Question: What do you think of the US response to the former Soviet Union during the Cuban missile crisis?
by QLSC
Thirteen Days is one of those movies I like because, first, it’s based on true events, and as such (second), it reflects reality. It reflects reality in several ways: politically, socially, and morally. But since this class is about International Relations, I will focus on the political side.
I believe that the US responses are justifiable on the basis of Classical Realism (which we recently discussed). First of all, based on the theories of Classical Realism, the US state has its own national interests in mind. It is just right that the US government will panic over the missiles in Cuba. After all, those missiles can target US states, including Washington and kill over 80 million Americans on an initial launch.
But although the US has its safety in mind, it was torn between dual moral standards: Will they ignore the missiles unless utilized, or will they go ahead and reproach the Soviets? If they do the first, their lives will be at stake, and if they do the second, Soviet lives (and others where the Soviets might retaliate) will be at stake, as well. The only difference will be the citizenship of possible fatalities.
In line with these dual standards, the political sphere of US decision had to be separated from other spheres of human nature, such as moral. If the saying “An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth” holds true for the US government, they couldn’t apply it during the Cuban missile crisis. Why? Because the Soviets have not yet released the missiles. However, if the Soviets do release the missiles, it will be too late for the US. The US had to make a counteractive decision even before it gets “an eye” or “a tooth”.
Finally, as a feature of Classical Realism, the US response must be objective. By being objective, the actors behind the US response called in mind not only the fact that the missiles were a threat to US stability and existence but a threat to the whole world. No one wanted a World War III. And so as much as everyone seemed to want to get rid of the missiles, of the Soviets, and even of Castro, their final course of action was directed toward the benefit of the greater majority of people. That is Classical Realism as presented in the “Thirteen Days”.
Monday, September 3, 2007
Die moderne Zeit
Ich bin immer wieder uberräscht, wie andere die Moderne Zeit ist. Heute finden wir uns in einer kleiner Welt. Wir sprechen mit unsere Verwandten in der ganzen Welt können. Wir sich anfreuden mit Menschen aus andere Kontinent können. Wir einkaufen in Informationstechnologie (online) können.
Gleichzeitig, wir finden uns in ein mehr kompliziert Welt. Wir haben Fernsehen, Mikrowelle, Rechner (computer), und so weiter unser Leben leichter machen. Aber manchmal, glaube ich Leben schwieriger werden.
Obwohl das Welt kleiner werden, wir sind beschäftigter werden. Heute haben wir hocher “life expectancy”, aber unser “death rate” Jugendlichen einschließen.
Immer überlege ich: Warum ist dass, obwohl wir mehr Medizin jetzt haben, wir haben mehr Menschen von Herz Krankheit, Krebs, und so weiter sterben? Warum ist dass, unser Jugendlichen früh auch sterben?
Ist die moderne Zeit ganze positiv? Oder hat sie beide positiver und negativer Anprall?
Gleichzeitig, wir finden uns in ein mehr kompliziert Welt. Wir haben Fernsehen, Mikrowelle, Rechner (computer), und so weiter unser Leben leichter machen. Aber manchmal, glaube ich Leben schwieriger werden.
Obwohl das Welt kleiner werden, wir sind beschäftigter werden. Heute haben wir hocher “life expectancy”, aber unser “death rate” Jugendlichen einschließen.
Immer überlege ich: Warum ist dass, obwohl wir mehr Medizin jetzt haben, wir haben mehr Menschen von Herz Krankheit, Krebs, und so weiter sterben? Warum ist dass, unser Jugendlichen früh auch sterben?
Ist die moderne Zeit ganze positiv? Oder hat sie beide positiver und negativer Anprall?
Thursday, August 9, 2007
Living High as a “Hypo”
The past three months are summer vacation here in the Philippines. As a full-time university student, it was my opportunity to relax and hang out with friends. But the opposite happened in my case; instead of an entire summer of enjoying, it was a summer of fear.
It all began when I started getting tired eyes every few minutes for basically entire days. Whenever my family and I went to a mall, I quietly wished I stayed home because I couldn’t keep my eyes open longer than two seconds. Instead of delighting in the cool air-conditioned centers, I was shivering in cold as my hands grew increasingly numb. At the screening of Spiderman 3, I didn’t even get to glue my eyes to every scene as my head started getting a dull ache.
For the next few days, I seemed dizzy most of the time. When I wake up, I have to stay motionless for several seconds as my eyes seemed to lose focus. I would have to close them, and then breathe deeply thrice before I can start walking. The dull aches at my head continued—sometimes at the side near the bases of my neck, often at either side of my temples. And to cap it off, I was having weird aches in either side of my stomach. I also started taking note of the fact that I haven’t had bowel movement in two consecutive days—and I even keep farting.
