5 Ideas for Passion Project

1) US involvement in Iraq, what would be the consequences? I am interested and passionate in this topic because not only does this effect the rest of the world but it also effects me as well, because who knows the retaliation of the insurgent groups on American soldiers.

2) Russia involvement in Ukraine, will other countries use military action? I am interested in this because this is a scary issue. Russia is a nuclear capable country and they have taken over a city in Ukraine, and have now started to use military advancement in the country.

3) Ebola in Africa, when will we find a cure? I am concerned about this because even though the CDC has it under control and it is not directly effecting me, it is still killing people and we need to stop it as soon as possible.

4) The Afghanistan War, when will it end? People have nicknamed the war " The Never ending war", and the question that I ask myself is "are those people right"? Will the war on terror ever end?

5) Syrian civil war. I don't know much about this issue, but I do know that the war needs to end.

The Grace of Silence Personal Response

David Koester

8-26-14

English 10

Blog post 1

     I took the time to ask my family "Is there anything interesting about our family, such as my how ancestors came to America?" Just by asking  that one simple question, I discovered something that I had no knowledge of. My ancestors who where from Japan were castle guards, the castle was overthrown and all affiliates were to be executed. The Japanese form of execution was suicide back then using a sword, this method was know as "Seppuku". This was to die in a state of honor rather than falling into the hands of their enemy. My ancestors during this time had just given birth to a new child, and the baby would be executed by the people who overtook the castle. However the mother (my ancestor) of that child escaped from the castle with the newborn and migrated into another part of Japan. Many years later my ancestors moved to Honolulu Hawaii, and that is where my Grandmother, Grandfather, Uncles, Aunts, Cousins, and some of my closest friends live currently.

     I had thought that my family's history was just bland and boring, rather than a story that sounds like a blockbuster movie. It hasn't quite struck me that if the did not escape execution, I wouldn't be here writing this or even be here at all! I feel like I can relate to what the author is saying because she had stories that she didn't know about, her race of people were oppressed just like mine. In WW2 my Great uncle was put in a internment camp for the remainder of the war. We are alike, the author and I because we both believe that "You'll find out amazing things about your family, and thereby learn essential things about yourself."