The Inconvenient Truth is a moving and compelling insight into the serious problem we face with global warming. This documentary is meant for the entire world to see, absorb and react to. Director David Guggenheim did an exemplary job putting this documentary together. Al Gore’s dedication and in-depth breakdown of the issue is remarkable. Global warming is a sure thing and we all have a responsibility to repair planet earth for the future of our children, for the future of humankind. For most people global warming is a back of the mind, think about every once in a while topic. The average person turns to the news as their main source for information, if global warming in constantly being discredited why would we think any different. This documentary challenges each and every human being on earth from children to the elderly to make changes, speak out and know exactly what is happening to our home. With simple clarity Al Gore walks us through the harsh reality of global warming. Telling us the story of his life gives this documentary a more personal feel, allowing us to develop a connection. He uses no big effects, just the truth, his voice and a clear passion. Gore takes us through an educational and inspiring journey around the world as he delivers his slideshow to thousands of people.
Al Gore starts of with a basic description of global warming and why the carbon dioxide increase is so harmful to our planet. Rodger Pevelle was the first person to propose measuring the carbon dioxide in earth’s atmosphere, in 1958. Since then scientist have been measuring the amount of carbon dioxide and recording the startling increases shown year after year. Scientists have developed a way to measure the amount of carbon dioxide in the ice with core drills allowing them to have accurate measurements from 650,000 years ago. For decades this startling information has been collected and analyzed and I cannot fathom why we are not taking this more seriously.
Most of this documentaries focus is on the affects global warming is having on Antarctica, Greenland, and natural disasters. He emphasizes over and over again the direct link between hotter temperatures and the increase in stronger storms. The ten hottest years recorded in our history have all occurred in the last fourteen years. Ocean temperatures are warmer causing the wind velocity and moisture to increase, causing stronger storms. Gore uses Hurricane Katrina as a prime example, it was a Category 1 hurricane as it crossed over Florida, once it hit the warm waters in the gulf it had increased to a category 5 hurricane by the time it reached New Orleans. Last year South America experienced its first hurricane against all beliefs. In 2006 Typhoon Saomai hit China as a category 5, the strongest in 50 years. We as humans can control almost every aspect of our lives, we cannot control Mother Nature, we can however treat her kindly.
Gore, stresses the direct relationship between temperature and global warming. All over the world thousands of people are dieing from the extreme temperatures we are experiencing. The 12 months between July 2005 and June 2006 were the hottest on record in the U.S. In 2003, Europe had a heat wave that killed 35,000 people; these numbers seem so unreal. Not only does global warming cause temperatures to rise, it increases precipitation as well, resulting in flooding. We are also seeing extreme drought. Lake Chad one of the largest lakes in the world is now completely dried up. “The era of procrastination, of half-measures, of soothing and baffling expedients, of delays, is coming to its close. In its place we are entering a period of consequences.” Sir Winston Churchill, 1936. We are seeing the consequences every single day and it is only getting worse.
All off the majestic glaciers and snow capped mountains are diminishing rapidly, some non-existent. The Arctic Ice Cap has diminished by 40% in the last 40 years; within the next 50 to 70 years it will be completely gone. One of Al Gore’s main concerns is the melting glaciers of Greenland and the Antarctic. 50 cubic miles of ice has melted off of Greenland in the last year. Once the West Arctic Ice Sheet melts it will raise the sea level by 20 feet causing billions of people to be relocated. Tony Blair states “Because of what’s happened with Greenland right now, the maps of the world will have to be redrawn.” Global warming is affecting our seasons as well causing natural cycles to be off. Al Gore says, “We are witnessing a collision between civilization and the earth. “All of this data should speak volumes, the Earth is being loud and clear, it is time to take action before it’s too late.
There is 730 trillion tons of carbon dioxide in the Earth’s atmosphere. So what are the main contributors to global warming? The burning of fossil fuels such as coal, oil and gas, emissions from vehicles, waste of non-perishable items, burning, the list goes on and on. Forrest burning contributes 30% of the carbon dioxide that goes into the atmosphere each year. Right now the U.S. is the largest contributor to global warming. That just seems so shameful. Why is this such a political issue, when it is not a political issue at all, but a moral issue. There are so many ways our country alone can make a massive decrease in global warming. Gore encourages us to speak out, write letters, and educate anyone who will listen.
