Blog Reflection:

     Blogging this year helped me understand and clarify my thoughts on many subjects that we've learned this year. It was a helpful and simple concept that warmed up my brain for the deep philosophical conversations and analysis of books that we would later be doing in ELA. Although at many times it became challenging to keep up with the pace or amount of content that these blogs created, in the end it was worth doing. 

     Writing online instead of in a notebook besides the lack of physically keeping track of things, being able to design a blog, layout, and overall creative space helped me be more excited and interested in learning. I think that freed me from the normal reminders of a physical page or my hand getting tired and let me type to my hearts content. But, because of those things I also ended up rambling, not getting anywhere specific with my writing, and sometimes not writing as much material because I don't have that physical reminder of a page. This added some weak posts to my blog as well. The thing I really enjoyed though and what made it a positive experience was the control over the design of the way my writing looked or how it appeared and matched with the background of my blog. I want to do design as a career and being able to control the fact that my writing is horrible and sloppy or I could only find a crappy pencil to write with and replace it with clean cut fonts and pretty colors made it pleasing to do. This really inspired me and didn't limit me in terms of my blog. 

     But I do think that many people will disagree with this. I know many people because there were no reminders or physical pieces of writing had a hard time keeping up and feeling inspired with their blog. This also goes to show how although there are a majority of people including myself who use social media as a form of artwork or creativity there are also many who become overwhelmed and abuse there power on social media. This also shows how many teenagers feel they can speak their mind on whatever topic even if not appropriate over a non physical space that exists not "truly" in the real world. 

     Overall I think the blogs were a good way to remind teenagers that social media should be used appropriately and to show ideas that are well thought through and mature, as well as (blog comments ) being able to take and give constructive criticism respectfully 

Gun control Laws: Upfront

     "Does the U.S. Need Tougher gun Control Laws?" is an article stating the pros and cons of imposing gun control laws in the U.S. and how that will affect Americans in their everyday lives. These gun control laws include background checks and overviews of the buyers mental, physical, and emotional state to see if they should be allowed to use a gun. It also discusses whether or not guns are used more for self defense or to purposefully harm others. 
     
     Ladd Everitt says that gun control would help make the risk of a crime where a gun is involved, less lethal. These background checks and other restrictions would put whatever gun that's being bought in the right hands. 
    
      Erich Pratt rebuddle's this saying that guns are used 16 to 100 times more for self defense then for mass dangerous crimes or shootings. Everyday Americans use guns for self defense and self defense alone. 
     
      Everitt says that their are the equivalent of 87 deaths, per day due to gun violence in the U.S and an average of 32,000 deaths per year
Also, we are the only wealthy democratic nation in the world who hasn't imposed further restrictions on guns. 300 million guns are owned by Americans- more guns per capita than any other country in the world 
This means that a large portion of the 300 million guns owned are helping people protect themselves from harm and dangerous people who may own guns inappropriately. Although someone who is not the best candidate to own a gun can possess one, if the average American owns a gun they can protect themselves from that predator. 
    
      How could the children at sandy hook or columbine protect themselves? Guns should never be in a school environment with children so neither the teachers or kids could be saved. There are too many exceptions to the self defense approach at gun control and school shooting are rapidly becoming more frequent and publicised. 
     
      Overall, guns have many advantages and disadvantages. The huge debate over whether to impose these restrictions or not is growing more popular and important at a rapid rate and soon the government will have to make major advancements on their positions on this topic. This article convinced me that gun control laws were a necessary implement to societies safety. If someone who does not deserve to have a gun and possess it safely, can't ever buy that gun, it eliminates the possibility of a lethal situation involving a gun. This will help save millions of lives in America today.