A New Cold War? by Patricia smith

i've recently read an article called "A New Cold War?" by Patricia smith in which Patricia discusses the recent dispute between Russia and America. Putin and Obama have been arguing recently because of the new tragic events in syria. syria has been involved in acts of violence using chemical weapons, so Obama decided to step in and help syrian citizens. However, Russia is a partner with syria and does not want America to be involved with and repress syria.

Obama is furious with how uncooperative Putin is being, he believes it is more important to think about the future and not focus on the past. the serious issue today is that syria is undertaking a hard blow from syrian enforcers, Obama has decided to send help and try to repress the syrian government from hurting their citizens. Putin opposes this and seems to be using the same approach as he did over 22 years ago when the Soviet Union was still together, which is resisting America and using less of their products and things they have to offer. Obama believes this is ridiculous and that they need to attempt a different approach at the issue, he believes they need stop arguing with each other and start focusing on what is actually happening. Obama thinks poorly of Russia because Russia is kicking out American aid and banning Americans to adopt Russian children. He thinks Russia is just boycotting Americans and American programs because America is threatening to cut off connections between Russia and syria by repressing syrian government from using weapons.

Putin is very unhappy with the situation Obama has created for him. Putin and syrian president; bashar al-assad, have been partners for years. Russia has supplied syria with millions of dollars worth of weapons for years, they clearly have a very close and important trade relationship. With Obama trying to repress syrian government from using weapons, he has also cut off trade with Russia and syria. As opposition, Russia decided to prohibit use of American programs and restrict Americans from having privileges involving Russia and Russians. America did not take this well and dispute between Obama and Putin arose, Obama thinks Putin is being childish and difficult to work with, and Putin is very unhappy with the limit Obama has put on his strong trading system.        

All in all, current events involving syria also effect many other places. Obama is trying to control syrian government, but Russia is trying to stop Obama from restricting syrian government. A dispute in syria also caused a dispute between Russia and America. This shows that drastic changes in one place can also spark drastic changes in other places around it. Many people can be hurt by the actions of just a certain group of people.

“The ‘sick-lit’ books aimed at children: it’s a disturbing phenomenon. Tales of teenage cancer, self harm, and suicide…” by Tanith Carey

In the article, “The ‘sick-lit’ books aimed at children: it’s a disturbing phenomenon. Tales of teenage cancer, self harm, and suicide…” by Tanith Carey, Carey describes inappropriate themes in young adult fiction. She explains the many dark themes targeted for young readers. She shows that many young adult fiction books have serious medical issues such as cancer, eating disorders, and other self mutilation methods. Reading books like this can cause readers who have self harmed before, get back into the habit again. It can also give people who have never thought of the idea before the motivation and want to self harm. One thing Carey does is show the perspective of someone who was affected by these books. Jess, a girl who already self harmed, said “I’d finish reading and immediately reach for my blade.” She also only gives examples of books involving cancer or self harm; she shows no examples of books with other issues that are also in the young adult fiction category. Another thing she does is, she refers to young adult fiction readers as children or young people but not simply as young adults.  She makes young adults seem like victims of young adult fiction to convince readers that young adult fiction can and does harm “children”.

                Tanith Carey wants me to think that reading young adult fiction is harmful to the young audience it is intended for. She points out how it teaches young readers about serious, real life issues. She uses example books that have either cancer or self mutilation in them. “Coincidence? Hardly. Another children’s novel- Before I Die- about a 16- year- old British girls who, you will have guessed, is dying of cancer.” She makes us think that ‘children’ are being exposed to serious issues that are way too complex and harsh. Another thing she does is show quotes from people who were affected by these books. She includes a quote from a girl who started self harming again because she read “Red Tears” by Joanna Kenrick.  She gets us to think that it was directly and only the book that made her tip back into her bad habit again. She makes us think that these books can hit too close to home to read for some previous self-harmers. Finally, she really emphasizes that these books should not be given to people under a certain age and can relate to self mutilation. She quotes Laura Haddow from selfharm.co.uk, who expresses that young persons should not read young adult fiction unless under adult supervision. She points out how parents should check on what books their children are reading so they don’t fall victim to self harm. She wants us to think that only a specific group of people are eligible to read these books.