It was at that point that I couldn’t stop myself anymore. I started searching the Internet for all the signs and symptoms I was experiencing. As an inborn researcher, it wasn’t long before I diagnosed myself with cataract, dry eyes, meningitis, anemia, leukemia, stomach cancer, and brain tumor. I couldn’t remember the rest because they were less severe than the abovementioned.
Then I started “spotting”. Reddish to brownish blood appeared in my underwear. The catch? I just had my period two weeks before. I knew that was THE period because it was heavy and because it matched my regular month’s-end cycle. So I searched and searched and voila! I’ve got diagnoses for endometriosis, ectopic pregnancy, hypothyroidism, uterine fibroids, leukemia, STD, leukemia, ovarian cancer, and uterine cancer. I ruled out ectopic pregnancy and STD, since I am still a virgin (and so far an angel hasn’t appeared to me yet). And to shorten the list, I crossed out leukemia, too, since a close friend told me that people who get leukemia often have their nose bleeding for no reason. (Thank God my nose hasn’t bled ever—yet.) I also crossed out hypothyroidism as I know that the thyroid gland affects growth, and well, I stand 5’6”. (I know, stupid reason, but still that removes one worry.)
I started praying novenas and even made a pledge to pray the Rosary every day, along with continuous web searches and diagnoses. I also started joining online groups, in which I ask other users if they have ever felt anything similar to what I did and what they think it must be. The answers were kind and sympathetic. Several others recounted their own story. But I still wasn’t entirely convinced.
The rest of the “symptoms” plague me up to now. Out of fear that I would die for no apparent cause, leaving my loved ones confounded, I started sharing my fears to them. I told my best friend, my parents, and my aunt. I didn’t want more to know out of embarrassment (in case I really am healthy and all that) but they spread the word, anyway. They laughed at me (in a reproachful way) and repeated that I was too young to get sick. After all, our youngest relative who died of a serious illness was 37. I am just 18.
My mom’s best friend claimed that whenever we read something about illnesses, it is normal for our bodies to start “feeling” the symptoms too. But, I thought, I felt these symptoms even before I read about them. Every day, as another new sensation comes up, I ran to the computer and self-diagnosed myself. And every day, my list of illnesses gets longer, not to mention, harsher. In my frustration, I searched for this illness (if it is one).
And it is. Hypochondria (sometimes called hypochondriasis, not that it sounds better) is a health anxiety. “Hypo” is a phobia that makes a person think that he has an illness or will get one soon. Apparently, it is what I have.
“Hypo” usually afflicts those with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and I’m not surprised to have it as I am an OC. It can also be caused by depression, anxiety, and even stress (which I get lots of, I admit).
Whiteley Index, a recognized self-test for hypochondria, proves me right. I scored a whopping 64 (the highest is 70). And the page says: “Patients with hypochondria are found to have a score of 44 +/- 11 (32 to 55).” If so, then I am a super-hyper-mega-hypochondriac.
My seemingly eternal worries subsided when I discovered that I was not alone—there were many of us! One to five percent of all people are “hypos”. That means, of the almost 6.6 billion people on Earth, at least 66 million up to 330 million are just like me. I was utterly delighted.
Knowing that such illness exists have helped save my sanity, even more when I found out that I was not alone. Though I continue to check the Internet (tie my hands because I really can’t help it!) for a few aches here and there, I am less fearful of death. Life must go on. I may really have anemia and maybe I need new glasses, but I believe I am still too young to be seriously ill right now. Plus, I’m no longer bleeding, and my recent bowel was of normal size. (Smaller feces is a strong sign of stomach cancer.)
A balanced diet, moderate exercise, lots of sleep, and deep breathing are my new friends. After all, every problem has a solution. But I’d rather not create that problem myself.
It all began when I started getting tired eyes every few minutes for basically entire days. Whenever my family and I went to a mall, I quietly wished I stayed home because I couldn’t keep my eyes open longer than two seconds. Instead of delighting in the cool air-conditioned centers, I was shivering in cold as my hands grew increasingly numb. At the screening of Spiderman 3, I didn’t even get to glue my eyes to every scene as my head started getting a dull ache.
For the next few days, I seemed dizzy most of the time. When I wake up, I have to stay motionless for several seconds as my eyes seemed to lose focus. I would have to close them, and then breathe deeply thrice before I can start walking. The dull aches at my head continued—sometimes at the side near the bases of my neck, often at either side of my temples. And to cap it off, I was having weird aches in either side of my stomach. I also started taking note of the fact that I haven’t had bowel movement in two consecutive days—and I even keep farting.
