The West culture and the Middle East will never co exist. Our beliefs and way of life do not mix. There will always be conflict due to religion and oil and this will exist for many generations. In today’s world it is very hard for cultures with such different backgrounds to peacefully co exist. It is sad to say that but it’s the truth and it is how the world works. They judge us just as much as we judge them. Of course there are people over in Iraq and Afghanistan that are just innocent bystanders but there were also innocent Americans who died on 9/11.

Muslims especially fundamentalist take their religion very seriously. When a TV show from the Western world pokes fun at it in any way of course they are going to be angry. South Park is known to make fun of various groups such as Catholics, homosexuals and various others. In the United States most of us are open minded about it because we know that it’s not serious and they are just trying to get a laugh. People from the Middle East don’t see it like that and take it personally. I’m not surprised if it creates such controversy especially since the United States is already hated over there.

This might not be the same at other prisons but at least it is somewhere. I believe in the death penalty even though most people in the class don’t. It is a huge ethical debate that is always discussed. If a person commits such a horrible crime that they are put in that position they don’t deserve forgiveness especially if they take an innocent persons life. Something that Sam said in class about prisoners who were convicted but later proven innocent really intrigues me. I was at a Pearl Jam concert a few summers ago and they brought people who were wrongfully accused on stage. It really opened my mind into America’s judicial system and the problems it has. The prison system in America is full of people like this and their stories need to be told. This letter really opened my eyes.

I never visited a prison before but I would like to after hearing Sam’s experience and reading this letter. I don’t know anyone in prison serving any amount of time and I have never served time myself so I might not have the best insight on this subject. I think it’s easy for me to say how I feel without having any feelings for criminals. If I ever committed a serious crime and was put in prison I would not expect any forgiveness from people outside prison. I think it’s great that Sam and his wife spend time with these inmates and get to know them. Prisoners should have some outlet to the outside world and have their thoughts and opinions shared. In the letter he speaks of the bonds prisoners share and human feelings they have.

This letter really opened my eyes. It gave me a rare insight into an inmate’s everyday life and true feeling after realizing he is never getting out of prison. I don’t feel bad for these lifers who are born again after serving time but at least I now understand what it’s like to have your life taken away from you. I’m sure families and individuals who have been affected by criminals don’t feel forgiving even after reading a letter like this and they have the right to. These criminals are serving life in prison for a reason. At one point in their life they made a bad decision and now they have to pay for it. It is a good thing that they realize what they did was wrong and are reflecting on it, that’s what prison is for. I think students should visit these prisoners and get to know them as real people not animals locked up. These people have feelings just like us and want to share it.

I can see why someone would be angry that they ate the second piece of chocolate but that was their decision. I ate my second piece even though I knew how it got to me. Of course how it is made is horrible but it’s not going to stop me from eating chocolate. Slaves make most the things we eat and use across the world but it doesn’t mean I’m going ban Walmart. If these slaves didn’t make the chocolate the price of chocolate would go through the roof and no one would buy it. It’s how the world turns it sucks but that’s how it is.

I’m sure I’m with the majority on this one who believe this game is disturbing. The fact that someone would create such a game is beyond me. How someone could play this game and enjoy themselves shows me how much the world is changing. I’m glad that this game has been taken off the shelves. There is no way you could compare this type of game to shooting games. I know that people say that they promote violence but raping a girl on a train in my opinion is tad bit more offensive. I never heard of this game to now and I hope that children in the United States never play it.

The points this guy makes are pretty outrageous. I do not support anything this guy says and have strong feelings against his opinions. I do not care how long this guy’s family had lived in America; it doesn’t give him the right to think he’s more deserving than anyone else.

His feeling on troops abroad makes no sense. Bringing all the troops back to the United States will do more harm than good. I know parents who have sons and daughters in the military most likely wont agree with me but they joined for a reason. Joining the armed forces entails you to do whatever the United States wants you to do. They can send you to another country or keep you here; you do what you are told. If I joined the Army and they sent me to Iraq I would do as I was told and go. Other than 9/11 our country has not been attacked even with so many troops abroad. I also wouldn’t blame 9/11 on having troops abroad. If we had a large base in New York City I doubt the terrorist would not have decided to fly two planes into the towers. Also it would be a waste of money to keep so many soldiers home. It’s not like we are bordered by two super power countries with large militaries. No matter where you put the troops war will always happen and soldiers will die. Illegal immigrants will always try to cross the border no mater how dangerous it is.

His stance on illegal immigration is shared by many people in this country and I somewhat agree with him. I somewhat agree with him that it is only doing harm for the United States but I am not as angered as he is. Our country is doing its best to patrol the borders but it is impossible to stop everyone from getting in. Our country is going through a huge transition like it did when immigrants came over from Europe. Back then the United States had room and resources to take all those people. At this time our country is growing at an alarming rate and will not be able to withstand for much longer. The economic status in the United States is not good right now and most people are blaming immigrants for taking jobs even though there is much more to it.

Finally his whole rant on Obama is pretty outrageous. People voted for him for a reason. Not everyone is going to agree with his policies or beliefs but he is our president and we should support him. I didn’t vote for him but I back him up. If you thought he was going to change the world his first term you’re an idiot.

When I grew up I also was surrounded by a lot of people from different ethnicities and culture. It definitely helped me learn more about them since I was so young and innocent. As I grew up and went to high school and college I met a lot of people who didn’t have the experience I had and seemed not as up to beat as I was when it came to different cultures and people. I don’t know if it was because I was at a young age and had different experiences then others but it seemed to help me meet others who were different than me.

I guess you could say you have the best of both words. You are basically playing on two teams when it comes to race. I believe it is up to you and how you feel about your race. If you feel more Hispanic since that is they way you were raised you should feel Hispanic. Just because you have some white in you doesn’t mean you have to relate to it unless you want to. I have European heritage in both sides of my family and I look white all around so it’s a lot easier for me to choose a side. It’s not a bad situation your in, just relate to whatever race you feel more confident with.