Pope Francis Describes Armenian Killing as Genocide

Huffington Post
On April 12, Pope Francis has described the killings of the Armenian people by the Ottoman Turks, in 1915, as "the first genocide of the 20th century" which sparked a rift with Turkey. As soon as Turkey heard this, they immediately summoned the Vatican ambassador to complain. "The pope's statement which is far from historic and legal truths is unacceptable," Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu tweeted. "Religious positions are not places where unfounded claims are made and hatred is stirred." The Pope announced that it was his duty to honor the memory of the 1.5 million men, women and children that were murdered by the Ottoman Turks a 100 years ago. "Concealing or denying evil is like allowing a wound to keep bleeding without bandaging it," he said at the start of a Mass in the Armenian Catholic rite in St. Peter's Basilica honoring the centenary. Turkey's embassy to the Holy See canceled a planned news conference for Sunday, presumably after learning that the pope would utter the word "genocide" over its objections. Instead, the Foreign Ministry in Ankara issued a statement conveying its "great disappointment and sadness." It said the pope's words signaled a loss in trust, contradicted the pope's message of peace and was discriminatory because Francis only mentioned the pain of Christians, not Muslims or other religious groups. Reaction to the pope's declaration on the streets in Istanbul was mixed. Some said they supported it, but others did not agree.
"I don't support the word genocide being used by a great religious figure who has many followers," said Mucahit Yucedal, 25. "Genocide is a serious allegation." The definition of genocide has long been contentious. The United Nations in 1948 defined genocide as killing and other acts intended to destroy a national, ethnic, racial or religious group, but many dispute which mass killings should be called genocide.

Art in Public Spaces

"The Magic of Creating Art in Public Spaces"

Alice Pasquini

"I have an academic background in art, and that's part of the reason I decided to get out into the streets. 'Art died with Duchamp, forget about drawing' -- that's what my professors taught me and that's why I wanted to get out of the studio and the academy. I wanted to find a stronger artistic potential: on the streets, I'm able to provoke a reaction in people and in the environment." Street Artist Alice Pasquini has provided her input on the magic of creating art in public spaces.She is interested in representing emotions, in a narrative style of art. She likes to create works of art that are universal and timeless. She paint moments of everyday life: moments that represent life's magic. I am sure that the real key to life is the way we choose to live every single moment."As an artist who works outside, you always have one problem: you work someplace which isn't your own, where you don't live and to which you may not even return. What you do should be artistically or politically important. But it is not a given that it will be a positive for the people who have to live with it every day. This is a risk I take with my form of art" (Pasquini,1). These words are inspirational to readers and other artists. Seeing passionate artists prosper and succeed in what they love, is a beautiful aspect of life. 

Gender Roles and its Impact on Society

Since the beginning of time, gender roles have had a major impact on society. About a century ago, women were suffering for rights to vote and for equal rights as men. Women are still struggling for equal rights as men. I do not define myself as a hardcore feminist, but I am a supporter of fighting for women's rights. I do not see why there should be a difference between men and women. Why is gender a classification? When someone is applying for a job, on the resume it asks if you are a female or a male. I do not understand why there is that classification. A female is just as capable of completing and succeeding at a job, just as much as a man is. The classification of a female and a male should be abolished because gender should not be playing a role in society, even though it already does. Today, in the world of work, women are still treated and being payed less than men, because of their gender. This is a proven fact. However, it should not be. Gender plays a role in society, which leads to long arguments from opposing sides and contributes to protests. I am not saying that women are superior to men. I am saying that women should be seen as equal to men. Men and women are both capable of being intelligent, outgoing and hardworking. Their personality and intelligence has nothing to do with their gender. Gender should not be a classification and should not have the impact it has on society as it has.

