Fast Food Nation: Chapters 5-8

The first thing I thought of when I was reading this was how the gas companies are supposedly gouging the consumer by having excess profit margins on gas. In the same way, how can a fast food company buy frozen french fries for 30 cents per pound, and then turn around after frying them in oil that is most likely disgusting, and then charging 6 dollars per pound? Does anyone else see any correlation between what the gas companies are doing and what McDonald's is doing? Money is the root of all that kills. It also is sad that now instead of these potato farms being owned by single families with rags to riches stories, they are owned instead by other corporations selling their product to yet another corporation. As is the same with the beef and poultry markets, wherein only a few companies are supplying all of the product for an entire country. I think that instead of reading this whole book you could have shown the documentaries The Corporation and Meet Your Meat and that would pretty much take care of it all...

Hold the Phone Response

The first thing that really jumps out at me about this article is that fact that because Bush decided that most of the American people would want him to do everything he can to stop terrorists, he was able to start this domestic spying. When the hell did the system of checks and balances get thrown out the window especially when it's my family's privacy that could be on the line?? Just reenforces the idea that I can't believe we actually elected this guy. The fact that he decided to do this secretly is extremely disturbing! There are certain steps that anyone in the government and every citizen is expected to take and the fact that he is able to ignore these steps is unlawful. It's time for us to start taking control of the government again and really start getting things done that are going to truly benefit the people. Can't wait until the next election so I can vote... It will be easier to take a Republican in office if I know that I did my part to vote against him!

The Pentagon's New Spies

Ok, so I just finished reading the first paragraph and I realize that this is the kinda stuff that makes me wanna move to CANADA! That's right this makes me wanna go up there and eh it up with all of them and see what everything is ABOOT! This is disgusting. How could anyone permit operatives from the Defense Intelligence Agency to spy on dissidents by posing as peace activists and infiltrating anti-war meetings? The government is so schizophrenic about certain things like this when they should really be worrying about the fact that our generation won't have a social security to draw from when it comes to that time. Or how about that we're spending trillions of dollars on this pointless war where the morale is at the lowest point it's ever been and soldiers have even said that there's no way we are going to win over there (my uncle). Reading this actually made me wonder if anyone in this sect of the government had ever read 1984 or even Brave New World. Maybe THEY need some reading assigned to them Smith! (MR.)

Fast Food Nation Chapters 1-4

Just from the opening chapters of Fast Food Nation, I can't believe the sheer amount of pull that the restaurant business, especially fast food business has on the entire country and world's economy. If McDonald's was ever to go out of business or something, the meat industry would be thrown into an uproar, along with other company's such as Coca-Cola. It's sick that McDonald's "Golden Arches" are more recongnizable to the common American citizen than the cross. No other company in the world can say that 98% of their customers can recognize their mascot. I would have to say that the only other one on earth that could possibly say this would be Disney. Just from these chapters I am definitely going to have to look at my life and how I'm living it from now on, especially in regards to the corporations and restaurants I support and what they stand for morally and ethically.

Greatest Fear

My greatest fear physically is to die of asphyxiation or drowning because I think it would probably be the most horrible thing ever! Just that complete loss of control and not being able to do anything. YEAH! And mentally it would be failing at something.

1984: Section Three

Finally, the culmination of thise dystopic and severely depressing world. Winston, alone in body and soul. He has been completley given up. Those he thought he could trust have completely deserted him, while the ones he thought were the strongest party supporters end up being his cell mates. On top of that, all logic such as 2+2=4 has even escaped him and now the idea that it actually equals 5 seems plausible. The Party's power controls all thought, no matter who and where. I do, however, think it's scary that he still dreams of O'Brien and Julia even after they have betrayed him while sitting in his cell. The Party has broken Winston's spirit by the end of the story. Tear.

'We Are a Nuclear Power' Response

For the first time ever I actually agree with something that Bush has to say. When he said that Kim Jong Il acted like "a spoiled child at a dinner table." It seems that he's such a horrible little man because he's always trying to compensate for something in his life whether it be his size or the fact that he will never live up to his father's status in the eyes of the Korean people. I feel that much of the reason that Kim Jong Il has started nuclear testing is to try and prove that he can take North Korea to a new level. He feels that the nuclear testing is more important than trying to raise money to feed his people so they don't have to accept foreign aid. It is actually disgusting the amount of pure admiration and respect that the North Korean people feel for their leaders. It doesn't seem to matter to the N. Koreans that they are truly living in desperation because of the fact that they don't know any better because of the government's ability to oversee everything that they are doing. It's disgusting also that if Kim Jong Il and his father disagreed with something they took care of it usually by killing them. Sick. This family is so used to getting their way that they are willing to do anything to get it. Because of this, we need to continue to watch North Korea's dealings with nuclear power and be willing and ready to help the North Korean people. The sad truth is, however, that we cannot help these people unless they ask for it. They may never come to this realization, however, due to the government's stronghold on all media and internet services.

1984 Section Two

This part of the book was much more uplifting than the first, which was extremely nice to see because it sucks to read a book and then be depressed about the state of the world for a week as you continualy are able to point out similarities between this extremely dystopic society and our own society. It was great not only how Winston was finally able to get to know this mystery girl, but turns out they are on the same side and have the same thoughts towards Big Brother. Of course, I was expecting Charrington to be on the bad side, because what is a good book, movie, or life without some good twists thrown in to add excitement and yet another layer of deceit. Anyways, so far so good. Can't wait to find out what happens to Winston and Julia next. Actually, I can wait apparently cuz I didn't bother to read on any further. So, yeah. Good times.