In the given excerpt from the Leviathan, Thomas Hobbes gives his account of how the only effective social structure can be built. Through the process of burrowing deep into the human mind and soul, he explains his views of how liberty, fear, and necessity are all consistent in the formation of a commonwealth. Despite Hobbes’ strong claims that one’s fear of the law and absolute submission to a sovereignty are the only effective forms of government, a civil society made “of the people, by the people and for the people” (Abraham Lincoln) is much more effective.

Thomas Hobbes believes that a person acting in fear of the law is acting freely and all of their actions derive from necessity. Therefore, he conjures up the claim that a society based on fear of the government is based on necessity and is therefore effective. Although his calculations are quite clever, they are equally false. According to Thomas Jefferson, “When the people fear the government, there is tyranny; when the government fears the people, there is liberty.” Since one of the greatest leaders of our country also stands in dissonance with the outrageous beliefs of Thomas Hobbes, it is very probable that his ideas of a truly effective civil society are entirely false. In addition, the manners by which Hobbes reaches his conclusions, those of far fetched tangents and rabbit holes, are unnecessarily confusing and obscure. To state that man acts from necessity and fear, and to therefore conclude that fear is necessity; this is completely preposterous. Thus, the whole issue is childish.

It is from experience that I state that men provide their best fruits to the Commonwealth not when they are in fear of the government, but when they are part of the government. I can remember a time when a teacher would receive no respect from students and nothing but constant rebellion. This is because she payed no attention to individuals and was unjust to the entire majority. On the other hand, another teacher of mine entered into a one-on-one relationship with the students. This provided active participation in their own education and a level of accountability for behavior and academic involvement. Clearly, the latter situation prevails and, in terms of civil society, is the most effective form of government.

Thus it is derived that men who live in fear of the government have no respect for it, but when the government’s authority is all inclusive of its subjects, then men begin to take part in the Commonwealth and enjoy the fruits of their own labor. When a great incentive is offered for the sacrifice of minute liberties, there is discipline, and with it, its consequential freedom. Through this type of freedom we find a truly beneficial liberty. A liberty that men like Thomas Hobbes cannot understand. A liberty that will survive through many ages because of its discipline and sacrifice, not fear and submission.

1) How do you think you did?

HONESTLY, I think I deserve MUCH better than an NP. I put hours into the writing and researching of the essay. Even more than that, I had excellent ideas that I KNOW I communicated in an understandable manner. My ideas of how the rebellion was started, sustained, and ended were all delivered specifically with an emphasis on the injustices of colonial social classes; my theme of choice and my thesis.

2)What have you learned about your writing process?

Apparently, it's not good enough. If I understood why I deserve such a horrible grade, I could more properly evaluate how to fix my writing process; but since I don't understand how any of the feedback I received is true at all, I can't fix my writing process.

Possibly, my ideas are not strong enough and I need to spend more time formulating stronger ideas that have more to do with my thesis.
Possibly, my manners of expressing my ideas in writing are completely askew and I should never dare to type or hold a pen again.
Possibly, Craig is a complete nut job and doesn't have any idea in the world what he's talking about. But that would mean that whoever gave him his degree is a nut job and consequently the institution they represent must be filled with nut jobs and therefore the majority of the world must be completely out of their loon and I'm the only sane one.

Yeah, that sounds about right. Jerks.

3) What have you learned about your writing philosophy?

Basically, it sucks. My idea of writing and what's good and what's not is horribly queer and totally indifferent to that which the global standards have been set to mirror. My best is failing. I gave my all on the essay and I received a failing grade.
If I were to employ my wonderful knowledge of writing to explain my essay, I would describe my failing grade as simply foreshadowing for the rest of my life.

My best will be perceived as a NO PASS by the world.

Who likes the world anyways?

4) What have you learned about college writing versus high school writing?

I learned that I like high school more than PSEC.

I learned that college is full of instructors who are arrogant enough in their perceptions of academic standards to believe that they are the supreme when it comes to their subject.

But I suppose it would take an equal person to be able to identify one of these types of instructors.

