Organ Sales Will Save Lives

Donating and selling organs is irascible subject to some people.  Whether is it morally right or wrong is an argument that is not easily won. The bottom line is that it is true, if organ sales from living donors was legallized and regulated many lives would be saved.  I would without a doubt donate an organ to a friend or family member in need of one.  However, I personally believe that it is morally wrong to sell an organ.  The intentions the sellers would probably have aren't the ones of a person donating out of the kindness of their heart.  They would be selling a kidney for their own selfish reasons.  How many people could actually afford a $150,000 organ? If someone could not afford to buy one, is it to bad for them?
I know our world is centered around money and not feelings toward others.  I think that people have freedom to choose what they do with their own bodies and the reasons why they do that are their own.

Some Like it Hot

Piracy is the illegal reproduction or use of something copyrighted.  Piracy of media is as old as Thomas Edison.  This article gives a brief history of piracy and copy right laws in the media.  I was initially interested in this piece.  Piracy, illegally downloading music and movies is an often heard topic in today's technologically advanced world. Most people downloading free music do not even realize what they are doing is illegal.   I agree with the author that the law should seek a balance between protection of the law and public interest.  I listen to music almost all day, but unfortunately as a college student I am not able to spend as much as I would like on it.  I think downloading music should be free.  If I really like an artist I will then go and pay to see them in concert or buy their memorabilia.

Analysis on Anti-Intellectualism: Why We Hate the Smart Kids

As an Arizona high school celebrates for winning the Arizona State Football Championship, little does the school know that the school has also won three acadamic championships.  This is an unfortunate reality for most high school's.  Athletics shine while academics are pushed to the side, buy why?  The author of this article gives two reasons to this appauling truth.  The first reason is the social classes and stereotypes in high school.  A person being labeled a "nerd" isn't something that some people strive to be known as.  When they are labeled as such, they are excluded from social activities, and become anti-social. The second reason the author gives is that an education isn't needed to become successful.  Celebrities like Kid Rock and Sammy Sosa were high school drop outs.  Regardless of the reasoning behind the anti-intellectualism, the "nerds" that are being bullied are people, with feelings.  These so called "nerds" are the ones who are helping build our society today, its sad that we would look down upon them.

My initial reaction to this article was, I felt bad for our society.  It is quite pathetic that that is what our society had come to. Not all of our society but some people's priorities are askewed.  We live in a competitive world.  Where we are literally competing with the world to become successful.  An education is a necessay element in becoming successful. I agree with the author ostracizing students for their accomplishments is devastating. I was victim of bullying in junior high school. I am now a strong advocate against bullying.  I believe whole heartedly in the saying "do unto others as you'd have them do unto you".   These intellectual individuals need to be praised, they need to feel proud of their achievements. 

Phase Three Project

         My phase three project will be an informative webzine on the importance of local farms.  Looking at the example audio slideshows I am going to use ethos, logos, and pathos.  I am going to use credible sites such as the EPA and an actual farmer for ethos.  I am going to explain the importance of supporting your local family farmer for an emotional appeal.  I am going to use the facts and statistics of how supporting your local family farmer will benefit economics and health.   I am going  to use pathos and logos the most when writing the script for my slideshow. 

Questions for Conference

         At our mid term conference I am going to ask how I am doing in the class in general. This is my first college English class, so  I am bit apprehensive I am not doing as well as others.  I am going to ask about my writing as whole.  Do I use my syntax wisely? Do I use appropriate diction?  Do you think I am efficiently transferring my writing into the different types of modules? 

Negative Effects of CAFOs on Rural Communites

           CAFOs were designed to benefit the economy positively.  These operations produce more livestock at a faster rate using less land and feed.  There is a flaw to every perfect plan, however. CAFOs do not only effect the environment and public health, they effect surrounding communities economic health.  Building one of these operations in a rural community causes the local farmers to struggle to compete and eventually these hard working men and women are put out of business.  The surrounding communities are having to pay more money on health care and environmental control rather then on desires.  Which in turn effects local stores in a negative way because their business is also suffering.  In these types of operations "CAFOs may generate profits for a few local investors but they do not promote rural economic development. CAFO operators do business wherever they can get the best deal, which typically is not in the local community." (Ikerd 2009)
            Larger businesses may want to do their business where the best deal is but people are becoming aware of how the food products they are consuming are being processed.  Those cheaper deals are also lacking in nutritional value.   More people are turning to free range and organic food for the safety of the products.  Also promoting local farmers and business to promote a good sense of local economic health.  The public in the types of communities surrounding CAFOs are spending money not at these large businesses because their issues of health and environment, not to mention the lack of income is hindering them from doing so but on more pressing issues.  Large scale grocery stores should turn to these types of alternatives for the safety of their costumers, the quality of the products, and for the fact that the customers might be able to purchase these goods and not have to worry about other concerns.


Ikerd, John. Impacts of CAFOs on Rural Communities, 2008, received fromhttp://web.missouri.edu/~ikerdj/papers/Indiana%20--%20CAFOs%20%20Communities.htm

Ikerd, John. The Economics of CAFOs and Sustainable Alternatives. 2009. received from http://web.missouri.edu/~ikerdj/papers/Fairfield%20IA%20-%20Economics%20of%20CAFOs.htm

CAFO Podcast

         A confined animal feeding operation might have some benefits to our society but these operations cause damage to our all around health.  CAFOs are noxious to our environmental health and our physical health.  The mass accumulation of animal waste creates problems for our environment such as polluted ground water and toxic air.  The publics' health is also effected negatively by these operations.  The toxic air can cause respiratory problems in people living close to these facilities. The improper care of the livestock causes the animals to contract deadly bacteria such as E. Coli which can be transmitted to humans.  People living around the location of one of these operations should be aware of the problems caused. Anyone who shops at any grocery store and buys meat products needs to also be aware of problems.  Basically everyone should be aware of the harmful effects of these facilities. 
          A solution to the problems that surround CAFOs to widen the area of the feeding operations so the build up of the livestock waste is not so confined creating a noxious environment.  The widening of the area keeps the livestock from wallowing in their own waste, keeping sanitation hazards at bay.  A healthy alternative would be a free range farm or an oranic farm.  The animals at these facilities have larger areas to roam.  They eat the natural vegation.  The land to animal ratio is much higher compared to the CAFO creating a well balanced eco system.
           There are many problems surrounding a CAFO but the problems do not have to be perpetual.  We can help mend these mistakes by stating our oppositions towards these facilities.  To purchase goods from a local farmer or a free range farm instead of at a local grocery store is another solution.