After watching this video, I had several questions. Why, are we not discussing with our children the importance of recycling, turning the lights off when we leave a room, using less water to take a bath. If we don’t start at home where do we start? Why as communities do we not plan and discuss what we can do collectively as a community? Why do teachers have curriculums to follow that do not include educating and encouraging the children to save the very thing that gives them the ability to live and learn? I wish they had focused more attention at the end to explaining everything we can do to help. Sending viewers to a website rather than providing detailed information breaks the viewers attention weakening the message. As parents, citizens, students, human beings in general we have a moral responsibility to our environment and to ourselves to do everything we can to slow down the effects of global warming. This documentary has had a profound affect on our family, it extends beyond the recycle box we put out every Monday. It’s a shame that there are going to be people out there that will never see this because of there political standings or personal feeling towards Al Gore. If they could just get passed that I feel they would be surprised to find a man with a clear dedication who is fighting for the survival of all of us, despite ourselves. “All the great things are simple, and many can be expressed in a single word: freedom, justice, honor, duty, mercy, hope,” Winston Churchill. We have the freedom to change the way we think. We have the justice and the voice to change it. We have the honor to know, now is the time to ensure our children’s future and the future of every living thing. We have the duty to our planet and ourselves. We have the hope that we can come together and make a change.
Sunday, October 28, 2007
Friday, October 19, 2007
An Inconvenient Truth Summary & Response
The Inconvenient Truth is a moving and compelling insight into the serious problem we face with global warming. This documentary is meant for the entire world to see, absorb and react to. Al Gore’s dedication and in-depth breakdown of the issue is remarkable. Global warming is a sure thing and we all have a responsibility to repair planet earth for the future of our children, for the future of humankind. For most people global warming is a back of the mind, think about every once in a while topic. The average person turns to the news as their main source for information, if global warming in constantly being discredited why would we think any different. This documentary challenges each and every human being on earth from children to the elderly to make changes, speak out and know exactly what is happening to our home. With simple clarity Al Gore walks us through the harsh reality of global warming. Telling us the story of his life gives this documentary a more personal feel, allowing us to develop a connection. He uses no big effects, just the truth, his voice and a clear passion. Gore takes us through an educational and inspiring journey around the world as he delivers his slideshow to thousands of people.
Al Gore starts of with a basic description of global warming and why the carbon dioxide increase is so harmful to our planet. Rodger Pevelle was the first person to propose measuring the carbon dioxide in earth’s atmosphere, in 1958. Since then scientist have been measuring the amount of carbon dioxide and recording the startling increases shown year after year. Scientists have developed a way to measure the amount of carbon dioxide in the ice with core drills allowing them to have accurate measurements from 650,000 years ago. Most of this documentary focuses on the affects global warming is having on Antarctica, Greenland, and natural disasters. He emphasizes over and over again the direct link between hotter temperatures and the increase in stronger storms. The ten hottest years recorded in our history have all occurred in the last fourteen years. Two hundred cities set all time records in 2005. Ocean temperatures are warmer causing the wind velocity and moisture to increase, causing stronger storms. Gore uses Hurricane Katrina as a prime example, it was a Category 1 hurricane as it crossed over Florida, once it hit the warm waters in the gulf it had increased to a category 5 hurricane by the time it reached New Orleans. Last year South America experienced its first hurricane against all beliefs. In 2004, Japan had an all time record with 10 typhoons. In 2006 Typhoon Saomai hit China as a category 5, the strongest in 50 years. All over the world thousands of people are dieing from the extreme temperatures