In all seriousness though, learning to succeed at college writing will require me to develop a distaste for all of my current academic perceptions and achievements. I will have to rise to a new height; overlooking the fact that I'm horribly afraid of heights.

Vince Coppola

10/12/07

Bacon's Rebellion and Social Injustices

The scene depicted above is nearly a perfect representation of what was happening in Virginia in the 17^th century: the higher class citizens were taking all of the freedom, money and benefits and using them to help themselves while neglecting the lower class citizens. In 1676, Nathaniel Bacon led a rebellion against the governor of Virginia and all those who stood by him to thrust the injustices of colonial social classes into the open for all free men to repeal.

Despite the fact that many people believe that politics and the economy were the major contributing factors to Bacon's Rebellion, it was actually conflicts among the social classes in the Chesapeake region during the 17^th century that played the major role. Initially, the lower (or poorer) classes were deprived of many of the rights that were only distributed to the upper class citizens, including the right to be protected by the government. This is attributed to the elite themselves for hogging control of the government and only electing their own people into office. They did this so they could maintain their high level of power and control over the society and only protect and benefit themselves. There were also many accounts of favoritism issued by the Governor Berkeley himself to his most favorite group of tidewater gentry.

Undoubtedly, the frontiersmen suffered from many ill side effects as a result of being left out of the governors little circle of favorites. These awful effects included small estates, unfertile soil, and constant Indian raids due to their position on the frontier. It was their hate for the Indians that fueled much of the rebellion's motivation. In Bacon's declaration of his rebellion in 1676 he wrote, "For having protected, favored, and emboldened the Indians against his Majesty's loyal subjects, never contriving, requiring, or appointing any due or proper means of satisfaction for their many invasions, robberies, and murders committed upon us" (historymatters.gmu.edu). The Governor's negligence to protect the lower classes of society was not easily overlooked. And because there was this defined lack of protection, the colonists on the frontier were in an ongoing battle with the Indians.

Meanwhile, Nathanial Bacon was a young man living on a large estate in Virginia. Contrary to popular belief, Bacon was actually a man full of hunger for power. It was this hunger mixed with his raging hate for the Indians that made him the perfect candidate to lead the colonists against the Natives and against the Governor.

Susan McCulley, a noted author concerning Bacon's Rebellion, commented on the degree to which the colonists hated the Indians, "The situation became critical when, in a retaliatory strike by the colonists, they attacked the wrong Indians, the Susquehanaugs, which caused large scale Indian raids to begin" (nps.gov). They led many raids against the Indian tribes along the frontier in spite of both the Indians themselves and Governor Berkeley. In 1676, Nathaniel Bacon led his band of followers straight to the capital and pressed the governor to clear the frontier of all Indian tribes. Some may view this event as rebellious, but it was actually quite patriotic. Despite this, the governor still refused to obey Bacon's orders even when he was threatened with death. Immediately following, Bacon formed his infamous "Declaration of the People" on July 30, 1676.

Bacon's famous declaration made points against both the local Indians and against Governor Berkeley (historymatters.gmu.edu):

For having, when the army of English was just upon the track of those Indians, who now in all places burn, spoil, murder and when we might with ease have destroyed them who then were in open hostility, for then having expressly countermanded and sent back our army by passing his word for the peaceable demeanor of the said Indians, who immediately prosecuted their evil intentions, committing horrid murders and robberies in all places, being protected by the said engagement and word past of him the said Sir William Berkeley, having ruined and laid desolate a great part of his Majesty's country, and have now drawn themselves into such obscure and remote places and are by their success so emboldened and confirmed by their confederacy so strengthened that the cries of blood are in all places, and the terror and consternation of the people so great, are now become not only difficult but a very formidable enemy who might at first with ease have been destroyed.

Subsequently, large scale raids were commenced by Bacon against all types of Indians, whether peaceful or not. Most authors will try to frame the events of the raids as against the Indians, but the truth is that Bacon's militia also attacked the farms of the upper class citizens, "Bacon and his band pillaged and ransacked tidewater plantations" (caho-test.cc.columbia.edu).