March Across Selma Bridge

"'Bloody Sunday' Anniversary Commemorated with March Across Selma Bridge"

  NY Times

Tens of thousands of people paraded across a Selma, Alabama bridge on Sunday to commemorate the 1965 "Bloody Sunday" march, not waiting for dignitaries who had planned to lead them in marking the 50th anniversary of a turning point in the U.S. civil rights movement. In contrast to the police violence that marked the original march half a century ago, the mood was often celebratory, at times festive, as an estimated 70,000 demonstrators cheered, sang "We Shall Overcome" and carried signs as they walked across the Edmund Pettus Bridge. Bloody Sunday on March 7, 1965, took its name from the beating that roughly 600 peaceful civil rights activists sustained at the hands of white state troopers and police who attacked them with batons and sprayed them with tear gas."It's very crowded but at the same time it's fun and really great to see everybody coming together all races, all people," one woman told CNN as marchers began moving across the bridge. A large group of people started walking across the bridge at the appointed time, before dignitaries could be brought to the front to lead them. Among the group were demonstrators who took part in the 1965 march, as well as others calling for immigration and gay rights. President Barack Obama visited Selma on Saturday and declared the work of the U.S. civil rights movement advanced but unfinished in the face of ongoing racial tensions.

The Office

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OkN6OV-ueTQ

The Office is a very popular sitcom that was aired first in 2005 and was last aired in 2013. It is  mockumentary on a group of typical office workers, where the workday consists of ego clashes and inappropriate behavior. The series depicts the everyday lives of office employees in the Scranton, Pennsylvania branch of the fictional Dunder Mifflin Paper Company. To simulate the look of an actual documentary, it is filmed in a single-camera setup, without a studio audience. This episode is one of my favorite episodes from the entire series. It displays chaos and makes me laugh every time I watch it. Michael steps on his grill and burns his foot. He then calls his workers to pick him up, because "he is unable to get up", when in reality he is overreacting. This entire episode is displaying Michael's exaggeration and his worker's nonchalant attitude toward it. This scene displays a lack of emotion or care towards Michael's over exaggeration. Satire is used throughout this entire scene. The word satire is defined as humor or mockery. This entire series is defined as satire. However in this scene we see that the workers are mocking Michael and making fun of the way he is acting, except Dwight. The entire series of The Office is full of satire and sarcastic remarks and humor.

State Of The Union Guests Sort Of Assumed White House Would Pay For Them To Get Home

While grateful to have been honored at one of the most important political events of the year, guests of President Obama at the State of the Union address told reporters Wednesday that they had naturally assumed the White House would pay for them to get home. “It was really nice of the president to fly me out here and mention the letter I wrote about how my family struggled during the recession, but I guess I thought our plane tickets would be round-trip,” said Rebekah Erler of Minneapolis, adding that she would never forget appearing next to Michelle Obama on national television but had also taken it as given that her return trip would be purchased in advance by someone in the federal government. “Now, I have to shell out $550 of my own money for a last-minute flight that gets me home at one in the morning, and I have no idea if I’ll ever be reimbursed. Who do I even talk to about that?” Erler went on to say that if she knew this was going to happen, there’s no way she would have written that stupid letter in the first place.
This news blog shows a form of satire because the author is making fun of the situation these guests were put in. Satire is defined as humor or the criticism of stupidity. This blog was written to provide the reader with humor. The whole situation came out to be a funny mishap. The writer definitely does a great job writing this in a humorous way, which kept the reader entertained. 
        

"Borne Back Ceaselessly into the Past"

"Gatsby believed in the green light, the orgastic future that year by year recedes before us. It eluded us then, but that’s no matter—tomorrow we will run faster, stretch out our arms farther. . . . And then one fine morning—
So we beat on, boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the past."