we are experiencing. The 12 months between July 2005 and June 2006 were the hottest on record in the U.S. In 2003, Europe had a heat wave that killed 35,000 people. Not only does global warming cause temperatures to rise, it increases precipitation as well, resulting in flooding. We are also seeing extreme drought, in areas right next to the very places flooding. Lake Chad one of the largest lakes in the world is now completely dried up. “The era of procrastination, of half-measures, of soothing and baffling expedients, of delays, is coming to its close. In its place we are entering a period of consequences.” Sir Winston Churchill, 1936. We are seeing the consequences every single day and it is only getting worse. All off the majestic glaciers and snow capped mountains are diminishing rapidly, some non-existent. The Arctic Ice Cap has diminished by 40% in the last 40 years; within the next 50 to 70 years it will be completely gone. One of Al Gore’s main concerns is the melting glaciers of Greenland and the Antarctic. 50 cubic miles of ice has melted off of Greenland in the last year. The Larsen Ice Shelf in Antarctica melted within 35 days. Once the West Arctic Ice Sheet melts it will raise the sea level by 20 feet causing billions of people to be relocated. Tony Blair states “Because of what’s happened with Greenland right now, the maps of the world will have to be redrawn.” Not only has the weather changed, but also diseases such as avian flu and west Nile virus are coming back and spreading. We are seeing more rodents, insects and pine beetles. Global warming is affecting our seasons as well. With the increase in ocean temperatures and 25 million tons of carbon dioxide put into the ocean every day, the coral reefs are being bleached, putting the fish in jeopardy. Ocean species lose is now 1000 times greater than natural background rate. We are witnessing affects from permafrost, most dramatically in Alaska and Siberia. Al Gore says, “We are witnessing a collision between civilization and the earth. “All of this data should speak volumes, the Earth is being loud and clear, it is time to take action before it’s too late.
There is 730 trillion tons of carbon dioxide in the Earth’s atmosphere. So what are the main contributors to global warming? The burning of fossil fuels such as coal, oil and gas, emissions from vehicles, waste of non-perishable items, burning, the list goes on and on. Forrest burning contributes 30% of the carbon dioxide that goes into the atmosphere each year. Right now the U.S. is the largest contributor to global warming. That just seems so shameful. Why is this such a political issue, when it is not a political issue at all, but a moral issue. America’s two main automobile manufacturers are still way behind others on making vehicles that are better for our environment. Every country is Kyoto ratified except U.S. and Australia. There are so many ways our country alone can make a massive decrease in global warming. Gore encourages us to speak out, write letters, educate anyone who will listen.
After watching this video, I had several questions. Why, are we not discussing with our children the importance of recycling, turning the lights off when we leave a room, using less water to take a bath. If we don’t start at home where do we start? Why as communities do we not plan and discuss what we can do collectively as a community? Why do teachers have curriculums to follow that do not include educating and encouraging the children to save the very thing that gives them the ability to live and learn? As parents, citizens, students, human beings in general we have a moral responsibility to ourselves and our environment to do everything we can to slow down the effects of global warming. This documentary has had a profound affect on our family, it extends beyond the recycle box we put out every Monday. It’s a shame that there are going to be people out there that will never see this because of there political standings or personal feeling towards Al Gore. If they could just get passed that I feel they would be surprised to find a man with a clear dedication who is fighting for the survival of all of us, despite ourselves. “All the great things are simple, and many can be expressed in a single word: freedom, justice, honor, duty, mercy, hope.” Winston Churchill. We have the freedom to change the way we think. We have the justice and the voice to change it. We have the honor to know, now is the time to ensure our children’s future and the future of every living thing. We have the duty to our planet and ourselves. We have the hope that we can come together and make a change.