In the long run, the rebellion was powerful while it lasted, but it ended with Bacon's death of dysentery in October of 1676. Because the leader was now gone, his followers soon disbanded. Any followers who were left remaining found themselves under heavy persecution by the governor. The execution of the rebels lasted for some months until one thousand English soldiers arrived from England to suppress all of the calamity caused by the rebellion and its aftermath.

Despite the short life of the rebellion, it did of course have some sort of impact on the Virginian society. In the months following the rebellion, the planter elite still maintained social superiority although they now recognized the threat that the poorer citizens, indentured servants, and slaves posed against them. Because of this, an army was soon formed to expand the frontier and free it from all Indians. The results of all of this new land brought satisfaction to the poorer settlers because they no longer suffered from Indian attacks and now had more land to harvest.

If I were to take the self-interests of the government during Bacon's rebellion and compare them to a point in my life, I would go back to a time during my earlier teenage years when everything was unfair. Because the disproportional distribution of land and money to the lower class citizens relates so well to teenage years, I can remember countless times when I felt like parents, teachers and other authorities were only worrying about themselves and how much they could benefit from things that actually negatively affected me.

One time, a middle school teacher of mine only called on girls in the classroom. Despite the fact that there were many intellectual males in the room, time and time again the teacher only called on females exclusively. Although my experience doesn't pertain to injustices of social classes, it is still a socio-ethical problem that is proven unjust by the fact that all people are equal.

Consequently, I chose to confront my opposition in the same manner that Bacon did. I told my teacher that there were many male hands being raised and unless they were called on in equal proportion to the girls, I would take the problem to the principle. The incident was immediately solved because the teacher was unaware of his favoritism and apologized kindly and started calling on both genders.

Although my situation called for less action than Bacon's Rebellion did, it still demonstrated the necessity for a bold confrontation in times of injustice and moral infrequencies. Looking past the fact that Bacon's Rebellion only lasted a very short time, it still brought a great notice to the rifts in colonial America's social classes. It exposed a flaw that helped to make our country form its wonderful foundation of equality that we enjoy today.

When Ian and I were driving along on Pac Highway, a man cut into our lane and we had to slam on the brakes. It was so sudden and scary that I yelled profanities really loud as a reaction. After I was done being mad, I felt horrible about being so angry with the guy. I reflected about the situation and tried to understand the other person’s interests. The man needed to make a right turn and he therefore had to get over somehow and it was probably my fault in part for not letting him in initially. I realized how my first reaction was an example of a poor democratic environment but my resolve was a much better example.

When I was talking with my parents about school, they were trying to give me advice but I was busily texting my girlfriend on the phone. They were yelling at me to pay more attention and listen better but I was having a hard time finding the importance in what they were saying. I was thinking about what to write about for my next AOD post and I realized that I needed to work more on my active listening skills. I apologized to my parents and started listening more actively and processing their words more carefully so I could produce more meaningful and thoughtful responses.

Vince Coppola

10/12/07

Bacon’s Rebellion Draft (Body Only)

 

            As many people know, most societies are corrupt with the unjust favoritism issued by its government towards select groups of people. Bacon’s Rebellion was set in such a time and place where, because of this favoritism, death and destruction were occurring to the lower class citizens. In 1676, Nathaniel Bacon led a rebellion against the governor of Virginia that thrust the injustice of colonial social classes into the open for all free men to repeal.

Despite the fact that many people believe that politics and the economy were the major contributing factors to Bacon’s Rebellion, it was actually conflicts among the social classes in the Chesapeake region during the 17^th century that played the major role. Initially, the lower (or poorer) classes were deprived of many of the rights that were only distributed to the upper class citizens, including the right to be protected by the government. This is attributed to the elite themselves for hogging control of the government and only electing their own people into office. They did this so they could maintain their high level of power and control over the society and only protect and benefit themselves. There were also many accounts of favoritism issued by the Governor Berkeley himself to his most favorite group of tidewater gentry.

