Death of Baby P

Name: Arwen Chen (49712057)
Reaction Article #8
Date:11/28/2008
From: News Week

Death of Baby P

My Reactions

Baby P, age a year and a half, died on Aug. 3, 2007, after many months of shocking abuse by the three, ending up with a broken back and 50 other wounds and injuries; upon autopsy, a tooth that had been knocked out of his mouth by a blow was found in his colon. The little baby had 8 broken ribs a broken back his left ear lobe was ripped from the side of the head his was missing 6 finger nails and the tip of his left middle finger was cut off. The fatal injury was a blow to the head. What has made the reaction even worse is that this all took place despite 60 visits to his home by social workers, police and other authorities. One social worker on a home visit only a week before the child's death was fooled by the chocolate the mother had hurriedly smeared all over his wounds, to hide them during the visit.

I am horrified and feel deeply saddened by this tragedy that baby P suffered. This precious baby was repeatedly tortured by a group of monsters for 17 months of his short life then left to die in agony. How could these three monsters, his mother, his step father and the lodger, have done such cruel abuse! Such a thing is not allowed to happen at all! Little baby P should have been shown lots of love in his short life instead of all these inhumane, vicious, malicious, evil deeds!

Imaging a scene that a little baby being tortured crying but still opening his big eyes, asking for hugs and comfort, at the end, being tortured to death, alone, I feel totally saddened and distraught at the thought baby P going through such pain.

Little baby P reminds me of my little adorable cousin, Eric. If such a thing ever would happen around my life, say, Eric being abused by his parents, I would definitely call the police whoever his parents are! I would definitely protect my cousin and try my best to separate his parents from him.

Back to where we were. Justice ought to be served and I hope all 3 murderers are tortured in the most horrific manner imaginable in jail everyday. As for the mother, she does not deserve to have children. She is completely mentally ill. Also, the social workers, doctors and other responsible parties should be punished as well. I cannot believe what this poor baby went through while the people who were paid, and so called highly trained, argued over what to do with him. They totally failed in the job that they were well paid to do. The authorities where meant to protect him and they failed him terribly. Everyone on the Harringey Social Services team involved should be sacked. They must feel the pain that the pure innocent little angel suffered throughout his short life.

May little baby P rest in peace. (330)

Will My Marriage Last

Name: Arwen Chen (49712057)
Reaction Article #7
Date:11/21/2008
From: News Week

My Reactions
Mr. Jefferson, who is a homosexual, got married last Saturday with his man. However he has to bear the possibility that the validity of the marriage might fail as the Preposition 8 passes. Will his marriage last? Next Tuesday, Californians will head to the polls. How millions of strangers cast their votes will affect the most intimate parts of his life.

In my opinion, as long as two individuals love each other whatever their genders and races are, they can get married, and they definitely deserve the rights. To me, getting married, positively, has its own significant meaning. It is not only about signing a social contract but also a commitment I make with my partner- I’m settling down, I want to live the rest of my life with my man. And I believe that is also a few others’ perspective. Since I am guaranteed the freedom of getting married, homosexuals are entitled to as well. Therefore, love should be the most fundamental reason for marriage and that people should be free to choose their marriage partners on the basis of it.

Besides, I oppose to the opinion that children can be turned homosexuals if they encounter ones or learn anything about the “homosexual lifestyle.” Being homosexual is a matter of hormones. The reason why in the past there weren’t gays or lesbians known is because that it was not accepted by the multitude. Now that the social trend is getting more and more freethinking, it is about time to free them from this suppression.(255)

Scientist gives beauty some of its mystery back - for now

Name: Arwen Chen (49712057)
Reaction Article #6
Date:11/07/2008
From: World Science

My Reactions

According to “Scientist gives beauty some of its mystery back – for now,” much scientific opinion has gathered in support of the answer –beauty is just the average and the result suggests that averageness is one component of attractiveness.

In my opinion, it’s a really interesting and impressive report. At first I was rather surprised at the result, for I used to think that it was the uniqueness that made a beauty. However, after a while I came to realize and agree with the result which also supports my personal theory–in general, an individual with a great diversity of genes is likely to possess a better-looking or even good-looking face. Actually I have always thought that one with more sunken eyeholes and a straight and outstanding nose compose a good-looking face. For instance, the mixed-blood are always thought of as beautiful girls or handsome boys. By “the mixed-blood” I mean are not only referred to the interracial people such as the half Asian-half Caucasian and the half Latin-half Negro but also referred to the half Aborigine-half Hokkien as well as the half Hakka-half Hokkien. According to my observation, most of them are quite good-looking individuals. Therefore, I think the greater diversity of their genes account for such a phenomenon.(224)

China's Only Children Face Great Expectations

Name: Arwen Chen (49712057)
Reaction Article #5
Date:10/31/2008
From: NPR


My Reaction

According to “China's Only Children Face Great Expectations,” since 1980, China has had a one-child policy. If you have a second kid, you pay a stiff fine — unless you're a member of a national minority, or you and your spouse are both only children, or there's some other exception.

