Blogpost 9: Response to "Tiger Woods Good vs. Tiger Woods Bad"

I have decided to write in response to Sam’s blogpost, “Tiger Woods Good vs. Tiger Woods Bad.” This topic interested me because the media has been constantly talking about the so-called “Tiger Woods scandal” and I was curious to find out what really happened the night when Woods got into an accident. I have reviewed three articles (two from Sam’s blogpost and one from my research) and Sam’s personal opinion on the issue. After reviewing these, I had no reason to oppose Sam’s opinion. I strongly believe that Tiger Woods is guilty of cheating on his wife Elin Nordegren.

The first article Tiger Woods Scandal: Rachel Uchitel, a Haptons Party Girl illustrates what Rachel Uchitel, the woman who is suspected of having an affair with Tiger Woods, has to say about the incident. Uchitel plainly denies having an affair with Woods by saying that the media does not have any credible sources to prove her affair. She states that people are giving false information to magazines to get money. As I scrolled down the page however, her speech started to sound more and more like an excuse. Her front and back did not match. It seemed like Uchitel was just spitting out words on impulse.

The second article Tiger Woods Scandal does not do a very good job describing the scandal. There is even a fragment in the article. The article just states that the Tiger Woods scandal generated a controversy.

To look further into the issue, I have researched and found another article that revealed some of the messages Woods sent to Uchitel. He wrote, “I know it’s brutal on you that you can’t be with me all the time…I finally found someone to connect with…someone I have never found like this. Not even at home.” The article claims that the People magazine reported that Woods’ fellow golfers knew about his cheating too. This must have been a huge shock for his wife Nordegren.

Reading the three articles made it clear that Tiger Woods did indeed have an affair with another woman besides his wife. There can be no excuses for why Woods sped out of his driveway at 2:25 a.m., hit a fire hydrant, and drove into a tree while his wife followed him with a 3 iron in her hands. I agree with Sam’s statement, “The first article does a very good job convincing the reader of the many reasons that (why) Tiger would be driving out of his house the way that he was, (and) explanations of the incident.” I am convinced that Woods had an affair with Uchitel. I believe that he should realize what he had done wrong and sincerely apologize to his family soon and live in harmony.

blogpost 8: Final take on Intelligence and Nurture: Take action!

It is clear that environmental factors determine one’s intelligence, as explained in my persuasive essay: Is Intelligence determined by nature or nurture? This means that environmental factors such as education, adoption, smoking, and drinking influence one’s intelligence significantly. If these factors are handled properly, it is possible to increase average intelligence and make this world a better place to live in. However, it is impossible to do this if we do not stand up and take action. To help with the cause of intelligence, we should study harder, support children in deprived countries, and help others struggling with smoking or drinking problems.

As students, we should focus more on our education and study hard- not because it is our job to do so, but to improve our intelligence. We should not take education for granted, but be grateful that we are able to have it. We should always challenge ourselves to attempt at harder problems that will enable us to develop our critical thinking skills. Knowing the importance of education, we should also help children and teenagers in other countries get education too. We can do this by donating through various organizations or even volunteering as a teacher if we have a chance to travel. I have had a wonderful experience this summer as I volunteered as an elementary English teacher in Thailand. There were only 15 students in my class and sometimes I could not communicate with them, but it was an experience that I would never forget. If you are not able to travel, you can donate through an organization called “World education.” They will give your donation to 50 different countries in Asia and Latin America that need funds for the cause of education.

Since it is now clear that smoking and drinking has a huge affect on one’s intelligence, we should act out by encouraging people who are struggling with smoking and drinking problems to seek help. There are many non-profit and government organizations that can help those who have decided to end their bad habits. One of them, you might have heard about it too, is the Alcoholic Anonymous (AA). This non-profit organization calls itself “a fellowship of men and women who share their experience, strength and hope with each other that they may solve their common problem and help others to recover from alcoholism.” The only requirement for a membership is a desire to stop drinking; there are no dues or fees. AA will try their best to help their members stay sober. For smokers who are willing to quit, there is an online service called “Quitnet.” They claim to be the world’s largest and most comprehensive online quit-smoking service. Quitnet offers smokers with tools and support to quit smoking and stay quit. They provide research-based advice and give access to public or private counseling with an experienced quit-specialist also.

