Freedom is found in the West.

Balance Please

When Thoreau said, "that government is best which governs least", what do you think he meant? Do you agree or disagree?
I am assuming by stating "that government is best which governs least", Thoreau meant that the best kinds of governments are those that give people the most freedom.
I do not fully agree with Thoreau because I think the government should have power. If America had a government that allowed people to do whatever they wanted then lunatics like Kaczynski would be running around and blowing us up with trees. On the other hand if the government has to much power then it becomes a monarchy or a communist country (can anyone say Stalin). It all boils down to balance, people should have a say in what the government does because after all it is our country but the government should have some control so that things don't get out of hand.

Two Wrongs Don't Make A Right

In my opinion the southern states should not have seceded from the Union, it seems like it was a decision made out of anger rather than logic. If they would not have been granted amnesty by the president then he would have been acting upon anger just as the south had, and we both know two wrongs do not make a right. Even though I do not agree with what the south did and would like to say that the they should have been punished, I am happy that they were granted amnesty. During the Civil war the south suffered a great deal and I think that all of that suffering was enough punishment for them. If you haven't noticed no one else has tried to secede from the Union.

A Blonde Joke

The media can do anything; it can influence our decisions, inform us of new ideas, and even cause mass hysteria. Televisions, radio stations, newspapers and magazines all have an influence on how we think, whether we are conscious of it or not. This can be both good and bad depending on what is in the media. A perfect example is what happened when Orson Welles read H.G. Wells' War of the Worlds on CBS radio network. Look at how quickly the idea that aliens were invading the earth caught on, in my opinion it is the same thing that happens with stereotyping. Lets say one day in school someone tells a joke they read in a magazine about blondes being stupid, after hearing it we will most likely begin to categorize blondes as stupid. If the media had not published the joke in the first place, then the child would not have said anything negative about blondes and no one would have stereotyped them. The media is why stereotypes are so commonly recognized in our society, but it is our choice on whether or not we choose to pass on the information it gives us. 

"Always Stand on the Union Side"

Why was Abraham Lincoln's concern more focused on preserving the Union, rather than slavery?

The Union also known as present day America, is my homeland. Apparently Kentucky born-and-bred Abraham Lincoln thought so as well or he would not have attempted to keep it in tact. Founding America was no small ordeal, infact as you probably know it was a very difficult time consuming process which cost many lives. Now, think about America being torn in two and having to try and re-unite it; that is the problem that Abraham Lincoln was trying to avoid. When all things are put into perspective slavery is not such a prominent issue when your country is falling apart. 

Lets Teach.

When we were children we were taught that lying is wrong and lies should never be repeated because they can start rumors. If history books and teachers are teaching us lies then we must attempt to stop the lies before they can infect our present and future students. If our generations are to be educated with the truth, then the way students are taught must change. By educating our students with the facts of history , we pray they will make better and wiser choices.

It Matters

What shapes the future? Why does it matter? Some people think it is shaped by fate. I believe history and the decisions we have made in the past shape our future. When we look back on our past we can see reflections of the present and foreshadowing of what the future will hold. If we did not have any history to look back on then we would not be able to progress and evolve as individuals or as a society. Anthropologically history is what unites us together through experiences. Next time you slow down and ponder the present think about where you would be if it had not been for history. Then ask your self why history matters.