Panhandling in Portland

Sean Kenny

Wed May 29

Red Day, Block 2

Panhandling in Portland

        While in Portland, no matter where I'm going, I almost always see at least one man or woman holding a sign and asking for money. They will usually say 'God bless you.' or Homeless, please help.', or even have a pet with them [for sympathy?]. That's happened only a couple of times. But very rarely do I see people stop to actually give them money. It does happen, just not often. So why do they spend so much time, getting very little money from strangers they've done nothing to earn? They could be spending the majority of the time looking for a job, because even if it takes a while, eventually they will find one. If thirty people died like the article said, that means at least two people every month were dying on our streets. If they aren't smart enough to stay away from that living style, maybe the government should take action, and outlaw panhandling. Then they won't have a choice but to find employment.

Threshold for Drunken Driving

Sean Kenny

Fri May 24

Red Day, Block 2

Threshold for Drunken Driving

     I believe what the author of this article is saying, is very true. They say lowering the threshold of blood-alcohol content from .08%, to .05%, is useless, because 99% of people who are currently breaking the first law, are getting away with it anyway. Nobody is going to start following the rules, just because they would only be further breaking them otherwise.

The author says that, before making people less drunk on our roads, lets take care of the people who are already going past the legal limit, with checkpoints, and taxes on alcohol. By doing this, 85% of those already breaking the law (the binge drinkers), will be forced to drink less by the tax infringed on them, and the money made by the government, can be used to build the checkpoints, busting the people who still are going beyond the legal limit.

I completely agree with what he/she is saying. The logic in his/her theory makes perfect sense.

(Current) Maine Evaluation System

Sean Kenny

Mon Wed 20, 2013

Red Day, Block 2

(Current) Maine Evaluation System

 

         I do not think our current system is very fair, if we are all graded the same. With slight alterations, a school can move from an 'F,' to a 'C' or 'B?' The new system such as in the article, similar to NCAA, where there are groups of similar school, that get their own funding amount, and are ranked differently seems much more fair. This way, resources are also equally distributed, based on location, or school.

Romeo And Juliet- Book/Movie Adaptation Differences

Sean Kenny

Fri Apr 26

Red Day, Block 2

Romeo And Juliet- Book/Movie Adaptation Differences

        Aside from any differences in setting, there are a few small things that separate the book from the movie. In the very beginning, the two men in the ally, or in the car, are from  the opposite family. This takes place in the scene where you first meet Tybalt, and Benvolio. Next, is that, Marcutio gives LSD to Romeo before leaving towards the party/ball at the Capulet's Mansion (in the movie). The final and largest differences take place in the second to last bit of the play, where Romeo gives his final goodbyes to Juliet when he thinks she's dead. For one, Balthazar doesn't leave half-way across the town before getting to the tomb. Then, Romeo never takes a hostage to enter the tomb, because nobody is keeping him from the tomb. The watch/police don't come until the final part. And when he enters, Paris should be waiting before he talks with Juliet. In the movie, he isn't there, and neither is his page. So, Romeo doesn't fight him, and lay him beside Juliet before dying. Lastly, Juliet in the book doesn't wake up until Romeo has been dead for a short time, to nearly stop him from drinking the poison.

Poor Law, Town Meeting

Sean Kenny

Tue Mar 14

Red Day, Block 2

Poor Law, Town Meeting

     Josh - Josh did not give me his character's name, but he did tell me a lot about the character itself. As an orphan Josh, spent every day begging for change and food because he was too young to work. He helped pay for his orphan siblings also. He wanted to pass this law because it mean he would get food and money for no cost to himself, or his sibling. This also meant leaving the humiliation of begging on the street behind him.

     Joseph - Joseph also did not give me his character's name, and we ran out of time while asking questions. But, from what I gathered, he was a nobleman, who did not want to pass the law. He thought others should work for money just as he did to acquire his wealth and power.

