The Heart Speaks by Oak R.W.

The Decline of Silver Speech

Rumors, mostly spells of silliness, have been spreading that in the near future, we'll be talking in emoticons, or something of relatively equivalent slang. While the decline of speech in itself may be a laughable falsehood, we're entering an age where our voices matter the least. As far as anyone should be concerned it's about the same thing.

Emoticons are about as limiting as it gets. Information has been given to us on silver platters whether we choose to believe each piece or not, and an increasing majority of our populace is solely relying on cherry-picked factoids and cultural nuances from some such feasts. "A man is but the product of his thoughts. What he thinks, he becomes," said Mahatma Gandhi. When others in your social web invade your thoughts through subtle preferences, political opinions, or fashion, it is in turn, natural to believe them if they're a big part of your life. This shouldn't be a major obstacle at all. Wouldn't it be obvious that their insights would prove beneficial? Yet the truth is, that only a few people go so far to develop charisma on their own, which is the foundation for why people are believable, and they become the arbiters of our generation. The laity are often left to latch onto these influential figures, and through projecting their own ideals upon them, as symbols, rather than people, they become more susceptible to the crisis we're facing now; that people are able less and less to develop skills to define their own thoughts.

One of our greatest impediments as a culture, is the culture itself. We, as Americans, like to stand up for desperate people, integrate millions of refugees, become more accepting, and widen our expansive knowledge of cultures other than ours. The problem lies in that we pick some of the exact wrong times to be culturists. Literature may often be taught in schools, but reading has evolved to be a "pleasure read," rather than something to teach us about ourselves, and expand our oh-so important philosophies. The president of The Modern Language Association once spoke on his deplore of the "disappearance of literature itself from the... curriculum," and criticized "fragmented, jargonized subjects" that have emerged in the stead of other critical texts. While we're focused on feminist arguments causing an uproar, and an increasing spread of controversial culture, we as a country are falling apart. We may be as socially close as ever, but with all of these opinions, you'd think we would have banded together an made an ultimate doctrine. No. When all these opinions are bunched up on the same island, it becomes a vain medley to become the superior. "Some people will say these are little things; they are not; they are of bad example. They tend to spread the baneful notion that there is no such thing as a high, correct standard in intellectual matters." - Matthew Arnold 1865. We as a nation need to band together to realize a unified acumen in our cultural affairs. Charisma is brought back by this. Without research into each subject spoken of, the charisma of such different groups can misguide thousands, or dilute their resolution and determination for their country.

In reflection, our the root of our problems is that of a basis of the public lacking what would be called a "silver tongue." This means more to me than its plain definition. "Emotions have the capacity to restrict your access to your memories," said John Nash, author of "The Psychology in a Beautiful Mind," so the ability to be impartial, to go beyond eloquence in just words, to speak freely, to seek the betterment of your human species, and to remember the benevolence that could define you as yourself, without awkward lapses in rational speech that we all experience. The best form of learning is that where your myths are shattered. The feeling of your eyes opening is immense, and speaks to you determination. Perhaps I've gone beyond just the tongue, but to the greater ideal of our passive personas.

Silver is the ultimate self-providence, but that's how demons see it as well. I wish you all luck in the new age. Don't let your voice be extinguished. Charisma is not won overnight, but I imagine a future where these kind of people will become commonplace, and it is one lead by concretion, and our minds that will forever be evolving. 

Current Events Quiz 3.2

1. A measure was overwhelmingly passed Thursday by the House of Representatives to ascertain the untenability of Syrian refugees in light of the Paris attack. The Senate is to take up the measure after Thanksgiving. Obama's response was to authorize the use of force against the Islamic State. The Obama administration feels that a two-year process hurts the refugees who are desperate. They claim that the refugees are no more dangerous than tourists, and that the screening process is unnecessary.

2. The Austin City council voted to ease regulations for building garage apartments. Proponents argue the move can lead to less expensive housing, and for home owners, could be supplemental income. Council members Kathie Tovo objected, saying it would undermine neighborhood plans that decided against them. Tommy Ates, attests that garage apartments are the only way he could live in the area, Council Member Sabino Renteria alike, said that such rents were the only reason they could stay a longtime resident. I stand with the opposition. I have a bad feeling that this ordinance will raise property taxes and make population density worse.

3. Leslie Pool is my neighborhood's board member.

4. Federal Regulations approved genetically engineered salmon fit for consumption, and that genetically modified animals may now reach the American dinner table. Environmental and consumer groups argued that these altered fish's safety hadn't been sufficiently tested, and that they might damage and change the wild salmon population if they escaped. The FDA said that the approval took so long because it was the first of its kind. Ronald Stotish said he was delighted and somewhat surprised at the decision after all this time. The graph holds the conclusion that genetically modified plants have been rapidly increasing in number with insect and herbicide resistance.

