PLN 5

Every year, thousands of children go missing. Some are never found, some are found dead, but some are found alive and in the oddest of places. CNN's Toddler rescued after 27 hours in well talks about one Indian girl named Vandana who was found in a well outside of New Delhi after being trapped at the bottom of it for 27 hours.

This toddler’s story relates to the world because Vandana was reported as having been the sixth child to fall into a well or uncovered pit in the last two years in India. So many times, children go missing, and either are never found, or are found too late. Often times, these children aren’t even noticed as being missing. So often, no one even searches for lost children, because they caused problems in their families financially, and it is easier not to bother looking. It is such a relief when children are found and returned to loving families after ordeals like this.

This article matters to me because I believe Vandana’s story was a small miracle. She had been in the 45 ft deep well for 27 hours without food water, or fresh air. When She was found, Vandana was calm, and more importantly conscience, which made it much easier to help her. Though the girl probably suffered from dehydration, doctors reported her health as normal, which is a miracle in itself. Many people (myself included) would probably not be in such good shape after spending the night in a pit, with no food, water, or good, clean, oxygen.
My English class read Peace Like a River by Leif Enger. The narrator, Rueben described miracles as things that were meant to bug you. True miracles made your skin crawl; they scare you. Hearing Vandana’s story scared me. It made me realize how dangerous life is for small children in third world countries. However, I find relief in the fact that there are still so many children out there like Vandana who get help in time, and make it out, unscarred.

PLN 4

Every parent wants the best for their child. Even children born with disabilities deserve the best their parents can give. However, what happens when a couple's desire to make their disabled daughter happy turns into a desire to play God? In CNN's Disabled girl's parents defend growth-stunting treatment by Amy Burkholder, Ashley's sad story is told.

Ashley was born with cerebral palsy and would only ever have the brain capacity of a six-month-old. Her parents (who remain anonymous) loved and cared for her despite the severe brain damage. Things turned bad when her parents decided that her brain wouldn’t be the only thing that never matured. At age six, Ashley’s parents had Washington doctors perform a hysterectomy breast surgery, and inject high amounts of estrogen into her body to prevent her from ever growing up.

This article matters to the world because Ashley’s parents now want to make it legal for other families with children like Ashley to undergo the same operation. Many call this an outrage, perverse, and disgusting. Ashley’s parents stated, “ this would make it easier to cuddle and carry a child who can do little more than lie propped up on a pillow.” Is it fair that Ashley will never grow, never have her period, never grow breasts, never be a woman simply because her parents thought it would be easier for them to cuddle her? There are hundreds if not thousands of "pillow children" as those like Ashley are called who are just fine without this operation. It is not fair to play God with this girl's life. It is true, Ashley will never have children, nor will she get married, but does that make it right to rob her of her right as a living, breathing human being to grow up whole?

This article matters to me because of how Ashley's parents have restricted her. Having worked with disabled children last year, I know what they can be capable of if we let them try. I helped a boy with severe autism learn animals and phrases in Spanish, and even a year later, he recalls them. My fellow students helped a young girl with spinal bifidia and other mental disabilities learn how to speak quite well in sign language. Given the chance, even the most impaired are capable of great things. It is true, children like Ashley may never be great successes, may never go to the moon, write a best-selling novel, or even walk on their own, but as Anne Radar, one 43 year-old woman with cerebral palsy put it, "it's dehumanizing" to take away a child's right to even age like every other human on the planet.

"The parents are not seeing the potential of the child; they are seeing a baby," says Radar. Yes, Ashley's brain may never mature to anything older than that of a six-month-old, but is it fair to take away the chance for her body to do so?

So, my fellow bloggers, my fellow humans, what do you think?

PLN 3

Cruelty in any case is generally frowned upon in the modern world. Apparently, one marine who was stationed in Iraq didn't get the message. Video appears to show Marine abusing puppy by CNN.com talks about how one marine, who has not been identified, was taped throwing a black and white puppy over the edge of a cliff.

This article matters to the world because of the image it sends. This man (we are assuming it was a man) was a U.S. marine. Not only has he made himself look like a monster, but he has given marines a bad name. U.S. marines are supposed to be men and women who we can look upon in times of danger. Marines are suppose to be portrayed as heroes, but now, many might see them only as monsters. After viewing the shocking You Tube video (which is not online anymore, so don't bother looking) it is a little hard to look at marines with respect anymore.

This article relates to me because this is in fact, a crime of animal abuse. Recently, our English class did a group project where we created Public Service Announcements. My group discussed animal abuse. Not only this, but as a young puppy, my own dog was abuse by her breeder. This marine threw a young dog off a cliff like it was a rotting banana. Unused, unloved, he sent it away, without a thought.

I have always had a respect for the brave men and women who fight to protect this country. I am proud to have so many people fighting for my freedom. However, the act this man committed is completely deplorable and brings shame to all marines.

PLN 2

Though the rate of teen deaths killed in car crashes has dropped by more than a third, too many are still dying on the road. It doesn't take a genius to discover where all these deaths come from. Teen deaths in vehicular accidents are due to one main factor: not buckling up. State laws drive down teen-motorist deaths by Kieran Nicholson of the Denver Post talks about how if more teens buckled up, less would die on the road. This article also talks about how state officials have started creating more serious punishments for drivers and passengers who are not buckled up.

This article matters because it concerns the future. Though less teens are dying on the road, 43 died in Colorado alone last year. Teenagers do not realize how dangerous cars can be, and they never realize that they might die on their way home from school. If the adults of the future continue on this path, how will it look in 20 years. If teens aren't taught how to take care of themselves on the road, how can they be expected to teach their children? If they can't even buckle up themselves, where will their children learn to?

This article matters to me because as I am in highschool, most of my fellow students drive. It is frightening to know that teenagers my age die every day simply because they didn't buckle up. Our school even has a sign near the parking lot that says Buckle up-somebody out there needs you! It never regesters in a teen's mind that not buckling up might cost them their life. I will be driving soon (granted I get my permit) and I always buckled up as a child, and have no intention of changing my habits now. However, many young people my age do not take buckling up as seriously. Atleast one student who attended my school died in a car accident, hence the sign near the parking lot. I don't understand how students can see signs like ours, or hear stories like so many others, and not see how important it is to buckle up.