Undoubtedly, the frontiersmen suffered from many ill side effects as a result of being left out of the governors little circle of favorites. These awful effects included small estates, unfertile soil, and constant Indian raids due to their position on the frontier. It was their hate for the Indians that fueled much of the rebellion’s motivation.  In Bacon’s declaration of his rebellion in 1676 he wrote, “For having protected, favored, and emboldened the Indians against his Majesty’s loyal subjects, never contriving, requiring, or appointing any due or proper means of satisfaction for their many invasions, robberies, and murders committed upon us” (historymatters.gmu.edu). The Governor’s negligence to protect the lower classes of society was not easily overlooked. And because there was this defined lack of protection, the colonists on the frontier were in an ongoing battle with the Indians.

Meanwhile, Nathanial Bacon was a young man living on a large estate in Virginia. Contrary to popular belief, Bacon was actually a man full of hunger for power. It was this hunger mixed with his raging hate for the Indians that made him the perfect candidate to lead the colonists against the Natives and against the Governor.

Susan McCulley, a noted author concerning Bacon’s Rebellion, commented on the degree to which the colonists hated the Indians, “The situation became critical when, in a retaliatory strike by the colonists, they attacked the wrong Indians, the Susquehanaugs, which caused large scale Indian raids to begin” (nps.gov). They led many raids against the Indian tribes along the frontier in spite of both the Indians themselves and Governor Berkeley. In 1676, Nathaniel Bacon led his band of followers straight to the capital and pressed the governor to clear the frontier of all Indian tribes. Some may view this event as rebellious, but it was actually quite patriotic. Despite this, the governor still refused to obey Bacon’s orders even when he was threatened with death. Immediately following, Bacon formed his infamous “Declaration of the People” on July 30, 1676.

Bacon’s famous declaration made points against both the local Indians and against Governor Berkeley (historymatters.gmu.edu):

For having, when the army of English was just upon the track of those Indians, who now in all places burn, spoil, murder and when we might with ease have destroyed them who then were in open hostility, for then having expressly countermanded and sent back our army by passing his word for the peaceable demeanor of the said Indians, who immediately prosecuted their evil intentions, committing horrid murders and robberies in all places, being protected by the said engagement and word past of him the said Sir William Berkeley, having ruined and laid desolate a great part of his Majesty’s country, and have now drawn themselves into such obscure and remote places and are by their success so emboldened and confirmed by their confederacy so strengthened that the cries of blood are in all places, and the terror and consternation of the people so great, are now become not only difficult but a very formidable enemy who might at first with ease have been destroyed.                                                              

 

Subsequently, large scale raids were commenced by Bacon against all types of Indians, whether peaceful or not. Most authors will try to frame the events of the raids as against the Indians, but the truth is that Bacon’s militia also attacked the farms of the upper class citizens, “Bacon and his band pillaged and ransacked tidewater plantations” (caho-test.cc.columbia.edu).

In the long run, the rebellion was powerful while it lasted, but it ended with Bacon’s death of dysentery in October of 1676. Because the leader was now gone, his followers soon disbanded. Any followers who were left remaining found themselves under heavy persecution by the governor. The execution of the rebels lasted for some months until one thousand English soldiers arrived from England to suppress all of the calamity caused by the rebellion and its aftermath.

Despite the short life of the rebellion, it did of course have some sort of impact on the Virginian society. In the months following the rebellion, the planter elite still maintained social superiority although they now recognized the threat that the poorer citizens, indentured servants, and slaves posed against them. Because of this, an army was soon formed to expand the frontier and free it from all Indians. The results of all of this new land brought satisfaction to the poorer settlers because they no longer suffered from Indian attacks and now had more land to harvest.

If I were to take the self-interests of the government during Bacon’s rebellion and compare them to a point in my life, I would go back to a time during my earlier teenage years when everything was unfair. Because the disproportional distribution of land and money to the lower class citizens relates so well to teenage years, I can remember countless times when I felt like parents, teachers and other authorities were only worrying about themselves and how much they could benefit from things that actually negatively affected me.

One time, a middle school teacher of mine only called on girls in the classroom. Despite the fact that there were many intellectual males in the room, time and time again the teacher only called on females exclusively. Although my experience doesn’t pertain to injustices of social classes, it is still a socio-ethical problem that is proven unjust by the fact that all people are equal.