It was at that point that I couldn’t stop myself anymore. I started searching the Internet for all the signs and symptoms I was experiencing. As an inborn researcher, it wasn’t long before I diagnosed myself with cataract, dry eyes, meningitis, anemia, leukemia, stomach cancer, and brain tumor. I couldn’t remember the rest because they were less severe than the abovementioned.
Then I started “spotting”. Reddish to brownish blood appeared in my underwear. The catch? I just had my period two weeks before. I knew that was THE period because it was heavy and because it matched my regular month’s-end cycle. So I searched and searched and voila! I’ve got diagnoses for endometriosis, ectopic pregnancy, hypothyroidism, uterine fibroids, leukemia, STD, leukemia, ovarian cancer, and uterine cancer. I ruled out ectopic pregnancy and STD, since I am still a virgin (and so far an angel hasn’t appeared to me yet). And to shorten the list, I crossed out leukemia, too, since a close friend told me that people who get leukemia often have their nose bleeding for no reason. (Thank God my nose hasn’t bled ever—yet.) I also crossed out hypothyroidism as I know that the thyroid gland affects growth, and well, I stand 5’6”. (I know, stupid reason, but still that removes one worry.)
I started praying novenas and even made a pledge to pray the Rosary every day, along with continuous web searches and diagnoses. I also started joining online groups, in which I ask other users if they have ever felt anything similar to what I did and what they think it must be. The answers were kind and sympathetic. Several others recounted their own story. But I still wasn’t entirely convinced.
The rest of the “symptoms” plague me up to now. Out of fear that I would die for no apparent cause, leaving my loved ones confounded, I started sharing my fears to them. I told my best friend, my parents, and my aunt. I didn’t want more to know out of embarrassment (in case I really am healthy and all that) but they spread the word, anyway. They laughed at me (in a reproachful way) and repeated that I was too young to get sick. After all, our youngest relative who died of a serious illness was 37. I am just 18.
My mom’s best friend claimed that whenever we read something about illnesses, it is normal for our bodies to start “feeling” the symptoms too. But, I thought, I felt these symptoms even before I read about them. Every day, as another new sensation comes up, I ran to the computer and self-diagnosed myself. And every day, my list of illnesses gets longer, not to mention, harsher. In my frustration, I searched for this illness (if it is one).
And it is. Hypochondria (sometimes called hypochondriasis, not that it sounds better) is a health anxiety. “Hypo” is a phobia that makes a person think that he has an illness or will get one soon. Apparently, it is what I have.
“Hypo” usually afflicts those with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and I’m not surprised to have it as I am an OC. It can also be caused by depression, anxiety, and even stress (which I get lots of, I admit).
Whiteley Index, a recognized self-test for hypochondria, proves me right. I scored a whopping 64 (the highest is 70). And the page says: “Patients with hypochondria are found to have a score of 44 +/- 11 (32 to 55).” If so, then I am a super-hyper-mega-hypochondriac.
My seemingly eternal worries subsided when I discovered that I was not alone—there were many of us! One to five percent of all people are “hypos”. That means, of the almost 6.6 billion people on Earth, at least 66 million up to 330 million are just like me. I was utterly delighted.
Knowing that such illness exists have helped save my sanity, even more when I found out that I was not alone. Though I continue to check the Internet (tie my hands because I really can’t help it!) for a few aches here and there, I am less fearful of death. Life must go on. I may really have anemia and maybe I need new glasses, but I believe I am still too young to be seriously ill right now. Plus, I’m no longer bleeding, and my recent bowel was of normal size. (Smaller feces is a strong sign of stomach cancer.)
A balanced diet, moderate exercise, lots of sleep, and deep breathing are my new friends. After all, every problem has a solution. But I’d rather not create that problem myself.
10 Sets of Sentences Using the Akkusativ und Dativ
Ich gehe ins Kino.
Im Kino sehe ich “Harry Potter 4”.
Am wochentags fahre ich in die Schule.
In der Schule lerne ich Englisch, Mathematik, und so weiter.
Am Wochenende gehe ich ins Kaufhaus.
Im Kaufhaus kaufe ich ein Kleid.
Manchmal gehe ich in die Kneipe.
In der Kneipe tanze ich mit meine Freunde.
Im Sommer fahren wir ins Manila Hotel.
Im Manila Hotel enstpannen wir.
Wir fahren in den Flughafen.
In dem Flughafen warten wir für Vati.
Ich gehe in die Telefonzelle.