5. Don Zimmerman proposed that Austin's government stop spending money to help Syrian refugees and keep them from settling in Austin. Greg Caser and Mayor Steve Adler responded that Austin was open to such refugees, and that such a xenophobic proposal wouldn't get passed. 1225 refugees arrived in Travis County in 2013. Texas Agricultural Commissioner Sid Miller had posted on Facebook a post that compared refugees to rattlesnakes, which got him in the news. Texas Democrats accused this of fanning the flames of xenophobia.

6. Raphael Holiday was convicted of setting a fire that killed his daughter and her two half-sisters. He became the 13th convicted killer to be put to death this year in Texas, which is half of all the executions for such a crime in the United States. Gretchen Sween argued for an appeal, since court-appointed attorneys abandoned him after the justices in June refused to review his case. The Judge in Holiday's trial court stopped the execution, saying that the conviction and trial testimony were both improper, but the Texas attorney general's office appealed and the execution continued.

7.
    I. Police Officer Killed During Botched Robbery
       This one would be a fun topic, because of how the tables have turned on police brutality, and what the real threat to defend against may be.
    II. Unclaimed Silver Bars
        I LOVE silver. I want to talk about what a good investment silver is, and some of the lore behind it in mythology.
    III. Most Races Already Over
        I can talk about how political reform is needed all day. Although I think I can ruin how you view our current system in about 5 minutes.

Wheels of Justice Column

1.  Alfred Dwayne was convicted of murdering a police officer, and a store clerk.
2. During closing arguments, said "Excuse me. I didn’t rob nobody. I didn’t shoot nobody."
3. The jury's decision was rendered, and he was sentenced to death in October 2005.
4. The article was published Wednesday, May 14, 2014.
5. Brown's Alibi was claiming "...he had made a phone call on that fateful morning of April 3, 2003, from his girlfriend’s apartment to another land line where she was working as a home health aide. He said he called around 10 a.m. - the same time prosecutors told jurors Brown was at an apartment complex with the other perpetrators, washing up, changing clothes and watching news coverage of the murders"
6. Brown's alibi failed in the original trial because it was found his IQ level was just above mental retardation and he was illiterate.
7. The district attorney re-opened the case because new evidence was found that old records not provided to the case were held back by a prosecutor.
8. The girlfriend of the convict testified against her boyfriend at first, but came out later, saying she was pressured to lie; convincing evidence that the number records weren't an innocent oversight.
9. The appeals court, however, has stalled signing off on his appeal.
10. The author calls people to action to give Brown another trial, so he may not rot in prison for perhaps being innocent.
11. Our legal system is not very reliable. I wouldn't put it past them to kill him before the trial gets back around.
12. A to-the-point analogy, taking a side. It's really characteristic of an op-ed column in the way that she describes things like "those big do-gooder law firms."

Pulitzer Editorial

I. Kingsbury gives examples of harsh work conditions that she claims to be present all over the restaurant industry to hook people's sympathetic hearts in.
II. The explosion of the demand for restaurants and the income gap are widening.
III. She says raising wages won't create less jobs, since the claim wasn't based on experience.
IV. Her counter-argument is that jobs have gone up 9.1%, even with a raise in worker wage.
V. Because restaurant workers represent 10% of all the work force, they are likely to be paid less.
VI. She urges consumers to pressure the industry, and lawmakers to reject the demands of the NRA.
VII. The NRA was largely responsible for the "tipped minimum wage," which is $2.63.
VIII. Most restaurant owners are cited to claim that low income and high competition are the reason for low income of workers.
IX. However, Kingsbury says that raising wages across the board wouldn't affect competition.
X. Many Boston restaurant workers work multiple jobs to support their large families.
XI. The paragraph equates America to be just as bad as less-developed countries, and demeans our prided dream by showing how one immigrant's failed.
XII. Kingsbury states that wage theft, and failure to pay overtime are common ways restaurants break the law.
XIII. 165 investigations in 2013 found violations of laws of the Labor Department.
XIV. Things she said the mayor could do was to streamline the permitting process, and support a livable wage.
XV. The conclusion is an ultimatum. It's only effective if the policy is put into action. I take the more psychological route, rather than direct force.

Current Activity Quiz 3.1

1. The Supreme Court will announce on Monday whether Texas' abortion restrictions are to be reviewed for their constitutionality. Clinics say the restrictions burden women seeking abortions with undue health risks in waiting, and that they would need to get admitted to the hospital by a doctor before having one. The Texas attorney general disagreed, saying that the standards were meant to improve the health care.

2. Manslaughter charges against police detective Charles Kleinert have been repealed, and he has been deputized for a year, citing the Supremacy Clause, which "justifies" a law enforcer's actions as long as they act within the scope of their duties. Some concerns are that something will go awry, and they will achieve immunity.

3. Unlike the University of Washington, whose players are to learn basic Chinese and sightsee, UT has no plans for much but an official game. It's an experiment to integrate these international trips into the normal season. Some concerns about the trip are the students missing a whole week of classes, and the integrity of the nutrition. Although, a full-time tutor will be attending with them.