Consequently, I chose to confront my opposition in the same manner that Bacon did. I told my teacher that there were many male hands being raised and unless they were called on in equal proportion to the girls, I would take the problem to the principle. The incident was immediately solved because the teacher was unaware of his favoritism and apologized kindly and started calling on both genders.

Although my situation called for less action than Bacon’s Rebellion did, it still demonstrated the necessity for a bold confrontation in times of injustice and moral infrequencies. Looking past the fact that Bacon’s Rebellion only lasted a very short time, it still brought a great notice to the rifts in colonial America’s social classes. It exposed a flaw that helped to make our country form its wonderful foundation of equality that we enjoy today.

Vince Coppola

10/12/07

Bacon’s Rebellion Draft (Body Only)

 

Despite the fact that many people believe that politics and the economy were the major contributing factors to Bacon’s Rebellion, it was actually conflicts among the social classes in the Chesapeake region during the 17^th century that played the major role. Initially, the lower (or poorer) classes were deprived of many of the rights that were only distributed to the upper class citizens, including the right to be protected by the government. This is attributed to the elite themselves for hogging control of the government and only electing their own people into office. They did this so they could maintain their high level of power and control over the society and only protect and benefit themselves. There were also many accounts of favoritism issued by the Governor Berkeley himself to his most favorite group of tidewater gentry according to an annotation which summarizes a portion of Bacon’s famous Declaration, “Bacon’s Declaration challenged the economic and political privileges of the governor’s circle of favorites” (historymatters.gmu.edu).

Undoubtedly, the frontiersmen suffered from many side effects as a result of being left out of the governors little circle of favorites. These awful effects included small estates, unfertile soil, and constant Indian raids due to their position on the frontier. It was their hate for the Indians that fueled much of the rebellion’s motivation.  In Bacon’s declaration of his rebellion in 1676 he wrote, “For having protected, favored, and emboldened the Indians against his Majesty’s loyal subjects, never contriving, requiring, or appointing any due or proper means of satisfaction for their many invasions, robberies, and murders committed upon us” (historymatters.gmu.edu). This serves as evidence of the Governor’s negligence to protect the lower classes of society; nor show any interest in any class but his own. This constant struggle with the Indians was the first initiation of Bacon’s bond with the frontiersmen.

Bacon already lived on a large estate and had excellent relations with people in office; the Governor Berkeley being his cousin. He was fueled by his hunger for power and his now common hate for the Indians.

Susan McCulley commented on the degree to which the colonists attacked the Indians when she wrote, “The situation became critical when, in a retaliatory strike by the colonists, they attacked the wrong Indians, the Susquehanaugs, which caused large scale Indian raids to begin” (nps.gov). They led many raids against the Indian tribes along the frontier in spite of both the Indians themselves and the Governor Berkeley. In 1676, Nathaniel Bacon led his band of followers straight to the capital and pressed the governor to clear the frontier of all Indian tribes. When the governor refused to obey Bacon’s orders, even when threatened with death, Bacon formed his “Declaration of the People” on July 30, 1676.

Bacon’s famous declaration made points against both the local Indians and against Governor Berkeley (historymatters.gmu.edu):

For having, when the army of English was just upon the track of those Indians, who now in all places burn, spoil, murder and when we might with ease have destroyed them who then were in open hostility, for then having expressly countermanded and sent back our army by passing his word for the peaceable demeanor of the said Indians, who immediately prosecuted their evil intentions, committing horrid murders and robberies in all places, being protected by the said engagement and word past of him the said Sir William Berkeley, having ruined and laid desolate a great part of his Majesty’s country, and have now drawn themselves into such obscure and remote places and are by their success so emboldened and confirmed by their confederacy so strengthened that the cries of blood are in all places, and the terror and consternation of the people so great, are now become not only difficult but a very formidable enemy who might at first with ease have been destroyed.                                                              

 

They formed a militia and began leading even more raids along the frontier against local Indian tribes; whether peaceful or not. But their raids did not stop with just the Indians, according to this article they also acted against their social superiors, “Bacon and his band pillaged and ransacked tidewater plantations” (caho-test.cc.columbia.edu).