In der Telefonzelle rufe ich meine Mutter.
Meine Mutter gehe in den Garten.
In dem Garten pflanzt sie einen Samen.
Sie fahren ins Gefängnis.
Im Gefängnis besuchen sie Erap.
Ich gehe in die Bibliothek.
In der Bibliothek lese ich Bücher.
Im Kino sehe ich “Harry Potter 4”.
Am wochentags fahre ich in die Schule.
In der Schule lerne ich Englisch, Mathematik, und so weiter.
Am Wochenende gehe ich ins Kaufhaus.
Im Kaufhaus kaufe ich ein Kleid.
Manchmal gehe ich in die Kneipe.
In der Kneipe tanze ich mit meine Freunde.
Im Sommer fahren wir ins Manila Hotel.
Im Manila Hotel enstpannen wir.
Wir fahren in den Flughafen.
In dem Flughafen warten wir für Vati.
Ich gehe in die Telefonzelle.
In der Telefonzelle rufe ich meine Mutter.
Meine Mutter gehe in den Garten.
In dem Garten pflanzt sie einen Samen.
Sie fahren ins Gefängnis.
Im Gefängnis besuchen sie Erap.
Ich gehe in die Bibliothek.
In der Bibliothek lese ich Bücher.
Ein Tratsch über Präsidentin Arroyo
Herr Ledesma (HL): Hast du schon gehört? Präsidentin Arroyo hat eine neuer Freund. Ich habe es im Fernsehen gesehen.
Frau Caranto (FC): Nein, wirklich?
HL: Also, Präsidentin Arroyo ist doch gestern in die USA gefahren. Aber nicht mit erster Gentleman Mike Arroyo. Nein, allein war sie.
FC: Was denn?
HL: Sie hat ein Zimmer im Hotel Hilton genommen. Morgens ist sie um elf Uhr aufgestanden und dann hat sie mit dem Freund gefrühstückt.
FC: Nein, wirklich? Mit dem Freund?
HL: Drei Tage ist er im Hotel geblieben. Morgens und nachmittags und abends unterhalten sie sich.
FC: Wirklich? Worüber unterhalten sie sich?
HL: Über Politik.
FC: Darüber interessiere ich mich nicht. Aber, warte! Sie unterhalten sich über Politik?
HL: Ja, sie unterhalten sich über Politik, jeden Tag!
FC: Ist ihr “Freund” groß?
HL: Ja, sehr groß. Aber Präsidentin Arroyo ist sehr kurz/klein.
FC: Ist er weiß?
HL: Ja, das ist richtig. Und seine Haare sind grau.
FC: Warte! Ist das er?
HL: Ja, das ist der neuer Freund von Präsidentin Arroyo.
FC: Ach der! Das ist Präsident Bush von USA.
HL: Wirklich??? Unglaublich.
FC: Aber wahr!
Frau Caranto (FC): Nein, wirklich?
HL: Also, Präsidentin Arroyo ist doch gestern in die USA gefahren. Aber nicht mit erster Gentleman Mike Arroyo. Nein, allein war sie.
FC: Was denn?
HL: Sie hat ein Zimmer im Hotel Hilton genommen. Morgens ist sie um elf Uhr aufgestanden und dann hat sie mit dem Freund gefrühstückt.
FC: Nein, wirklich? Mit dem Freund?
HL: Drei Tage ist er im Hotel geblieben. Morgens und nachmittags und abends unterhalten sie sich.
FC: Wirklich? Worüber unterhalten sie sich?
HL: Über Politik.
FC: Darüber interessiere ich mich nicht. Aber, warte! Sie unterhalten sich über Politik?
HL: Ja, sie unterhalten sich über Politik, jeden Tag!
FC: Ist ihr “Freund” groß?
HL: Ja, sehr groß. Aber Präsidentin Arroyo ist sehr kurz/klein.
FC: Ist er weiß?
HL: Ja, das ist richtig. Und seine Haare sind grau.
FC: Warte! Ist das er?
HL: Ja, das ist der neuer Freund von Präsidentin Arroyo.
FC: Ach der! Das ist Präsident Bush von USA.
HL: Wirklich??? Unglaublich.
FC: Aber wahr!
Einen Traum mit Gott
“Hören Sie bitte zu. Ich habe einen Traum. Es ist am achten Juni passiert…
Ich bin nach mein Haus gelaufen, als er vorbeigegangen. Es war Leo.