Al Gore starts of with a basic description of global warming and why the carbon dioxide increase is so harmful to our planet. Rodger Pevelle was the first person to propose measuring the carbon dioxide in earth’s atmosphere, in 1958. Since then scientist have been measuring the amount of carbon dioxide and recording the startling increases shown year after year. Scientists have developed a way to measure the amount of carbon dioxide in the ice with core drills allowing them to have accurate measurements from 650,000 years ago. Most of this documentary focuses on the affects global warming is having on Antarctica, Greenland, and natural disasters. He emphasizes over and over again the direct link between hotter temperatures and the increase in stronger storms. The ten hottest years recorded in our history have all occurred in the last fourteen years. Two hundred cities set all time records in 2005. Ocean temperatures are warmer causing the wind velocity and moisture to increase, causing stronger storms. Gore uses Hurricane Katrina as a prime example, it was a Category 1 hurricane as it crossed over Florida, once it hit the warm waters in the gulf it had increased to a category 5 hurricane by the time it reached New Orleans. Last year South America experienced its first hurricane against all beliefs. In 2004, Japan had an all time record with 10 typhoons. In 2006 Typhoon Saomai hit China as a category 5, the strongest in 50 years. All over the world thousands of people are dieing from the extreme temperatures we are experiencing. The 12 months between July 2005 and June 2006 were the hottest on record in the U.S. In 2003, Europe had a heat wave that killed 35,000 people. Not only does global warming cause temperatures to rise, it increases precipitation as well, resulting in flooding. We are also seeing extreme drought, in areas right next to the very places flooding. Lake Chad one of the largest lakes in the world is now completely dried up. “The era of procrastination, of half-measures, of soothing and baffling expedients, of delays, is coming to its close. In its place we are entering a period of consequences.” Sir Winston Churchill, 1936. We are seeing the consequences every single day and it is only getting worse. All off the majestic glaciers and snow capped mountains are diminishing rapidly, some non-existent. The Arctic Ice Cap has diminished by 40% in the last 40 years; within the next 50 to 70 years it will be completely gone. One of Al Gore’s main concerns is the melting glaciers of Greenland and the Antarctic. 50 cubic miles of ice has melted off of Greenland in the last year. The Larsen Ice Shelf in Antarctica melted within 35 days. Once the West Arctic Ice Sheet melts it will raise the sea level by 20 feet causing billions of people to be relocated. Tony Blair states “Because of what’s happened with Greenland right now, the maps of the world will have to be redrawn.” Not only has the weather changed, but also diseases such as avian flu and west Nile virus are coming back and spreading. We are seeing more rodents, insects and pine beetles. Global warming is affecting our seasons as well. With the increase in ocean temperatures and 25 million tons of carbon dioxide put into the ocean every day, the coral reefs are being bleached, putting the fish in jeopardy. Ocean species lose is now 1000 times greater than natural background rate. We are witnessing affects from permafrost, most dramatically in Alaska and Siberia. Al Gore says, “We are witnessing a collision between civilization and the earth. “All of this data should speak volumes, the Earth is being loud and clear, it is time to take action before it’s too late.
There is 730 trillion tons of carbon dioxide in the Earth’s atmosphere. So what are the main contributors to global warming? The burning of fossil fuels such as coal, oil and gas, emissions from vehicles, waste of non-perishable items, burning, the list goes on and on. Forrest burning contributes 30% of the carbon dioxide that goes into the atmosphere each year. Right now the U.S. is the largest contributor to global warming. That just seems so shameful. Why is this such a political issue, when it is not a political issue at all, but a moral issue. America’s two main automobile manufacturers are still way behind others on making vehicles that are better for our environment. Every country is Kyoto ratified except U.S. and Australia. There are so many ways our country alone can make a massive decrease in global warming. Gore encourages us to speak out, write letters, educate anyone who will listen.
After watching this video, I had several questions. Why, are we not discussing with our children the importance of recycling, turning the lights off when we leave a room, using less water to take a bath. If we don’t start at home where do we start? Why as communities do we not plan and discuss what we can do collectively as a community? Why do teachers have curriculums to follow that do not include educating and encouraging the children to save the very thing that gives them the ability to live and learn? As parents, citizens, students, human beings in general we have a moral responsibility to ourselves and our environment to do everything we can to slow down the effects of global warming. This documentary has had a profound affect on our family, it extends beyond the recycle box we put out every Monday. It’s a shame that there are going to be people out there that will never see this because of there political standings or personal feeling towards Al Gore. If they could just get passed that I feel they would be surprised to find a man with a clear dedication who is fighting for the survival of all of us, despite ourselves. “All the great things are simple, and many can be expressed in a single word: freedom, justice, honor, duty, mercy, hope.” Winston Churchill. We have the freedom to change the way we think. We have the justice and the voice to change it. We have the honor to know, now is the time to ensure our children’s future and the future of every living thing. We have the duty to our planet and ourselves. We have the hope that we can come together and make a change.