In my opinion, the “one-child policy” is not a too bad policy; it’s quite reasonable, instead. As the result of the increasingly rapid growth of the population in China, China stands the country with the highest numbers of population in the world. Some people might think it a good thing, for the traditional concept that “the more people there are, the more strength there is.” However, it’s not necessary a good thing due to the emergence of modernization and industrialization, resulting to machines that substitute for man power, thus factories no longer need as many laborers as in the past. In addition, problems brought about owning to the excessive growing of pupolation in china, have appeared and affected the whole society and environment. And they will not only become worse and worse if some measures are not taken to prevent them, but also level down the living standard greatly.

For the reasons mentioned above, I am of the one-child policy conducted in China.(223)

The Death of the Rock Star

Name: Arwen Chen(49712057)
Reaction Article #4
Date:10/24/2008
From: NPR

My Reactions
According to Carrie Brownstein in “The Death of the Rock Star,” she is of the opinion that rock stars are dying because of being less mysterious and godlike.

As far as I am concerned, I firmly believe that Rock& roll music never dies. Besides, I don’t think that the rock stars has died away. Even though times changes, so do the artists change with it, what draws fans to artists is finding something in them, their music or art that reflects ourselves or inspires to be more like them in some way, such as us learning some spirit from them. Their music speaks out exactly what we think, what we want-that’s why we get addicted to it. Moreover, It’s like we can attain great comfort from listening to their music, as if we are not alone, there’s someone understanding us.

The connectivity and information of the world we now live in makes it impossible for us to forget that rock stars are just normal people, just like us. Knowing that they are regular people like us means that if someone like them can create something so wonderful then maybe- just maybe- I have the potential to do something wonderful, too. That’s a quite encouraging effect to us, isn’t that? Furthermore, Knowing that they’re regular people doesn’t stop me from worshipping them. I still love their songs. They don’t have to be godlike at all. What’s better, it makes us feel that they’re closer to us, not so untouchable.

I totally agree with this saying,”the music is where the real power lies.” Plus, rock stars will live on, as long as the music never dies.(285)

Iceland needs IMF aid, says local minister

Name: Arwen Chen(49712057)
Reaction Article #3
Date:10/172008
From: China Post

My Reactions
According to AFP in “Iceland needs IMF aid, says local minister,” Iceland is at the risk of national bankrupt owing to its domestic bank crisis and global financial crisis.

“Iceland is going national bankrupt.”

“What? Are you kidding? How could this thing possibly happen? Iceland has been a quite rich country, hasn’t it?” Those questions all flashed into my mind at the same time at the sight of my reading the news on the headline of China Post.

What a huge shock! It is so unbelievable that I still can’t believe it even though three days have passed since the day I happened to see this piece of unexpected shocking news.

However, knowing that Iceland is under heavy debt, asking Russia for a load to stop the collapse of its economy, I feel greatly concerned with the Icelandic people, for more and more people’s lives are bound to get tougher and tougher, causing them to become more and more pessimistic and gloomy. As a consequence, suicide occurs, which is the last thing everyone expects to see.

I hope that an economic program which could be worked out with the Icelandic authorities will be come up with soon to tide over not only this country, Iceland, but also the financial crisis of the entire world. And I also earnestly hope that all the Icelandic people won’t lose their faith;instead they work together and fight with the panick situation, and survive the hard times.(255)

Surveillance of Skype Messages Found in China

Name: Arwen Chen(49712057)
Reaction Article #2
Date:10/10/2008
From: New York Times

My Reactions:
According to John Markoff in “Surveillance of Skype Messages Found in China,” China was discovered a huge Surveillance system monitoring and archiving certain conversations including politically charged words.

As far as I am concerned, I’ve heard of the China government keeping a watchful eye on her people’s opinions on public affairs, expression of their political views. Therefore, it is no surprise to know this piece of news actually. Judging from the news, we, again, obtain another proof that in the china country people do not have complete freedom in expressing their point of views; instead, they still have been kept under tight surveillance—which is not supposed to exist in a democratic country. As a result, I think it quite pathetic of China to do such a thing.

On the other hand, although The United State has also set some kind of monitoring system, since the outbreak of Sep. 11 attacks, to filter phone calls and Internet communications flowing into and out of the country, her purpose is totally different from China’s. The former purpose is to hunt for evidence of terrorist activity, while the latter one is to suppress ideas, thoughts, to block information transmitted out of China which might do harm to its prestige or violate doctrines of the government of China, so as to control the thinking of her people.

All in all, from the news I just read, I again realize what fake democracy is.(239)