There are multiple ways to get involved with the cause of intelligence. With your small action, the world can become a much better place to live in. It is not too difficult to act out. Just study hard, donate, and help those suffering with alcohol and/or smoking. We need you to act out now!

Link 1 (Support)

Link 2 (Oppose)

Blogpost 7: Tom Cruise and Scientology

Having won three Golden Globe Awards and ranked as the world’s most powerful celebrity, Tom Cruise has become a national and an international top star. Because of his popularity, the amount of influence he has on the public is greater than most others. People stay in tune to what goes on in his life, because they want to know the real Tom Cruise behind the screen. That is why a unique religion called “Scientology,” endorsed by Tom Cruise, have interested many.

For quite awhile, Tom Cruise endorsed a religion called “Scientology.” His strong support and involvement with Scientology started in 1990, most likely through his first wife Mimi Rogers. Ever since then, he took an active part as a member of the Church of Scientology and held many campaigns and promoted various programs for the sake of the religion. Now, he is known not only as an actor, but also as an outspoken advocate for Scientology. His strong beliefs in the religion however, often lead him to make controversial statements that offended some groups. For example, in an Entertainment Weekly Interview, Cruise announced that psychiatry “is a Nazi science.” Despite the many criticisms he receives, Cruise still holds his beliefs of Scientology and endorses others to believe in it too.

To provide a brief overview of Scientology, Scientology is a religion that deals with the human spirit and its relationship to the universe and its Creator. The word “Scientology” means “the study of knowledge or truth” and it teaches that the fundamental laws of life can help people achieve a more fulfilling life. The key belief of Scientology is that an individual is a spirit, not a body or a brain or genes. The religion teaches that spiritual enlightenment leads to personal understanding of oneself, others, and one’s relationship to the universe.

Reading and watching some short clips about Tom Cruse and Scientology, I was amazed at how passionate he was about his religion. I was also surprised at how good of a speaker he was. He was persuasive when discussing his religion and it seemed as though he had the proper knowledge to endorse Scientology. However, due to the many controversial statements he made, I believe that his endorsement would not have the desired outcome. If he could be a little more accepting of other's opinions, he may have a better chance at getting more support from others.

Blogpost 6: Pro-life or Pro-choice?

Even after the decision of Roe vs. Wade, the subject of abortion remains as a controversial issue and the debate continues on. Although both sides of the issue explain their cause in terms of absolute moral values, the two parties have never reach an agreement yet. The question concerning this subject is, “What should be the moral and legal status of abortion?” Pro-life (against abortion) and pro-choice (for abortion) groups take their stance.

The pro-choice side of the issue believes that abortion is a woman’s right and it bans discrimination against women. They say that when a woman does not desire pregnancy, the continuation of it can cause physical and emotional stress. Only a pregnant woman knows whether she is ready to give birth to a child or not and so the government should not take any part in making that decision for her, is what they believe. Pro-choice supporters assert that banning abortion is a violation of a woman’s right to privacy, because abortion is a “decision one makes about one’s body and one’s reproductive capacity.” They also say that denying a woman’s access to abortion is a form of gender discrimination, because it is nothing different to denying woman access to medical services.

The pro-life side of the debate believes that choosing to destroy an unborn child is a choice of murder. Therefore, they say that abortion is immoral and wrong. Pro-life Christians say that God allowed people to make their own decisions (free-will), but did not allow people to make decisions for others (unborn baby). According to them, God, not the pregnant mother of an unwanted child, is the giver of life and death. Pro-life feminists also speak out, outraged at the effect abortion has on women. They say that pro-choice has hurt woman rather than promoting gender equality. The feminists declare that only women experience the immediate and long-term traumas, complications, emotional devastation, or psychological traumas after getting an abortion and that is just not fair.

I personally think that the pro-life side of the issue is more convincing, and that may be because I am a Christian. However, besides the Christian values, statements from the pro-life feminists convinced me. I always saw abortion as a one-time thing, an over-and-done-with process. But, now see the possibility of the side effects of abortion hurting women after the process is complete. For as long as I can remember, my opinion for the subject of abortion was pro-life. Therefore, my belief did not change after reading the two articles. If anything, my belief became more solid.

Link (Pro-choice)

Link (Pro-life)