because parents care about their kids. On top of that, I’m sure parents remember being teenagers many moons ago. Articles like this are only a cause for discomfort for parents. When they see that their kid is missing or is in one place they shouldn’t be, the parents are automatically going to turn to this and assume something is severely wrong with the kid.
Things like this affect me as a teenager. My parents would look at me different if they read this. They would re-think letting me do whatever I do. At my mom’s house, I just say “I’m going to Adam’s house, ill be back tomorrow.” At my dad’s house, it is slightly more protected. He wants to know who are there, what’s going on, and all that. I think it’s annoying, but it’s his style of parenting. I’m sure he’s read a few articles like this and assumes I drink all the time and smoke a lot.
As a side note, midterms are in 3 weeks and there is this peculiar thing that the school can dictate which teachers give midterms. I realize we go to a private school, but I feel like this is something to be left to the teachers. I mean Rabbinics? Really? I am personally ok with a Rabbinics midterm, but I also apparently need one in astronomy. On top of that, the best class of all, legal issues, must have a midterm. I think this rule is ridiculous and the teachers should be allowed to decide if their class should have one.
Peace and love,
Mayer
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
the recipe for sprite is not just lemon and lime
My blog got deleted the first time I wrote it. This is annoying. In the meantime, I had some thoughts about the death sentence. In Texas, they have what I like to call the “Carpool Lane.” This is when three or more people have witnessed you murder the victim, you will not sit on death row for 25 years, they rush you right to the front. It makes perfect sense. In Texas, if you kill someone, they will kill you back. I think this could apply to the death penalty in general.
I think that if we applied the laws that the “Carpool Lane’ does in Texas to the normal ones we use today. I.e. if you were seen murdering someone and there are four witnesses, you will receive the penalty. Whereas if there are not as many witnesses, the convict would get a life sentence. I think that makes more sense that just killing everyone. People were given the right to be alive, no matter how crazy they are, they are still people deep down.
On a completely separate note, I had a thought about what we, as Americans don’t know nearly enough about our government. Did you know that Google earth could zoom into my drive and get a half decent picture from what seems like 50 feet up? Google earth is a free public program. Let us say that they put a million dollars of funding into Google earth, they could zoom in close enough to get a picture of my license plate. I find that slightly frightening. They can see into our houses, they can tap our phones, and they can do so many things behind our backs.
I think the government needs to think things through better. In tryouts for orchestras, they have the person perform behind a curtain so they judge by talent, not race or gender. What if the court system went the same way? What if everything was done electronically? All the jurors sit in separate cubicles talking through some sort of messaging service. They can communicate with the judge and other court people. This prevents prejudice against the defendant, the judge, everyone. Although, I can see how this could become a problem. If someone can’t type, if the system gets hacked, there is just a plethora of options to mess it up. I think the solution to this would be to do the same thing as the orchestras. Put the defendant behind a curtain and have him dictate to a lawyer what he wants to say. Also, separate the judge, lawyers, and jury. The jury could be together I guess, but the judge and lawyers and jury should never see each other.
Well, that’s my view on the government and carpool lanes. Peace out guys
I think that if we applied the laws that the “Carpool Lane’ does in Texas to the normal ones we use today. I.e. if you were seen murdering someone and there are four witnesses, you will receive the penalty. Whereas if there are not as many witnesses, the convict would get a life sentence. I think that makes more sense that just killing everyone. People were given the right to be alive, no matter how crazy they are, they are still people deep down.
On a completely separate note, I had a thought about what we, as Americans don’t know nearly enough about our government. Did you know that Google earth could zoom into my drive and get a half decent picture from what seems like 50 feet up? Google earth is a free public program. Let us say that they put a million dollars of funding into Google earth, they could zoom in close enough to get a picture of my license plate. I find that slightly frightening. They can see into our houses, they can tap our phones, and they can do so many things behind our backs.
I think the government needs to think things through better. In tryouts for orchestras, they have the person perform behind a curtain so they judge by talent, not race or gender. What if the court system went the same way? What if everything was done electronically? All the jurors sit in separate cubicles talking through some sort of messaging service. They can communicate with the judge and other court people. This prevents prejudice against the defendant, the judge, everyone. Although, I can see how this could become a problem. If someone can’t type, if the system gets hacked, there is just a plethora of options to mess it up. I think the solution to this would be to do the same thing as the orchestras. Put the defendant behind a curtain and have him dictate to a lawyer what he wants to say. Also, separate the judge, lawyers, and jury. The jury could be together I guess, but the judge and lawyers and jury should never see each other.