                I understand her point of view; I can see how these books may seem very inappropriate for their intended audience. However, I think it may be a good thing that these books are somewhat inappropriate. Carey points out how these books include very serious issues such as cancer and self mutilation. I think reading books about these topics is a good alternative to finding out about them. Young adults need to know about these issues, they can’t be sheltered forever, and some young adult books can be good teaching texts. She also points out how it has made some people slip back into self harming and even got some teens to start self harming. I think that as long as the reader of young adult fiction has someone mature, like a parent, there for them then they should be safe from self harm. These books can be very good for someone who has self harmed or is thinking about it. Reading these books can give them something to relate to. These books also can convince readers to think that they’re not alone. Phil Earle, author of Saving Daisy, says, “When young people are lost in such traumatic states, it’s vital they don’t feel alone.” This shows the importance of young adult fiction and how it can help struggling teens.

                In conclusion, I think that young adult fiction is good for teens. I think it can be inappropriate and hit close to home, but it can also be a teaching tool and something to relate to. I understand Carey’s point of view and I understand why young adult fiction can be considered dark, but I think only under specific conditions is it unsafe to read. 

Faithful Elephants by Yukio Tsuchiya
     In class, we read a beautiful and touching story called "Faithful Elephants" by Yukio Tsyuchiya. In this story, zoo keepers must kill the elephants in the Ueno zoo because they are worried bombs might drop on the zoo and animals will run loose. The zoo keepers are very emotionally attached to the elephants and have a very hard time killing them, but must in order to insure citizens safety.
     The zoo keepers try to kill John, one of the Elephants, by mixing poisoned potatoes with the regular potatoes John eats. John picks out the only the good potatoes and the zookeepers must find another way to kill him. The zookeepers are obviously upset by this. It almost seems like fate that the elephants didn't die. It seems, to the zookeepers, like they are going against fate by trying to kill them. It pains the zookeepers to do something that seems so wrong, but they know they must do it. I think the process is stressful for not only the elephants, but also the zookeepers. They will have to watch and insure that they die.
     When they try to inject poison directly into the John, it doesn't work either. the needle snaps off and they must find yet another way to kill their beloved "children", as a zookeeper referred to the elephants. At this point, the zookeepers must feel incredibly guilty about trying to kill the elephants. Whenever they try to kill John painlessly, it doesn't work. The zookeepers probably think it is a sign that he did not die. They know that it is wrong to kill the elephants but they know that they have to. I think the zookeepers love the elephants dearly but would be much more relieved if they died. If the elephant died on the first attempt made to kill him, the zookeepers wouldn't be as stressed and worked up as they are now.
     Finally, the zookeepers decide to starve the elephants to death. This does work, but it is a slow and painful death. It is agonizing for both the elephants and the zookeepers. The elephants must suffer every moment they are alive, this is the last thing the zookeepers want. After such a painful and long time, when the elephants did die, it was a relief and not necessarily a sad moment. After all they've been through, death is a happy moment where they finally stop suffering. "They just lay on their sides, hardly able to see the white clouds floating in the sky over the zoo". This quote shows a peaceful scene, not one of sorrow, but one of relief and finally being able to rest. I think the author is trying to show that the elephants are in a better place now, they have stopped suffering and are free from the harsh reality of war procedures. Death was the solution to stop their pain.
    All in all, I think that death is not always a bad thing. It can be an end to suffering. the people around the victim may not wish for them to die, but it may be for the best if they are in pain. It is worse to see someone you love dying and suffering than dead and relieved of misery. "Cherry blossoms fell on the grave, like snowflakes". This quote shows that the grave represents not only death but peace and rest.