This quote is one of my favorites from the books I have read. Nick, the narrator of The Great Gatsby, says the quote on the last page and last sentence of the book. These words conclude the novel and find Nick returning to the theme of the significance of the past to dreams of the future, here represented by the green light. He focuses on the struggle of human beings to achieve their goals by both transcending and re-creating the past. Yet humans prove themselves unable to move beyond the past: in the metaphoric language used here, the current draws them backward as they row forward toward the green light. This past functions as the source of their ideas about the future and they cannot escape it as they continue to struggle to transform their dreams into reality. While they never lose their optimism (“tomorrow we will run faster, stretch out our arms farther . . .”), they expend all of their energy in pursuit of a goal that moves ever farther away. This metaphor characterizes both Gatsby’s struggle and the American dream itself. Nick’s words register neither blind approval nor cynical disillusionment but rather the melancholy that he ultimately brings to his study of Gatsby’s life. Gatsby believed in this "green light" or this hope that him and Daisy will be together some day. However, he tries his best to fight to move on with his life an to continue towards the future, while fighting to forget the past. Because the present is constantly becoming the past, it is a constant fight to push forward. Stand still in a moment for even a second and you will find yourself in the past.

State Of the Union

In his annual State of the Union address Tuesday – his second to last of his presidency – President Barack Obama issued several liberal proposals that would be very difficult to pass in the new Republican-led Congress. These programs include a child-care tax credit, free community college, and paid family leave. The president set a divisive tone early in the address. “Will we accept an economy where only a few of us do spectacularly well?” he asked rhetorically. “Or will we commit ourselves to an economy that generates rising incomes and chances for everyone who makes the effort?” Obama reaffirmed his call for a $3,000 child-care tax credit, calling it a “must have.”"It’s time we stop treating childcare as a side issue, or a women’s issue, and treat it like the national economic priority that it is for all of us. And that’s why my plan will make quality child-care more available, and more affordable, for every middle-class and low-income family with young children in America — by creating more slots and a new tax cut of up to $3,000 per child, per year." The president also called for universal paid family leave, noting the U.S. is the only advanced country whose government does not provide it to their citizens. “And that forces too many parents to make the gut-wrenching choice between a paycheck and a sick kid at home,” he said. Along the same lines, Obama called for Congress to pass a law that ensures a woman is paid for the same work as a man along with a minimum wage. The president also reiterated his community college program, which he announced earlier this month. He aims to reduce the cost of community college for those who maintain decent grades “to zero.” The address focused on the improved American economic situation.

Beach Party

On a Saturday in some time in the summer, probably around July, I will be hosting a large party. This party will be taking place at Malibu beach. The beach will be closed down and only open for those who will be attending the party. I will invite a large amount of people, from friends to family members. You will be able to bring a plus one with you to this party. This party will have a  casual attire and will start at around 11 am. The reason I am starting the party so early is because it is taking place at the beach and the earlier the party starts, the more time there is to swim and enjoy the heat. Everyone will need to bring a bathing suit for tanning, swimming etc. There will be bonfires at the beach, so we will be able to cook burgers, hot dogs and such. During the day I am inviting several bands to come and perform for my guests. There will be a stage set up and there will be different artists coming to perform. These performers will also be staying and attending my party after their performance. This party will consist of swimming mostly and having a great time with friends and family, while listening to your favorite artists perform, for free. You will be having a free concert while enjoying the beach. After all the performers have sang, it will be already be night. After it gets dark and cold, we will light the bonfires and roast marshmallows. S'mores will be made and everyone will be given blankets and sweaters to stay warm. My party will not be something so extravagant, but it will be relaxing, soothing and at the same time will be a blast. Hope everyone can make it!

Be My Eyes

"Be My Eyes' App Helps Guide Blind With iPhone Video Calling"
Alejandro Alba
NY Times
http://www.nydailynews.com/news/world/eyes-helps-guide-blind-iphone-video-call-function-article-1.2083796