     Connor - Connor was a transgender which, just above the poverty line. He/she has a deep voice, and light British accent. He did not want to pass the law because he could not afford to pay any more than he does for himself, towards others.

Elizibethan Era - Town Meeting Thing [Candle Maker]

Sean Kenny

My Chandler

3/1

Biography

        My name is Leon. I have always been fond of making candles, but am extremely lazy when it comes to things I don't set my mind to. I always enjoyed doing my own thing when crafting the candles I used to sell, but now I find myself lying in my bed, simply thinking about nothing.

I was young when I lost my parents. Around seven years old. My house burnt down, because my father owned money to men, and couldn't pay them back.

Both of them were in there when it happened, but I escaped after finding they couldn't be saved. I knew of no other family I could turn to afterwards, but a nobleman found me, he took me in until I was old enough to make it on my own.
I was never truly happy after I was on my own again. I felt lonely. Even though it me who decided it was time to leave. I fell asleep on a bench, too lazy to walk across town to my home. But was rudely awoken by a Chandler. I had slept on the bench right outside his store.

After being brought in to the store to warm up, I saw the beautiful candles on the shelves. I had never seen any quite like them, even in the nobleman's manner. These ones were detailed, and had different layers inside of them. Seeing I was intrigued, he took me under his wing, and taught me how to make these candles. And as his apprentice, I never risked disrespecting him, he was my master. After nearly mastering the art, he let me run the shop with him. That's how things are now, except, he has become very frustrated with my inability to follow instruction. We have lost much money because of me not completing orders.

-

3/5

Journal Entry [#1]

     Today was another hopeless one. I woke up, ate breakfast, and stayed in my quarters for hours before using the bathroom, and going to sleep. The days seem short, and the nights long, but I fear if this goes on, I will lose my job, and be on my own forever.

I accomplish nothing and every hour that goes by is wasted by my inability to leave my home and go to work.

Journal Entry [#2]

     While I have many problems, the biggest one I face, is my horrid habit of procrastinating. I used to put things off for longer and longer, until they would be rushed. Now, I seldom get them done at all.

As mentioned in a previous entry, I will be fired for staying in bed, telling myself that I will get up and leave soon. Eventually, I won't even be lying to myself like that. Is it because of my laziness, as grateful as I am to the nobleman, did he turn me into a spoiled man? I am not unfit, but I am certainly not in peak form, what shall I do?

-

3/7

The Poor Law [Opinion]

        Apparently, a new law is pressing, stating, those who need work, will get work. Those who refuse work, will be whipped, and those incapable of work, will be payed. I believe because I have a job, but am not doing it, I will be whipped. And while I believe in helping those others, I don't want to be whipped. I'm not selfish, I'm lazy. And I've made such a poor habit of it, I can't swing myself to even do it anymore. I know I will be whipped, but I also know those others need help. I will chose the side of the law.

The Whistler?

Sean Kenny

Wed Feb 27

Red Day, Block 2

The Whistler?

        As apparent by the article, there is a man in downtown Portland, whistling very loud, trying to spread joy by doing so. This is the very same man who has been arrested four times, bothered many shop owners, and in possibly a drug dealer, thief, and verbal assaulter. It was told to be true, that he does make some people happy, but how many more people does he anger? He is making dogs upset, and annoying people by being so loud. Normally, somebody whistling at a normal tone, while walking isn't hurting a thing, but he knows how to be quiet, he knows how to walk while he does it, and he certainly knows this is excessively irritating. I think he should not be aloud to whistle in this way if it bothers so many people.

Bed Time?

Sean Kenny

Tue Feb 12

Red Day, Block 2

 

Bed Time?

 

        I agree we don't get enough sleep. I think it's our faults, for not going to bed early enough. But, we are teenagers. We stay up so we don't miss anything at night (on TV, Facebook, etc.), and sleep in to make up for it. So, I know it sounds like a poor idea to give us more time to sleep in, so we stay up later. But when it's light out, we get up. When it's still dark, we sleep. I also agree in what the article said about not having time for sports, which more kids do as they grow older- But young kids are up at the crack of dawn, and they stay up. They also don't take long to ready themselves. So, I believe we should switch the high-school schedule, with that of the elementary schools. They go to bed earlier anyway.