Saturday, October 13, 2007
The Heartbreak Kid Review
To call The Heartbreak Kid a raunchy, laugh out loud comedy is an understatement. This film takes you to the extreme, with racy hostile sexipades, and outrageous humor. The Farrelly Brothers enjoyment of gross bodily functions is at a whole new level.
The Heartbreak Kid is a bawdy comedy about a middle aged single man Eddie (Ben Stiller) who is primed and ready for romance. He meets the beautiful Malin Akerman (Lila) outside a Laundromat after an attempt to get her purse back from a thief. After a brief dating period they hastily marry to avoid Lila relocating for her job. The road trip to their honeymoon in Mexico is where the movie really starts. Eddie discovers his wife is a singing, recovered drug user with a deviated septum and has the mouth of a trucker. He quickly realizes his rose is covered in thorns. After getting a massive sunburn Lila is forced to stay in the room. At this point it is clear Lila is a bit far from center with a hedonistic sexual appetite. A bit freaked out and unclear what to do Eddie finds himself at the bar and meets Miranda (Michelle Monaghan). They have an instant connection. Now he has to break it to his wife she is not the one. Lets just say he fails and both women head home leaving him alone in Mexico. Eddie makes his way across the border after several months of attempts and finds himself at the door of Miranda’s home in Mississippi, only to find her married. Finally, getting a grasp on his life he packs up and moves to Mexico. Miranda shows up in Mexico with her family for the yearly trip and the drama starts all over again. The ending is a bit predictable, but funny non the less.
This comedy has Farrelly written all over it, with the crude humor and outrageous storyline. Eddie (Ben Stiller) has no real personality; in fact most of the characters ride the border on this, leaving you neither feeling sorry for them nor wanting more. The pace of the movie is more of a drama with breathing room to fully inhale the story, throwing you a bit off as a viewer. All the funny parts involve the weird idiosyncrasies of Lila. I walked away from this film feeling unsatisfied, yet not really knowing why. I have to say though; this is a good addition to the list of spit-take comedies for the Farrelly Brothers. There is enough imaginative material to keep it interesting and dodgy jokes to make my husband laugh. I think for most people it is a see it once, or wait for the dvd kind of flick. I would rate this movie a 3 out of 5.
The Heartbreak Kid is a bawdy comedy about a middle aged single man Eddie (Ben Stiller) who is primed and ready for romance. He meets the beautiful Malin Akerman (Lila) outside a Laundromat after an attempt to get her purse back from a thief. After a brief dating period they hastily marry to avoid Lila relocating for her job. The road trip to their honeymoon in Mexico is where the movie really starts. Eddie discovers his wife is a singing, recovered drug user with a deviated septum and has the mouth of a trucker. He quickly realizes his rose is covered in thorns. After getting a massive sunburn Lila is forced to stay in the room. At this point it is clear Lila is a bit far from center with a hedonistic sexual appetite. A bit freaked out and unclear what to do Eddie finds himself at the bar and meets Miranda (Michelle Monaghan). They have an instant connection. Now he has to break it to his wife she is not the one. Lets just say he fails and both women head home leaving him alone in Mexico. Eddie makes his way across the border after several months of attempts and finds himself at the door of Miranda’s home in Mississippi, only to find her married. Finally, getting a grasp on his life he packs up and moves to Mexico. Miranda shows up in Mexico with her family for the yearly trip and the drama starts all over again. The ending is a bit predictable, but funny non the less.
This comedy has Farrelly written all over it, with the crude humor and outrageous storyline. Eddie (Ben Stiller) has no real personality; in fact most of the characters ride the border on this, leaving you neither feeling sorry for them nor wanting more. The pace of the movie is more of a drama with breathing room to fully inhale the story, throwing you a bit off as a viewer. All the funny parts involve the weird idiosyncrasies of Lila. I walked away from this film feeling unsatisfied, yet not really knowing why. I have to say though; this is a good addition to the list of spit-take comedies for the Farrelly Brothers. There is enough imaginative material to keep it interesting and dodgy jokes to make my husband laugh. I think for most people it is a see it once, or wait for the dvd kind of flick. I would rate this movie a 3 out of 5.