Copenhagen-based app Be My Eyes, which launched on Thursday, connects blind people and sighted people through their iPhones and iPads. If you're blind, you can sign up for the service and reach out to sighted users through a live video connection on the app. Once connected, blind users can ask sighted users questions over video chat. If you're sighted, you can sign up to help blind users.If you're a sighted user and you get a request, it will come through your phone as a push notification with a ringing sound. If you tap the notification, you'll be connected and a video will pop up, showing whatever the blind user is filming. You'll also be able to hear him or her speak and ask a question. Sighted users might be asked to help navigate a new place, read a sign or label, or help in some other way. iPhones and iPads have services built in to help blind users. You can use VoiceOver for iOS to get your iPhone or iPad to help you navigate your screen, type, read, use apps and more.If you're a sighted user and a notification appears but you don't answer it, the request will simply go to someone else. As of now, there are currently more than 17,800 sighted people and 1,500 blind people using the app, according to the Be My Eyes website. The entire service is free, and Be My Eyes is a nonprofit. It's only available on iOS devices for now, but you can request to be notified when the Android app is available. I think that with today's technology it is useful and helpful to use it in ways that can affect everyone. This is a different approach to using iPhones and iPads. Its a great idea and it can be of use to many blind and also sighted people.

1920's Attire

"Fashion Clothing and Accessories From the 1920s"
The People History
http://www.thepeoplehistory.com/20sclothes.html

The clothing attire in the 1920's is much different than the clothing that is worn today. Mena nd women dressed and looked much different. The two most iconic pieces of clothing worn by women were the cloche and the flapper dress. These two were usually worn together. The basic description of the cloche hat is that it is a very snug-fit hat that was often worn tilted, covering the forehead, yet allowing room for vision. The hair was often cut short and styled flat to fit under these types of hats. Cloche type hats often covered the ears as well, and even sometimes the ends of women’s short haircuts of the time. The flapper dress is much different than the regular dresses. The specific flapper type of dress was cut in a straight and loose style and throughout the decade the length of the flapper dress varied a little. In the early 1920s the length of dresses and skirts were about calf length, with some a little longer and some a bit shorter. From around the years 1926 to 1928, the hem lines of dresses were the shortest, and this is what most people remember when they talk of the flapper dress. During part of this decade the waist line of dresses dropped to the hip to promote more of a “boyish” look. The clothing did not only revolve around the cloche and the flapper dress. During this time a more casual look was introduced to the public. Women began to wear pants and wore different types of shoes. Some of the shoe styles included the ankle strap button shoe and the t-bar shoe. The men during this time began to dress casual also. They stopped wearing long jacked suits and started wearing shorter ones. Men also began to wear flannels. Some of the casual shoes that were worn by men were made with fringed tongues. The black patented leather shoes were still worn for more formal dress. However, the lace-up styled shoe was becoming more and more popular for men. The styles changed and differed greatly in the 1920's.

March in Paris

"National Unity March in Paris Draws World Leaders and Crowd of Over a Million"
Huffington Post 
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/01/11/charlie-hebdo-rally_n_6451286.html

On Sunday, about 1.6 million people gathered in the heart of Paris, along with about more than 40 world leaders. They all gathered together for a rally of national unity to honor the 17 victims. The french officials have claimed that this march was the largest demonstration in national history. The aftermath of the attacks remained raw, with video emerging of one of the gunmen killed during police raids pledging allegiance to the Islamic State group and detailing how the attacks were going to unfold. "Also, a new shooting was linked to that gunman, Amedy Coulibaly, who was killed Friday along with the brothers behind a massacre at satirical newspaper Charlie Hebdo in nearly simultaneous raids by security forces.'Today, Paris is the capital of the world,' said French President Francois Hollande. 'Our entire country will rise up toward something better' (Huffington Post,1). There were also rallies planned in London, Madrid and New York. These three days of terror broke out when brothers Said and Cherif Kouachi stormed the newsroom of Charlie Hebdo and killed 12 people. "Al-Qaida's branch in Yemen said it directed the attack by the masked gunmen to avenge the honor of the Prophet Muhammad, a frequent target of the weekly's satire" (Huffington Post,1).On Thursday, Coulibaly killed a policewoman on the outskirts of Paris and on Friday."The terrorists want two things: they want to scare us and they want to divide us. We must do the opposite. We must stand up and we must stay united," French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius told French TV channel iTele on Sunday.