This rebellion continued in full fury until Bacon’s death of dysentery in October of 1676. Because the leader was now gone, his followers soon disbanded. Any followers who were left remaining found themselves under heavy persecution by the governor. The execution of the rebels lasted for some months until one thousand English soldiers arrived from England to suppress all of the calamity caused by the rebellion and its aftermath.

Despite the short life of the rebellion, it did of course have some sort of impact on the Virginian society. In the months following the rebellion, the planter elite still maintained social superiority although they now recognized the threat that the poorer citizens, indentured servants, and slaves posed against them. Because of this, an army was soon formed to expand the frontier and free it from all Indians. The results of all of this new land brought satisfaction to the poorer settlers because they no longer suffered from Indian attacks and now had more land to harvest.

If I were to properly assess the occurrences of Bacon’s rebellion and compare them to a point in my life, I would recall a time during the recent years of my life. Because the disproportional distribution of land and money to the lower class citizens relates so well to teenage years, I can remember countless times when I felt like parents, teachers and other authorities were only worrying about themselves and how much they could benefit from things that actually negatively affected me.

One time, my mom wanted to go to a fancy dinner at a friend’s house because she was trying to enlist the mother to become one of her future clients. In her selfish thoughts of her own business, she totally neglected to realize how big of a bully the family’s kids were to me. Every time I went over there, it was nothing but constant harassing and beating. I finally told my mom that I wouldn’t partake in her business affairs any longer and I would go to her client’s house no more.

My situation relates very well with the negligence the government issued to the lower class colonists and how they eventually rebelled and took matters into their own hands to defeat the Indians. Although I didn’t actually defeat my Indians, I did by means of greater intellect decide to avoid them and therefore sustain my life for future years to come.

 

Vince Coppola

10/12/07

Bacon’s Rebellion Draft (Body Only)

Conflicts among the social classes in the Chesapeake region played the main role in contributing to the ignition of Bacon’s Rebellion in 1676. Initially, the lower (or poorer) classes had no political input. This is attributed to the elite mainly for hogging control of the government and only electing their own people into office. They did this so they could maintain their high level of power and control over the society. Despite this being the main reason for the lower classes’ lack of involvement in politics, the poorer people lacked the motivation and organization that the elite had already possessed.

Because the frontiersmen had no opportunity to make immense changes, they suffered the effects of being left out of the government’s interests. These awful effects included small estates, unfertile soil, and constant Indian raids due to their position on the frontier. It was their hate for the Indians that fueled much of the rebellion’s motivation. In Bacon’s declaration of his rebellion in 1676 he wrote, “For having protected, favored, and emboldened the Indians against his Majesty’s loyal subjects, never contriving, requiring, or appointing any due or proper means of satisfaction for their many invasions, robberies, and murders committed upon us” (historymatters.gmu.edu). This serves as evidence of the Governor’s negligence to protect the lower classes of society; nor show any interest in any class but his own. This constant struggle with the Indians was the first initiation of Bacon’s bond with the frontiersmen.

Bacon already lived on a large estate and had excellent relations with people in office; the Governor Berkeley being his cousin. He was fueled by his hunger for power and his hate for the Indians.

It was this common hate for the Indians that formed the bond between Bacon and his soon-to-be following frontiersmen. They led many raids against the Indian tribes along the frontier. In 1676, he led his band of followers straight to the capital and pressed the governor to clear the frontier of all Indian tribes. When the governor refused to obey Bacon’s orders, even when threatened with death, Bacon formed his “Declaration of the People” on July 30, 1676.

Bacon’s famous declaration made points against both the local Indians and against the Governor Berkeley,

For having, when the army of English was just upon the track of those Indians, who now in all places burn, spoil, murder and when we might with ease have destroyed them who then were in open hostility, for then having expressly countermanded and sent back our army by passing his word for the peaceable demeanor of the said Indians, who immediately prosecuted their evil intentions, committing horrid murders and robberies in all places, being protected by the said engagement and word past of him the said Sir William Berkeley, having ruined and laid desolate a great part of his Majesty’s country, and have now drawn themselves into such obscure and remote places and are by their success so emboldened and confirmed by their confederacy so strengthened that the cries of blood are in all places, and the terror and consternation of the people so great, are now become not only difficult but a very formidable enemy who might at first with ease have been destroyed. (historymatters.gmu.edu)

They formed a militia and began leading even more raids along the frontier against local Indian tribes; whether peaceful or not. But their raids did not stop with just the Indians, according to this article they also acted against their social superiors, “Bacon and his band pillaged and ransacked tidewater plantations” (caho-test.cc.columbia.edu).

