Now think about Anthem. What could happen to make our society like that in Rand's novel? Is this realistic? Which future is more likely, that of V or

I think the aftermath of a biological event could lead to a society like in Anthem. An event where most were wiped off the face of the earth. Those few left could decide that the reason the biological agent was created in the first place was due to the ego of a few at the detriment of all. I don't see this happening as easily as I do a total take over by one government. Yes, this could definately happen. We as a people are so easily lead into believing what the media spews out. The saying "don't believe everything you read in the newspaper" should be thought of every now and then by those that listen to the media now. I don't believe many people question the media's take on things. Because of this, I believe a government could definately, if in control of the media, could take control of the world. It is a truly frightening thought, but in small cases the United States has done some of what V for Vendetta shows. We now have prisoners with no rights sitting in Guantomino, we have wire taps that are obtained with no need a proof of wrong doing, we have security cameras recording all the time. We also can be found insane by an objective court if our view point is deemed to radical, think scizonphrenics. Not that hard, for me to believe that one person could control a nation.

Do you think our government could become like that in V for Vendetta? Why or why not? If yes, how might it come about?

I do believe our government could become like that in V for Vendetta. It would only take a couple of more catastrophe's before the government would feel entitled to taking over. If you review all the rights we have lost since 9/11 and the additional constrictions we've seen since the economic collapse then it is not a far leap, for me, to see the government stripping us of all our rights if another catastrophe was to present itself.
When asked this question I thought of Hitler and the control he had over his country. This was a psychotic person who really came from out of nowhere to lead Germany to believing it had the right, no obligation, to seek world domination.
How different is the United States in their view that we are the greatest country of the world? Now if we were to take this belief, be presented with a charismatic leader, and face economic depression, would we become like Germany became? I pray not.
In V for Vendetta, a charismatic leader was able to control the entire country. Anyone that objected was sent away to be retrained, which sometimes lead to their deaths. The government of this leader had his own citizens poisoned. I believe a corrupt government could do this in today's world.
I truly hope that we never seen a another time where the government controls it's people like in V for Vendetta. Unfortunately, the past tends to repeat itself.
D

A new society

I would hope that modern society would not be rebuilt as it is today. I envision a society where there is more equality for all. That the social norms we have today are not what we use to develop a new society. A part I would like to play in the rebuilding is to help assure that everyone has a safe place to live. A place to live that is economical, ecologically developed and that is free from the random crimes we have now.

Individuality

I think individuality is very important. It is essential for a well functioning society. I do believe though that in certain aspects of society that a person while being an individual needs to be able to conform. In schools, a person would need to conform to the rules that are set. In the military, a person would need to conform. In both instances conformity is for the good safety and order. I also believe that individuality should never be an excuse for inflicting pain on someone else. If I was forced to choose between individuality or conformity I would choose individuality because individuals make the world a more interesting place.

Can we end prejudice?

I don't believe prejudice can be ended in my lifetime. I'm not sure it will ever end. Racial prejudice is an issue for each side. ALL sides discrimenate against the other. Be it African-American prejudice against Latino. Caucasians against African-American. So discrimination is not just between two groups. I believe everyone discriminates against some group at some time.

I do believe it is become socially unacceptable for Caucasians to discriminate against anyone, at least out loud. But I believe the issue of discrimination against Caucasians has become socially acceptable. So no, I don't believe we'll ever end discrimination. I believe like a virus it will just mutate into different forms.

Persecution of others

Why we persecute others. I wanted to make sure I understood exactly what persecute meant so I looked it up in Websters Online Dictionary. Part of the definition is to cause to suffer because of belief. Immediately upon reading that I thought of religion.
In my mind, the people that most persecute others because of their beliefs are the various religious groups. Christians dislike Muslims and vice versa. Hindus vs. Buddists. You even have problems with in the same groups. With Christians, you have the Baptists that don't like Catholics. With Muslims, the Sunni and Shite have issues. But when I have to get to the why of all this I can only think of fear.
Fear of the differences. Fear that one groups differences will infiltrate the other and cause changes. So maybe it is change that is feared most. Religious beliefs are very old and so ingrained in a persons life and thoughts. So maybe the leaders/followers of a particular religion are afraid if they open themselves up to believing some of another groups message that they will somehow have to change what they believe in and change, of any kind, brings fear.


"persecute." Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary. 2009.
Merriam-Webster Online. 28 June 2009

my favorite literary character

I love to read Tom Clancy’s books and in them is a character that really grabs me. The author introduced the character John Kelly in the book Without Remorse. Eventually Kelly adopts a new identity as John Clark. Clark is the ultimate get it done guy. That is what I like most about him. Whether it is taking care of the drug dealers that murder his girlfriend or kill the psychopath that sets off a nuclear device over the football stadium in Colorado (in the book, Sum of All Fears), he will handle it.

Another thing I like about this character is his loyalty. He’s loyal to his friends, family and country. If someone does something to harm those he cares about he finds that person and shows him the error of his ways.

I wish we had more people like John Clark, people that righted wrongs maybe then this world would be a better place.

my favorite reading memory

I was stationed in Germany at Wurzburg Army hospital. I worked the Pediatrics ward. On this night my favorite little guy was having a rough time. He was admitted with two broken arms and more than a few bruises. He was 14 months old and was totally alone because he wasn't allowed visitors. The visitors that he might have had were in jail as his injuries were of their making. Well little sombrero (he liked to wear our caps) was not very comfortable in his casts and was crying hard enough to just about break your heart. I had an idea and told the head nurse I'd be back. I ran down the hall to my dorm room in the barracks at the other end and after a lot of throwing stuff around found what I was looking for. I ran back to little sombrero's room and pulled out from behind my back my favorite book, Green Eggs and Ham. I guess because he was surprised, he stopped crying but was still doing that snuffling thing kids do after a hard cry. I pulled the rocker over to his bed and the head nurse took him out of his crib and we carefully settled him on my lap. Not an easy task considering his casts and the tubing for his lines. And I read Green Eggs and Ham. That was the best night. I rocked and read and rocked and read until he fell asleep right there in my lap, so peaceful, such a beautiful litte kid.
Now you might wonder what an 18 yr old soldier is doing with a children's book in her room. Well when I joined the Army I was told I could take one personal thing with me, so I took my favorite book.

Movies are literature.

I would characterize quite a few TV shows and almost all movies as literature. They tell a story. They contain the elements found in written literature. They have their plots, their characters, their settings and themes. Just as you can get lost in a really good book, you can escape into the story told as a movie.

Modern day movies are not unlike those earlier days of plays written by Shakespeare and Chaucer. I wonder what Shakespeare would think of today's movies.

DiaP

The elements effect

While I now recognize most of the different elements in literature now I would not say that it has helped me appreciate literature more.

I've been a big reader since elementary school. All those book reading contests are probably what started it. I've always had a book that I'm reading so I'd say I truly appreciate literature. I do have to be honest though. Trying to figure out what the genre is or my thesis statement is gives me a headache. I find it harder now to get through some of the readings because I know I'm going to have to look for this or that in the story and then "gasp" write about it. I'm optimistic that it will get better with time.

DiaP

Introduction

Hello. I am Dianne. I am 47 years old. Although I was born and raised in a small borough outside Philadelphia, PA, I have lived in 10 different states in the U.S. and 5 years in Germany. I have 2 girls, 19 and 24. I am a general education student because I just can not decide what I want to be when I grow up. I currently am employed with Georgia Power where I process property damage claims and complete financial reports. I look forward to typing with you.