4. A historic vote in Myanmar marks the start of a democracy. 30 million people gathered to vote, and many lined up before the government buildings had opened in the morning. No outbreaks of violence were reported, and although it began to rain, people gathered under umbrellas in hopes of hearing Suu Kyi's address.

5. Pope Francis deemed that the theft of documents describing financial malfeasance. The publications discovered that the cost of sainthood is half a million, and that the number two of the Vatican had 200,000 euros donated by a children's hospital foundation, and 400,000 worldwide to support the poor was funneled to pay for Vatican administration. The Pope is interested in public view, and anything to such detriment would only help debunk their administration.

6. "Sanctuary Cities" are cities that are considered to shelter illegal immigrants. There are two polar opinions expressed in the articles, but each have their logic. The author of article one cites that the police departments don't have the resources to detain immigrants who committed minor offenses, and that "every restaurant in America would shut down." While the other talked about the dangers of letting these immigrants run rampant in our cities, and that deporting immigrants, as well as keeping secure border patrol, also halts preventable crimes. The first article's illustration depicted a politician ignoring liberty, and attempting to gain ground against the immigration issue, while the second shows a crude system blocking criminals from entering our cities and gaining free reign.
--My Opinion--
I think it's necessary to keep the immigrants here, if for only one reason. They are the "up-in-our-face motivator to not fall to their level." When masses see a poor group right next to them, most feel superiority. This has the potential to be twisted by use of the media to encourage citizens to do better for themselves. Restaurants aren't necessary, but if Americans took the jobs poor immigrants do, we'd be much worse off as a country.
    This editorial wasn't made by the paper, but individual writers. I think writers given free reign will go wild, but in any case, I entertain the idea.

Bring Home The Bacon!!!!

1. The World Health Organization reported from a convention that processed and red meats slightly increase the risk of cancer.

2. The environmental groups responded by advocating for warning labels on red meat, much to the chagrin of the meat industry.

3. The report placed processed meat into the "Group 1" category, meaning "sufficient evidence" has been found that it can in fact cause cancer. Although no guidelines for consumption have been shared, the chairman of disease prevention at Stanford said that that the risk was in much less magnitude compared to alcohol and smoking.

4. The cartoon illustrates the usage of this report. The only people to really abide by the warnings from this would be the pedants, who follow minor regulations too seriously.

5. Bish's opinion seems to say that whatever your choice, it may affect you, but it's better than being scared of everything.

6. I don't eat much processed meat, and it would vary every week, but I can surely say that this has no effect of mu choice for a meal when I want it.

The Re-birth of Manga Scanlation? - News Story

The Re-birth of Manga Scanlation?

Groups advocating localization

of manga begin to restart

wholehearted operations.

    An update!? Fans everywhere are flipping tables in excitement for new installments of Japanese comics that have been delayed for more than a year; some have been left for three years. Scanlation, the process of changing these comics into English, and providing them to an audience has been a dying effort, until now.

    Scanlation groups have slowly been declining the past years as less attention has been put on the manga industry. The vast majority of groups receive only donations, and a drop in funds to that produced less witty manga, felled a mighty blow to the hearts of those that work on them.

    Yet the fire is now rekindling. One group, Nekyou, an empire of 40 active members, is banding together to bring the entertainment to the masses of fans. “As the internet grows, the fan base of the otaku culture grows as well, there are tons of series being produced every month and there are not many scanlation groups to work on all of them. It's one of our prides that we bring those series to its fan and contribute to the growth of this culture.” Said Jean Rojas, the group’s overseer.

    Although, there have been controversies over the righteousness of such groups. One of Nekyou’s most active translators commented on this necessity: “We’re controversial. I know there’s no way to convince the producers what we do is beneficial, but I’ll give my say anyways. 90% of the manga we localize are masterpieces that no one would have ever heard about otherwise, and with 0% chance of getting officially translated. I can’t speak for all of us, but many groups have the dignity to stop their progress and take down their work if fans can also support the mangakas.” (Manga creators)

    “We’re patrons too, we buy the author’s manga, and we always encourage fans to support them.” He said. Aside from the legitimacy of the operations, the translator also commented that it’s a lot easier to take charge of these masterpieces in the absence of other groups, and that he hopes the new massive releases will inspire more to take up scanlation or learning Japanese, and keep the ball rolling.

    A Nekyou admin said that they’re creating sub-groups where there’s little to no variation on who works on the projects inside them. “When we know about each other’s schedules, quality, and personality, it’s a lot easier to work with them, and coerce them to help.” And Rojas said, “Across genres and across nations, we unite on one word.”

    “We have great people, and the quality of their work reflects it. We’ve gotten appreciation from all over. Canada, Australia, California, Texas, and Pennsylvania to name a few, with an abundance of teenage and adult audiences.”

    Quite a few are following in Nekyou’s footsteps, and their effort can be seen on Bato.to, the lead marketer and promoter of scanlation groups.

    “Every week or so, we take in members of collapsed groups, and only grow our ability range. I would be surprised if we didn’t revive the industry.” The admin finished.