Allen Walker

Sean Kenny

Thu Feb 7

Red Day, Block 2

Allen Walker

       In my story (D. Gray-Man), the protagonist is a boy named Allen. He is an exorcist, who lives to destroys evil spirits called "Akuma". Allen has a cursed left hand, so it is larger, red, and has a cross in the center of his back-hand. Because of this hand, Allen was abandoned by his parents at birth, and raised by a man named Mana. Allen is part of the Black Order, an organization that tries to expel Akuma for a safer world. I believe he is the protagonist because he has a goal, and multiple obstacles and enemies. [For instance; Allen wants to save two others from an Akuma, but the area becomes a maze, and the Akuma is hunting said others.]

PS: They also say Allen is the main character, and protagonist.

Our Project

For me and Emma's project, we've decided to make a small diorama (in a shoebox), with a representation of the book's cover in the background. The cover has a few changes though. There is a cave next to the Spirit Bear with the title, and beneath Cole's feet are rocks that can be lifted by folding them upward. Under these rocks are facts about the book. We will also find an area to right a summaries of the book somewhere.

- Sean Kenny

The Road Not Taken

Sean Kenny

Fri Feb 1

Red Day, Block 2

The Road Not Taken

        I believe the poem "The Road Not Taken", can mean a great number of things. But the way I interpret it in a sense where, people are being asked to take their own path. To be themselves, and not be like anybody else. Where you don't need to have the same outlook, or style as nearly every other human being that you may be exposed to.

Arming the Teachers

Sean Kenny

Wed Jan 30

Red Day, Block 2

Arming the Teachers

        I completely understand that school shootings are serious, and need to be treated gently, and in away that keeps both student, and teachers safe. So, if a gun is what has caused all of this previous violence, is putting them in the hands of somebody surrounded by children really a good idea? Just a thought, maybe they could have a little more security in schools (metal detector, locked doors, etc.), and a lock-down/panic room in between each class.

Simply by having the teacher carry the gun can make them responsible for protecting the children and other staff. This in itself puts the teacher in danger. I agree with the statement in the article "A gun safety course and good aim are not enough to prepare someone for a once-in-a-lifetime gunfight in a crowded school full of vulnerable students. Police and military personnel train strenuously to prepare for these situations, and even they sometimes make a mistake." So why traumatize half the kids shooting down an intruder, when you can prevent him or her from entering the building armed.

Bring Back the Draft?

Sean Kenny

Mon Jan 28

Red Day, Block 2

Bring Back the Draft?

        Some people are arguing that we should bring back the draft. They believe we are making reckless decisions with our soldiers, only because they volunteered to fight for our country. They also believe that the public should 'have a stake in the wars we fight'. I think what we should do, is have people who have previously served or are currently serving make the decisions for our soldiers, not the president our the public. But not reinstating the draft. Not letting people have a say in weather or not they should fight is unfair, and some people really aren't meant to be in the armed forces. Putting these kind of people in could lead to even more of what happened over the past decade; more than 2 million soldiers have served in Iraq and Afghanistan. The Iraq war took more than 4,422 lives and wounded some 32,000 in nine years; to date, 2,168 American soldiers have died and 18,215 have been wounded in Afghanistan. Soldiers who did sign up to fight ended up in these conditions, people who are forced could be left even worse, and those numbers could grow, very fast.

Can We Do Both?

Sean Kenny

Jan. 7th, 2013

Red Day, Block 2

Can We Do Both?

 

I believe the best course for us to take would be simply by watching how we mine. And It's true that we need jobs, but, we also need to protect the environment and water health. By watching ourselves, maybe we can do both. If anything gets "out of hand," we just need to slow down, and change how we do it. There must be a way to mine while we keep our surroundings in check.