This rebellion continued in full fury until Bacon’s death of dysentery in October of 1676. Because the leader was now gone, his followers soon disbanded. Any followers who were left remaining found themselves under heavy persecution by the governor. The execution of the rebels lasted for some months until one thousand English soldiers arrived from England to suppress all of the calamity caused by the rebellion and its aftermath.

Despite the short life of the rebellion, it did of course have some sort of impact on the Virginian society. In the months following the rebellion, the planter elite still maintained social superiority although they now recognized the threat that the poorer citizens, indentured servants, and slaves posed against them. Because of this, an army was soon formed to expand the frontier and free it from all Indians. The results of all of this new land brought satisfaction to the poorer settlers because they no longer suffered from Indian attacks and now had more land to harvest.

If I were to properly assess the occurrences of Bacon’s rebellion and compare them to a point in my life, I would recall a time during the recent years of my life. Because the disproportional distribution of land and money to the lower class citizens relates so well to teenage years, I can remember countless times when I felt like parents, teachers and other authorities were only worrying about themselves and how much they could benefit from things that actually negatively affected me.

One time, my mom wanted to go to a fancy dinner at a friend’s house because she was trying to enlist the mother to become one of her future clients. In her selfish thoughts of her own business, she totally neglected to realize how big of a bully the family’s kids were to me. Every time I went over there, it was nothing but constant harassing and beating. I finally told my mom that I wouldn’t partake in her business affairs any longer and I would go to her client’s house no more.

My situation relates very well with the negligence the government issued to the lower class colonists and how they eventually rebelled and took matters into their own hands to defeat the Indians. Although I didn’t actually defeat my Indians, I did by means of greater intellect decide to avoid them and therefore sustain my life for future years to come.

Themes: Race, Class, Politics, Economics

How did each of these themes instigate the rebellion?

RACE - Because Nathaniel Bacon was angry at the governing authorities and elites for worrying so much about Native rights.

CLASS - Because Nathaniel Bacon and his following settlers were mad that their social class received the shortest straw when it came to land rights and ability to farm and harvest resources for economical advancement.

POLITICS - Nathaniel Bacon and his settlers, who were all poor farmers, did not initially have a say in the democratic jurisdiction that dictated the treaties that were being made and consequently how much land they had the ability to utilize for farming.

ECONOMICS - The only way to advance in Virginia was to hop on to the economic train and harvest whatever was in the spotlight at the time. Since Bacon and his pals had no opportunity to cultivate their own land and their own harvest, they received the worst dividends and had no way to fix it.

Interconnectedness:

Because of the need for economic involvement in order to survive in the colony, Bacon needed to devise a plan so that his class was not oppressed under the favoritism of the governing authorities towards their own elite, and the Natives. This is where race starts to play in the game. Therefore, Bacon needed to get involved in politics. But since he was labeled as a traitor by the governor, he revolted into what became the Bacon Rebellion.

www.thetruth.com is a more honest source than tobacco industries. Unlike the tobacco companies, thetruth.com openly distributes completely true and realistic facts about smoking to the public. The creators of www.thetruth.com use sarcasm and mockery to illustrate how horrible smoking is to humans and provides clear and concise scientific evidence to support their claims. In addition to their use of science, they also use the claims of tobacco companies in the past against them. In one example in 1997, a CEO of a tobacco company claims he would shut down his company if he was convinced beyond a reasonable doubt that smoking caused cancer. Even when recently supplied with proof though, their company still thrives upon the ignorance of the public, originally utilized in the 17th century with the harvesting of tobacco farms in Virginia. The Truth organization is advocating the same cause that was originally pitched by King James I in England when smoking was first introduced. It seems, though, that the addicted victims of smoking and their tobacco companies still play the majority role in the giant tobacco controversy.