Sunday, October 7, 2007
Strong Response Letter
Federal Laws Governing Judges
There are so many rules and laws governing every aspect of our lives; from what our children can talk about in school, to legal drinking age, taxes due according to where we live, speed limit changes for every road you travel on. The list goes on and on, most of these laws are for a good reason, striving to keep our society in a prosperous and civilized manor. Some however are inferior and antiquated. The federal laws governing judges are a prime example.
Rick Casey’s article, “Feds to shred evidence against judge,” in The Houston Chronicle makes an excellent case stating just how inferior the federals laws governing judges are. Casey gives a brief review of the case of a Galveston judge accused of sexual harassment and the lack of public information. According to federal law, all case information regarding any judge remains secret and ultimately destroyed at the conclusion of the investigation. Casey states, “The information should also be made public in order to ensure public confidence in the judiciary.” (B4) It later goes on to say the judge was put on leave, but the 5th Circuit Council didn’t even have the power to garnish his salary for the time. Only Congress can remove a judge in order to keep judicial independence. The Congress is suppose to be the branch of our government most responsive to the people, so why then shouldn’t the people be apprised to the evidence in cases against judges. What kind of message does this give our citizens? We get ticketed and fined up to several hundred dollars for going 5 miles over the speed limit and a district judge gets a paid vacation for sexual harassment. Something seems wrong here. If our government that we live, eat, and breathe by everyday of our lives, can take out the pledge of allegiance, ban smoking all over the city, restrict travel, raise our taxes, why can’t they revise the rules governing judges. Honestly, what kind of faith do you have that next time you stand before a judge, he didn’t walk away from the same crime you are being prosecuted for?
Casey’s article is quite informative and sparked an interest to look into our federal laws governing judges further. As students we all take Government as a class and get a basic working knowledge of how our system is ran. Until, you see the flaws in it you feel it’s just and reliable. Casey points out a valid flaw in our system that merits a revision. It seems like everything these days have a version 2. something maybe it’s time some of our old laws get an upgrade.
Casey, Rick. “Feds to shred evidence against judge.” The Houston Chronicle 30 September 2007, Sunday Ed. B1-B4
There are so many rules and laws governing every aspect of our lives; from what our children can talk about in school, to legal drinking age, taxes due according to where we live, speed limit changes for every road you travel on. The list goes on and on, most of these laws are for a good reason, striving to keep our society in a prosperous and civilized manor. Some however are inferior and antiquated. The federal laws governing judges are a prime example.
Rick Casey’s article, “Feds to shred evidence against judge,” in The Houston Chronicle makes an excellent case stating just how inferior the federals laws governing judges are. Casey gives a brief review of the case of a Galveston judge accused of sexual harassment and the lack of public information. According to federal law, all case information regarding any judge remains secret and ultimately destroyed at the conclusion of the investigation. Casey states, “The information should also be made public in order to ensure public confidence in the judiciary.” (B4) It later goes on to say the judge was put on leave, but the 5th Circuit Council didn’t even have the power to garnish his salary for the time. Only Congress can remove a judge in order to keep judicial independence. The Congress is suppose to be the branch of our government most responsive to the people, so why then shouldn’t the people be apprised to the evidence in cases against judges. What kind of message does this give our citizens? We get ticketed and fined up to several hundred dollars for going 5 miles over the speed limit and a district judge gets a paid vacation for sexual harassment. Something seems wrong here. If our government that we live, eat, and breathe by everyday of our lives, can take out the pledge of allegiance, ban smoking all over the city, restrict travel, raise our taxes, why can’t they revise the rules governing judges. Honestly, what kind of faith do you have that next time you stand before a judge, he didn’t walk away from the same crime you are being prosecuted for?
Casey’s article is quite informative and sparked an interest to look into our federal laws governing judges further. As students we all take Government as a class and get a basic working knowledge of how our system is ran. Until, you see the flaws in it you feel it’s just and reliable. Casey points out a valid flaw in our system that merits a revision. It seems like everything these days have a version 2. something maybe it’s time some of our old laws get an upgrade.
Casey, Rick. “Feds to shred evidence against judge.” The Houston Chronicle 30 September 2007, Sunday Ed. B1-B4
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