What could have been done differently at Virginia Tech?

As you all might have heard, there was a horrific shooting at Virginia Tech a few days ago. Many innocent people both young and old were killed and very injured. The investagation is still being taken care of and closely looked at. Some of the students that I have heard on the news and read online were aware of what was going on as it was happening after being able to check their email early in the morning. The school sent out an email and tried to worn the students of what was going on and to keep them cautious and stay locked inside their dorm rooms. Others were still walking to class with much precaution. Many people are wondering if the school did enough to keep everyone and every classroom safe. What do you think? Do you think there is anything else the school could do to keep people aware and safe? What about keeping people calm? What do you think about schools teaching their students what to do in case of a lock down or emergency?

Emily W.

Final Thoughts on Catcher?

Now that we have finished reading Catcher, what are your view points on the book? How did you like the way J.D. Salinger portrayed Holden and how do you like the way he wrote the book? What did you like about it? What didn't you like?

I liked the book especially the ending - it seemed very emotional and I liked how much Holden had changed by the end.

Josh T.

Is Holden postponing the inevitable?

The other day in Mr. Wickersham’s class we talked about how the title Catcher in the Rye relates to Holden and the rest of the book. Holden is stuck in between being a child and an adult. When Phoebe asks him what his ideal job would be, he says he would love to be a catcher in the rye. He wishes he could still be a child and he does things, like scratching off the bad words in the museum, to prevent other kids from losing their childhood innocence and having to become an adult.

Have you ever done anything because you didn’t want to grow up, or because you didn’t want someone else to have to grow up? If so, why? If not, can you understand why someone, like Holden, would do this, or do you think it is completely crazy and pointless? Do you think Holden was avoiding the inevitable or do you think some people just need the extra time to figure things out? Please explain.

Pic from: www.bittersweetfatkid.co.uk/catcher_holden.jpg

Elizabeth

Stem Cell Research

Tonight I went to the Stem Cell Research Foundation: International event at the Detroit Science Center, and I learned many interesting things about what stem cells are about and what they have to do with what the research is all about.
My dad and Bubbie are both co-chairmen and presidents of the Stem Cell Research Foundation: International. They are very excited about what they are doing, because they can help people in the future. My papa, his dad and her husband were killed from pancreatic cancer 2 years and 2 months ago. This is a motivation for them to help save lives.
What I was wondering was, what do you think about stem cell research, and what are your positions on it?

Editor's Note: An issue surrounding stem cell research is one similar to that surrounding abortion - namely, when does life begin? It is the contention of some believers that life begins at the moment of conception, and that the initial embryonic cells that divide are part of the human living organism - a human soul. The 4-5 day old cells are ones that can be used in stem cell research. President Bush has limited the use of stem cell research to only a few stem cell lines, and that any labs that receive federal money cannot conduct research on other stem cell lines and expect to receive more federal money. The following diseases can possibly be helped by stem cell research:
Alzheimer's disease, Heart disease, Cancer, Spinal cord injuries, Rheumatoid Arthritis
Lupus, Scleroderma, Diabetes, and Parkinson's disease.

Links:
National Institute of Health's Stem Cell page: http://stemcells.nih.gov/info/basics/
Student Society for Stem Cell Research: http://www.ssscr.org/
About.com's site on stem cell research: http://alzheimers.about.com/od/research/a/stem_cell.htm
Stem Cell Research Foundation's FAQ page: http://www.stemcellresearchfoundation.org/About/FAQ.htm

Follow up: (This is a reply from JJ's dad, Dr. Alan Bittker, about the benefits of stem cell research) -"As you said, we are very excited about our progress with the stem cell foundation. We really believe that the research will make a dramatic impact and improve the medical treatments and cures during the next decade. While some people in the community are hesitant or opposed to support embryonic stem cell research, we were very encouraged by the overwhelmingly positive reaction we received following the kickoff event. The 'typical' negative reaction is usually due to the fact that some people believe that every cell – regardless of circumstance – could become a human life. And, because the research is conducted on cells from embryos, they believe a potential life was somehow eliminated.

Our support of this research is based on the fact that scientists, in less than ten years, have been able to create and grow the following from basic stem cells: beating heart tissue, insulin-producing cells, human heart valves and human tissue that reproduces with its own blood supply. Each of these discoveries has the potential to change the face of medicine and offer cures for future generations. Additionally, we are encouraged that nearly 75% of the U.S. population supports this research due to its enormous potential. For all these reasons, we believe we are on the right track and have the momentum needed to raise funds and accelerate this critical research."

We'd like to thank Dr. Bittker for taking the time to work with us on this issue.

So what's the big deal?

I have been wondering why this novel is so revolutionary, so I guess I want to see what other people think.