Well, that’s my view on the government and carpool lanes. Peace out guys
Wednesday, October 3, 2007
Bloggin' all up in hurr
This week in the mind of Mayer.
I talked recently about lethal injection. I think it’s the most humane way to kill someone, if done correctly. The reason they are "under fire" is all of this controversy. People don't care about these inmates dying in pain. There was an unnamed doctor from Missouri who was dyslexic who admitted to administering the wrong dose of anesthesia more than once. how is this guy not being sued out the ass? This is ridiculous! This guy is putting these people through unimaginable amounts of pain and isn't taking anything for it.
There was one man who needed a "rare" second dose and it was administered really improperly. it basically exploded in his arm. His heart rate rose, but because he was under anesthesia, showed almost no signs of pain other than a frown. My best guess is that he was ready to scream. It’s supposed to just stop your heart rate, but if you could feel that? That’s ridiculous. I’ve been in the middle of hospital mistakes before. It’s awful. I had hip surgery two summers ago where they just cut my femur straight through, and the needle got bent in my hand, so I wasn’t receiving any painkillers. It was just terrible. I know what it’s like to not be perfect. To quote Jason Dovitz, “I didn’t say anything” What he would have said had he been paying attention is that this is a more than extreme crime against humanity and there is no way for this to get by. I think that no human being, no matter how guilty should have to suffer like that. On the flip side, they killed someone, and cause a lot of people a lot of pain, so one could argue that they “Had what’s coming to them”. I disagree; I think that everyone should have a fair chance, no matter how terrible. If you’ve ever seen the movie “Thank you for Smoking” it portrays lawyers very well in one line. It’s an ethical issue. Do you support a murderer? Worse than that, a child rapist and murderer? The child comes back with the response, “I guess everyone deserves a fair trial.” I agree with that. I think that no matter who you are, the justice system should support you. If these murderers and being killed ridiculously inhumanely, I don’t think we should just let this fly.
On a completely separate note, I thought of a new idea for the court system. Do it online. If the judge, the jury, and all the lawyers sat in separate rooms and everyone communicated through an electronic system. This would reduce the amount of biases in the courts. You would have to recall jurors; you wouldn’t have to find different lawyers. I think it’s a good idea. It would reduce the problems in the courts. The only problem I could see is that it could be very costly, to buy computers and have security guards for everyone. The guards could eventually become a problem. It could become another scandal to pretend to be someone that you are not.
I talked recently about lethal injection. I think it’s the most humane way to kill someone, if done correctly. The reason they are "under fire" is all of this controversy. People don't care about these inmates dying in pain. There was an unnamed doctor from Missouri who was dyslexic who admitted to administering the wrong dose of anesthesia more than once. how is this guy not being sued out the ass? This is ridiculous! This guy is putting these people through unimaginable amounts of pain and isn't taking anything for it.
There was one man who needed a "rare" second dose and it was administered really improperly. it basically exploded in his arm. His heart rate rose, but because he was under anesthesia, showed almost no signs of pain other than a frown. My best guess is that he was ready to scream. It’s supposed to just stop your heart rate, but if you could feel that? That’s ridiculous. I’ve been in the middle of hospital mistakes before. It’s awful. I had hip surgery two summers ago where they just cut my femur straight through, and the needle got bent in my hand, so I wasn’t receiving any painkillers. It was just terrible. I know what it’s like to not be perfect. To quote Jason Dovitz, “I didn’t say anything” What he would have said had he been paying attention is that this is a more than extreme crime against humanity and there is no way for this to get by. I think that no human being, no matter how guilty should have to suffer like that. On the flip side, they killed someone, and cause a lot of people a lot of pain, so one could argue that they “Had what’s coming to them”. I disagree; I think that everyone should have a fair chance, no matter how terrible. If you’ve ever seen the movie “Thank you for Smoking” it portrays lawyers very well in one line. It’s an ethical issue. Do you support a murderer? Worse than that, a child rapist and murderer? The child comes back with the response, “I guess everyone deserves a fair trial.” I agree with that. I think that no matter who you are, the justice system should support you. If these murderers and being killed ridiculously inhumanely, I don’t think we should just let this fly.
On a completely separate note, I thought of a new idea for the court system. Do it online. If the judge, the jury, and all the lawyers sat in separate rooms and everyone communicated through an electronic system. This would reduce the amount of biases in the courts. You would have to recall jurors; you wouldn’t have to find different lawyers. I think it’s a good idea. It would reduce the problems in the courts. The only problem I could see is that it could be very costly, to buy computers and have security guards for everyone. The guards could eventually become a problem. It could become another scandal to pretend to be someone that you are not.