Leo. Leo ist mein Traummann. Er geht in meine Klasse. Aber er sieht mich nicht… Er war allein. Ich bin geschlichen hinter…
Er ist in den Wald gegangen. Also bin ich in den Wald gegangen. Er ist gerannt. Also bin ich gerannt. Es gibt einen See. Er ist schnell geflossen. Leo ist gesprungen in den See. Also bin ich gesprungen.
Aber er war sehr tief! Ich bin ertrunken. Hilfe! Hilfe! Aber Leo kann nichts hören. Leo, wo sind Sie? Ich sehe nicht ihn. Ich bin erschrocken.
Ich schrei und schrei. Hilfe! Hilfe! Und dann… Jemand trug mich. Leo! Aber nein… er oder sie oder es scheint wie die Sonne. Wie einen Engel. Und dann… Er ist verschwunden.
Dann bin ich aufgewacht. Ich glaube, das ist Gott. Ich glaube, in meinen Traum, Leo war die Welt und ihr Vergnügen. Und Gott ist mein Gott, mein Leben.”
Ich bin nach mein Haus gelaufen, als er vorbeigegangen. Es war Leo.
Leo. Leo ist mein Traummann. Er geht in meine Klasse. Aber er sieht mich nicht… Er war allein. Ich bin geschlichen hinter…
Er ist in den Wald gegangen. Also bin ich in den Wald gegangen. Er ist gerannt. Also bin ich gerannt. Es gibt einen See. Er ist schnell geflossen. Leo ist gesprungen in den See. Also bin ich gesprungen.
Aber er war sehr tief! Ich bin ertrunken. Hilfe! Hilfe! Aber Leo kann nichts hören. Leo, wo sind Sie? Ich sehe nicht ihn. Ich bin erschrocken.
Ich schrei und schrei. Hilfe! Hilfe! Und dann… Jemand trug mich. Leo! Aber nein… er oder sie oder es scheint wie die Sonne. Wie einen Engel. Und dann… Er ist verschwunden.
Dann bin ich aufgewacht. Ich glaube, das ist Gott. Ich glaube, in meinen Traum, Leo war die Welt und ihr Vergnügen. Und Gott ist mein Gott, mein Leben.”
FLORAL CANDLES of Photo Frames Plus
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Description Meta Tag: floral, candles, floral candles, exquisite, Photo Frames Plus, reasonable price, Photo Frames Plus, gift, super, store
Written by Amanda of Writers International
Written for photoframesplus
What does a wedding ceremony, a birthday, and a romantic dinner date all have in common?
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Photo Frames Plus, which goes by the slogan "Your Gift Super Store", can provide the perfect floral candles for any occasion. For as low as 78 cents, you can have that distinctively simple White Rose Candle Favors In Deluxe Box, or that Calla Lily Design Candle Favors. For those blooming in love, why don't you get yourselves the chic Glass Candle with Rose Top Pearl White, which goes for only $1.95?
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Who said only lovers need these candles? When your mother is nearing her 80th birthday, you can spare some $2.71 and get her a White Calla Lily Candle Lamp Favor. She’ll be surprised.
Whatever the occasion may be, make it more special with exquisitely-made Floral Candles. Only from Photo Frames Plus, your gift super store. See http://store.photoframesplus.com/wedding-favors-candles-floral.html for more floral candle items.
Description Meta Tag: floral, candles, floral candles, exquisite, Photo Frames Plus, reasonable price, Photo Frames Plus, gift, super, store
Written by Amanda of Writers International
Written for photoframesplus
What does a wedding ceremony, a birthday, and a romantic dinner date all have in common?
Besides being delightful celebrations, all these events make use of candles. But if you want an extra embellishment for that special event, plain lighted candles are not enough. You'll want those unique floral candles especially made for such special occasions.
Photo Frames Plus, which goes by the slogan "Your Gift Super Store", can provide the perfect floral candles for any occasion. For as low as 78 cents, you can have that distinctively simple White Rose Candle Favors In Deluxe Box, or that Calla Lily Design Candle Favors. For those blooming in love, why don't you get yourselves the chic Glass Candle with Rose Top Pearl White, which goes for only $1.95?
If you're planning to propose during a romantic dinner date in your penthouse or wherever, why don't you add a Rose Ball Candle in Gift Box with Matching Bow and Tag to the table? For only $1.20, this candle piece will surely make your mood for the night.
Who said only lovers need these candles? When your mother is nearing her 80th birthday, you can spare some $2.71 and get her a White Calla Lily Candle Lamp Favor. She’ll be surprised.
Whatever the occasion may be, make it more special with exquisitely-made Floral Candles. Only from Photo Frames Plus, your gift super store. See http://store.photoframesplus.com/wedding-favors-candles-floral.html for more floral candle items.
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