Boycotting Beyond Petroleum

Should Americans Shun Beyond Petroleum (BP)?

After the latest disasters in the Gulf Americans are faced with a dilemma: Should we as Americans give business to a company that has infested the Gulf with oil? Americans should support BP in their business and efforts to clean up the coast. Beyond Petroleum is a large corporation that employs around 80,000 Americans. By helping BP thrive and stay in business with them will help keep 80,000 Americans from becoming unemployed. Beyond Petroleum are trying to make best effort possible with the oil spill. Being a billion dollar company boycotting one station would not make a difference but slowly if all Americans quit buying from BP that many more Americans would not have a job. Is one event by a company large enough to make people lose their jobs?

The Lighter Side of the News

News comes in a variety of ways and I watch “HLN News” almost every day. I chose to watch “The Colbert Report” for my blog this weekend. These two shows have a very different style of telling the news.

“The Colbert Report” is a newscast that is generated generally more towards young adults or someone that likes to hear the lighter side of the news. I enjoyed watching the Report for entertainment but it would not be my first choice when choosing a show to hear the news and details on stories.

Stephen Colbert who is on “The Colbert Report” has a very wide range of topics. I watched an episode that dealt with the poor in America and then it went to Google and what has done. He talked about the poor and joked around about how they would someday turn on the rich. I think that he has a fun and enthusiastic show but it does not have very many details in the reports. The show is successful in keeping people interested because of his remarks and high energy. The program may gain younger generations of interest therefore they will learn more about the country and world. Even if the show is not in great detail it is in enough detail to get the general idea.

The more straight forward type of news is the type I would rather watch when I want information. Yet “The Colbert Report” is something many can watch for enjoyment and to get a couple topics to think about.

Gay Service Members

In America we are very excepting as people besides to certain groups of people. A majority of Americans have no problems against homosexuals while many still do. The army as a whole implements a “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy. The policy was put into affect over sixteen years ago. The policy is very outdated with the changed that have come. The policy should not be in affect any longer. This policy tells homosexuals that are service members to not speak of or act on their sexual feelings when they are homosexual.

            If someone is risking their own life and future for our country I believe that their sexual orientation should have no effect on the matter. Going into the military being homosexual is tough enough with everyone talking and sometimes rejecting you just because of who they want to be with. I personally believe that it is wrong to make a decision and treat people differently because of their sexual orientation. They are sacrificing their lives.

The website is:

http://atwar.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/09/20/gay-service-members-discuss-don't-ask-dont-tell/?ref=world

Essay Topic

As of now I have two possible topics for my essay:

Sports and how being involved with them since I was in the fourth grade has made me better understanding of people. Quiting basketball my senior year because of the coach and what that made me realize as a person.

My other topic would be about my grandmother that was diagnosed with Lou Gehrig's disease and how it has made me more aware of the time we have with loved ones and to cherish it.

Memories

These events in my life tell a story about me but also gave me a better understanding of aspects of my life.


It was my freshman year and my best friend came over to stay with me. We would always think up excuses so we could go drive around town, so we decided we were going to go get a pop from up town. I drove our Ford Expedition which was not the best vehicle to be driving in the snow and sleet. The roads were iced down and it was the middle of winter. We tried to make a U-turn on Main Street and as we whipped around a pole got in our way. My friend was horrified so we tried to play it cool like we weren’t going fast or that it was our fault. I asked “What are we going to tell me parents?” she said just tell them we hit a cow. We drove home mortified of what was going to happen when we got back. Deciding we would face my parents together we headed in the house, needless to say my friend went in the house but decided to run straight for my room and hide. My parents were not happy but they were not too mad about the whole situation. It leads me to believe that honesty upfront is the best way to go even if you are scared to tell.

Basketball is a major sport where I grew up. Growing up in a small town we began playing basketball in the fourth grade. I played all throughout middle school and high school until my senior year in high school. Transferring schools in the seventh grade was an easy transition besides when it came to basketball. Playing all sports I thought my coach would be no different than any other coach I had before, turns out I was wrong. Coaches all have their own types of coaching and personalities, yet most coaches have a sense of what is right and wrong. My coach and I ended up not getting along because of various reasons. I ended up not going out for basketball my senior year, yet my principle and superintendent came and tried to convince me that I was making the wrong decision and that I would regret it. My parents loved watching all their kids in sports but they understood what I went through and told me do what you want and do not think of anyone else when it comes to making your decision. Even though the principle and superintendent tried to lure me into going out I stood up for what I know was right and stand by my decision. It makes me believe that you need to stand up for what you believe in no matter how many people do not believe in you or your decision.

Small towns come with traditions that do not change easily and they die hard. One of the traditions I was involved in was Homecoming Royalty, I was voted on to the Homecoming Queen. I was the well liked, quiet one in high school but I thought winning would be a longshot. The girls that were maybe the more outgoing and mean to the under classmates did not make it. Many people believe that homecoming queen is a superficial title and that you have to be high maintenance and “fake” to win it. What I learned is that being who you are is the most important thing you can do even growing up in a small town where people talk a lot.

Defining Me

What defines you?

Defining yourself is a hard task to do. It is hard to think of various events that make me who I am today. Yet in each chapter of my life there are several moments that make me, me.

One of the most challenging and beneficial times in my life was during middle school. My grandmother had been diagnosed with a disease that was not preventable or treatable. During this time I learned that no matter how big or small someone is in your life never take them for granted or what they do for granted. For some day they may not be there when you need them the most.  It is hard to believe that this time would be beneficial to me and my family yet it brought us closer together and helped us appreciate the time we had together, as family.

I define myself by what I am trying to make of my life. Coming to college was hard both financially and emotionally. It is hard to leave behind what you grew up with. Showing the drive to go to college and make yourself a smarter and better person shows that you want to improve yourself and the environment you live in. Being able to make something of your life and who you are is an aspect of my life that I believe defines me the most.

Defining myself is not an easy task and these are only a couple of the many events that have shaped me to who I am. It is important to know where you have been and where you want to be going in your life to be able to get their successfully.