In class we have discused the events in the novel Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Sallanger in great depth. Also we have seen how the novel affected American literature forever. Many students after reading have asked themselves "why is this story so famous?" or "these events that Holden experiences are not that crazy, why is it so interesting?"

Why do you think Catcher in the Rye is so famous, and what elements of this story are so unique compared to literature that we've studied before this novel?

Josh "Slam Dunk" Smith

Temporary Moment of Insanity

In reading Catcher in the Rye, we all know that Holden is a madman. However, he never comes out and straight forwardly admits that. In all his crazy moments he simply points fingers at other so called "phonies" and psychos.

Do you think your insanity is open to interpetation by others the way others see sides of Holden he doesn't see himself? Have you had certain instances where you were put into the situation where others might feel you are slightly insane? Help us out by explaining.

Lisa

Holden: Love him or hate him?

Now that we have finished reading The Catcher In the Rye, what is your take on the book?

Did you like the main character, Holden Caulfield or did you secretly despise him? Many people have pointed out that Holden is a hypocrite. He constantly expresses his hate towards people who are phony, yet it is clear that Holden himself is a phony.

Also, what are your final thoughts on the book? Did you like The Catcher In The Rye? Why or why not?

C-Kal

A Catcher website: http://www.euronet.nl/users/los/books.html

Copycat threats? What's the deal?

On Monday, there was the Virginia Tech shooting with 33 people dead. But, this past week there have been over a dozen threats to Oakland County Schools.

• Berkshire was closed on Friday due to a threat.
• Groves was on la perimeter lockdown at the end of the day (code white) on Thursday, and there was an investigation into a classroom discussion earlier in the week.
• Sunday night e-mail threat (even before the shooting) at four Rochester schools brought out the bomb sniffing dogs
• The dogs came back Wednesday night to two Walled Lake High Schools, and three more threats were issued on Thursday.
• Oxford received warnings on Tuesday at a middle school.

Why do people think it is funny to make a threat? Just so it can close school and no one has to school? What do you think about all these threats recently?

Paris

Articles: http://www.dailytribune.com/stories/042007/loc_threats001.shtml

Oakland County Prosecutor says that fake threats are no joke, will be taken and punished severely: http://www.clickondetroit.com/news/12520802/detail.html

Editor's Note - In an article in the Daily Tribune, it can cost "$200,000 to $600,000 to close an entire district and add security measures", according to Oakland Schools Superintendent Vickie Markavitch. So please, in our cash-strapped district, don't do anything stupid. And even if money wasn't an issue, if you need someone to talk to or have an issue, we can find ways to work it out. Violence isn't the answer.

Virginia Tech Tragedy

On April 16, 2007, there was a shooting at Virginia Tech University. The shooter came in and shot students with no warning. He killed 32 innocent teachers and students and then killed himself. The shooter had a roommate who said that he was not a popular kid; he was quiet and had almost no friends.

How does a person get to a mindset where they would take another person's life and after killing one person, how does he/she have no remorse or conscience and keep killing others?

Why do you think that this very quiet kid would do such a thing? Even his roommates who lived with him for the past 7 months did not think he could do something so horrible just like the kids at Columbine didn’t think that the shooters would do such a thing as well.

Tripp

Yahoo articles: http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20070417/media_nm/television_massacre_dc

http://news.yahoo.com/s/infoworld/20070418/tc_infoworld/87786_1

D.C. Trip - FDR Memorial

Thought you might like to see some photos from the FDR Memorial in D.C.

Fairness in the Crucible?

In reading The Crucible so far, communism is connected directly with witchcraft. People in the Red Scare during the time after WWII act a lot like the people in the time of witch trials. Innocent people are accused, jailed, and killed.

Do you guys think this is fair in terms of The Crucible? Communism?

Lisa R.

Rebecca Nurse's trial.

Photos taken from: http://www.law.umkc.edu/faculty/projects/ftrials/salem/SAL_PHO.HTM

Your take on the play

Now that many of you have seen the play, experienced the intense on-stage drama, tell us what you thought.

Ms. Z. mentioned the symbolic lighting - did you notice the red and blue lights that came on at certain times? Why did they come on and for whom? She also mentioned the stage was symbolic. I've got my own take on those three trees in the background. Did those branches remind you of flailing hands reaching towards the sky? Kinda Picasso/Guernica like? That might be a stretch. But it also made me think of something else which I'll save for later.

How about the characters? Did they act the way you thought they would? Did you know any of the actors personally and did that knowledge interfere w/ the characters the portrayed? I thought Paul's portrayal of Danforth was bordering on comical, especially with his facial gestures. How about Spence and Mickey? Awesome job, guys. Josh was behind the stage and Andrew was techie on the spot.

So, give us your take on the play. Different than the movie? Of course.