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
"Better drink apple juice, OJ'll kill ya" - Sean the King
This week, OJ was arrested for being an idiot. Stealing his own stuff apparently. However, police said he was very nice about the arrest. He even smiled for his mug shot. This man is clearly out of his mind. On the audiotape they have of him, he is yelling and screaming and making a huge deal of this whole thing. If the glove fits right? In all seriousness, the stuff he was trying to get his own stuff back and for the way he did try to do so, he has to pay a $125,000 bail. It’s pretty big for someone who hasn’t killed two people and been a star in the NFL.
Michael Vick. Interesting man. Loves dogs I hear. It’s mildly unfair that celebrities like Mr. Vick will get off easier. I think that if you can do crimes the heinous do a dog, what’s stopping him from doing it to people? I realize there are big differences, but it’s not that big when you see what he’s been doing to these poor animals. On a side note, he has to pay to rehabilitate the dogs he has left. I think that’s a little much. I think there’s a point where they just use euthinise on the dogs and make him put money into a dog research fund or something. I think it’s kind of past the point to put the dog in therapy. Either way, he’s not in the NFL for now and he’s going to jail. Talk about being thrown to the dog’s right?
How about that kid who got tazered at the John Kerry thing? I’m not saying I think the police acted rightly, but I am saying the kid was kinda asking for it. Not only was he obnoxious when asking his questions, they were barely serious at all. He used obscenities and when asked to detain and step down, failed to do so. After the police got hold of him, he began to struggle and resist arrest. As standard police procedure (or so I think) they tazered the kid. A non-deadly way to stop someone who may soon become dangerous. The kid got what he had coming. The police acted a little harshly in the exact wrong place. When the police tell you shut up and stop fighting, you shut the hell up and sit still. He was rude, he was loud, he was noncompliant. The kid doesn’t know what he’s doing, and I quote, “DON’T TASER ME BRO!”
http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/offbeat/2007/09/19/backyard.bears.NJ12
That is front page news. Bears? For real? On the front page of CNN, theres people dying all over the world and bombs going off. But gotta have them bears.
This Mayer, bloggin out.
Michael Vick. Interesting man. Loves dogs I hear. It’s mildly unfair that celebrities like Mr. Vick will get off easier. I think that if you can do crimes the heinous do a dog, what’s stopping him from doing it to people? I realize there are big differences, but it’s not that big when you see what he’s been doing to these poor animals. On a side note, he has to pay to rehabilitate the dogs he has left. I think that’s a little much. I think there’s a point where they just use euthinise on the dogs and make him put money into a dog research fund or something. I think it’s kind of past the point to put the dog in therapy. Either way, he’s not in the NFL for now and he’s going to jail. Talk about being thrown to the dog’s right?
How about that kid who got tazered at the John Kerry thing? I’m not saying I think the police acted rightly, but I am saying the kid was kinda asking for it. Not only was he obnoxious when asking his questions, they were barely serious at all. He used obscenities and when asked to detain and step down, failed to do so. After the police got hold of him, he began to struggle and resist arrest. As standard police procedure (or so I think) they tazered the kid. A non-deadly way to stop someone who may soon become dangerous. The kid got what he had coming. The police acted a little harshly in the exact wrong place. When the police tell you shut up and stop fighting, you shut the hell up and sit still. He was rude, he was loud, he was noncompliant. The kid doesn’t know what he’s doing, and I quote, “DON’T TASER ME BRO!”
http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/offbeat/2007/09/19/backyard.bears.NJ12
That is front page news. Bears? For real? On the front page of CNN, theres people dying all over the world and bombs going off. But gotta have them bears.
This Mayer, bloggin out.
Monday, September 10, 2007
first one
So this would be the first blog of many. probably 7. It;s pretty fly. I sit next to Erez and hes really good and makes really good brownies.
Legal Issues is a good class where we learn how to make decisions and think about everyday life from a legal point of view. We write stories, have current events, and (keep it on the DL) a super secret that i cant tell involving delicious food and a good time.
this is just a trial, so feel free to stop reading at the end.
the end.
Legal Issues is a good class where we learn how to make decisions and think about everyday life from a legal point of view. We write stories, have current events, and (keep it on the DL) a super secret that i cant tell involving delicious food and a good time.
this is just a trial, so feel free to stop reading at the end.
the end.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