Labels: WRITING

Situation: Vince and Ian arguing relentlessly.

AOD Principle(s) Applied: Active Listening, Reflection, Negotiation, Evaluation and Diversity.

Recap: So in a rather large nutshell, I was in a delightfully heated dispute with Ian. We choose to engage in this sport rather frequently and with a tasteful amount of consistency. We also choose to verbally kill each other to no avail. Neither of us gain from it and we finally realized that in those situations, neither of us are right. But neither of us are entirely wrong either. It took a lot of Active Listening on both of our parts to finally understand where the other person was coming from. When a person would Evaluate the other persons actions, both would Reflect on how this statement made them feel. We eventually Negotiated to the point of understanding and respecting each other's Diversity in the matter. We understood that words like "always" and "never" are NEVER true and both of us are always somewhat responsible for the argument. By unifying many AOD principles and incorporating them into our argument, we arrived upon a nicely found conclusion that allowed us to finally understand each other's viewpoints and consequently settle the dispute.

Labels: AOD

WHY WOULD CRAIG ASK US TO READ THIS ARG ARTICLE??

I believe the answer to this quite daunting question is simply that Craig himself yearns to be a puppetmaster in his own special ARG with his students. This might sound a bit like a suspicion of a conspiracy, but I believe Craig's email shines A LOT of light on this theory:

"Are we playing an ARG?

I don't know, are we?"

I think since we ARE in the midst of a crazy ARG of our own, we might as well figure out just why we are playing.

Craig probably realizes that if you get used to playing an ARG, you start to look at things differently and try to find a new meaning to old things. It also adds a bit of mystery to things, which could be beneficial to an ARG played in a class setting.

I find this very interesting and I'm going to go search Craig's site right now for more elusive hints regarding his own personal ARG.

Labels: WRITING

Friday's community project didn't have that great of an effect on me. The lady was neither in drastic need of work to be done nor did she need help at all. She ordered us around as if she were paying us and she didn't seem that appreciative either.

The day went very slow and although it was semi-productive, I still felt like I was complacently droning over weeds the whole time because we weren't really helping a desperate old woman; we were just helping lazy one.

Labels: WRITING

In the tri-section reading assigned, the authors present us with a very clear and obvious idea of what happened during the Spanish conquests in America. Although the documents speak from very opposites stances, they all show just how cruel and unrelenting the Spaniards were towards the original inhabitants of America. In Montecino's 1511 sermon, he directly accuses the Spanish people of disturbing God's appointed inhabitants of the America's with their own personal pride, lust, and anger. He makes it very obvious to the audience that Spanish activity in America directly contradicts their original claims to convert the Indians to Christianity. In the second document, The Requerimiento, the King Ferdinand makes a perfectly fair and proper claim to the Indians that the Spaniards will provide them with excellent care and benefits if they comply with the Spanish conquests. He must, of course, also provide them with a consequence of complete destruction if they choose to ignore reverence to their Spanish superiors. The third document, by Bartolome De Las Casas, is an actual account by an eye witness of the Spaniards' cruelty to the Indians. Although the latter two documents are both biased from opposite viewpoints, this document actually tells how the Spanish tormented and tortured the Indians without cause or reason. It says how the Indians didn't even fight back until they absolutely had to; and the arms with which they took up were nothing more than wooden sticks.

In response to the three articles, it is obvious that the Spanish were cruel; this is clear in each document. Despite this, the author of the Requerimiento is blind of his contradictions to his own claims to want to convert the Indians. It is completely outrageous how a supposedly Christian king would threaten to wipe out an entire race if they did not submit to his almighty greed, pride and blood lust. The friar Montecino pins the motives of the Spaniards exactly. I agree entirely with his rebuking of the Conquistadors in America for their wicked deeds towards the native inhabitants. But above both of these documents, I have a greater respect for the man Bartolome De Las Casas for his account of the actual events in America. He provided an almost entirely unbiased document of the cruelties of the Spaniards. Despite the King's claim to not attack without reason, they most certainly did do so. I find it sick how our country ignores the terror of how our land was first discovered and inhabited.

Labels: WRITING