Animal Police Videos

After watching the four videos, I can't help but wonder how great it is that people actually get caught for mistreating animals and go to jail for it. It msut be so hard though, to see wounded animals with chains embedded into their necks or with emaciated bodies. I also wonder what kind of training these investigators need to get to do their job. I noticed that some of them carry weapons and are dressed jsut like police officers, but some of them don't wear any special gear. I guess it depends on the case they're dealing with at the time. Of course, it's much more serious in the States to hamr animals, because it's taught at a young age that you should treat every living being with care. Their jobs are quite interesting and they make them sound like it's CSI (the show).

I think Taiwan should also have an animal services unit, or something like APSCA. Maybe there is, but they're underfunded. I don't hear much about animal cruelty cases in Taiwan, but I'm sure there are still some serious issues that police deal with once in a while. Then again, I don't watch the enws everyday so I might miss out on some of that. Sometimes though, I see animals who got rescued or something. I don't know what I'm writing...

It Sucks that We Have to Have Feelings

You know why? Because it means we are selfish. If we didn't have any negative emotions at all, imagine what people would be like. Imagine not being sad, depressed, mad, hateful, melancholy, morose, pessimism, jealousy, etc. Then, wouldn't it be easier to talk about things like world peace or animal rights or war? All that would be left would be people's compassion, love, happiness, joy, camaraderie, and selflessness for all that is around them. But. no. Instead, we get the road rage and car accidents, abused babies and dogs, murderers, psychos, suicides, the 200 threats against the president elect of America. And all for what?

More misery.

Not everything is as bad as it seems. That's what people can't seem to get over. I think our society expects us to be a certain way and we strive so hard for it we completely turn into a Bisybody (The Tao of Pooh-it's a fantastic book, if anybody wants it I'll be glad to lend it!). In other words, we become so busy that we turn into people that are irrelevant of things that could have made us happy if we hadn't had to become successful lawyers or doctors or just successful at anything. What people lose sight of is that there is more to life than being successful. They stop becoming humans with souls capable of connecting with those around them. Instead, they become happy because someone else is getting the big promotion or the perfect grades, the new house, the new car. Why do we have to follow the American Mold? It stops becoming a dream when you have to slave yourself for it. Adults always say it's too complicated, you don't understand. I don't think it's worth the trouble if you are not doing what you love or at least liking the company (people) you have to do it with. People have stopped listening to their inner self and what is good for them. That's why CEOs and other high level execs die with heart attacks right at their desks. They work their bodies into a state of utter waste. It's a sad and painful world if you work so hard but are depressed every day. Of course, the ones who can succeed and be happy with supporting families and such is fantastic. Knowing what's good and bad for you is essential, not only for your body but your soul. I don't mean soul in the religious sense. I mean the connection you share with everything else. A part of you dies when you do something to upset or damage your soul. We aren't just given life to do whatever we want, we're lent our bodies. Of course, you are still yourself and unique, but we're limited because we are immortal. So, if we want to be happy, then just be happy. Nothing else matters.

Whale Wars

I think I agree with Paul Watson and his Sea Shepherds. His tactics might lean towards wartime practices and the video we watched is biased on their side, but I think protecting whales from being hunted is the responsibility of every person who calls themselves a human being. Conservation is very important, but when dozens of species that are disappearing every day there is no on better than people like Paul Watson to engage in direct action. I mean, isn't that how Martin Luther King, Jr. thought too? If you can't negotiate with the other side, you protest. Of course, the only difference is that there is a bit of violence involved in this case. I don't think it's piracy if they use weapons that don't severely hurt or kill anybody. Piracy implies that you board a ship with guns and cutlasses prepared to sink them with cannons, then kill and/or rob them. Mainly to rob, like the pirates in the uh is it the Arabian peninsula?

I went on YouTube and saw the second episode. Then, I watched the other side's recordings. The Japanese ship treated the hostages with care, providing even bread and water. It wasn't as violent as the Sea Shepherds thought. However, I think it was quite clever to cause an international stir about the whole situation. I think awareness is the first step if you want to get anything done in these type of situations. It is ridiculous that all these nations sign treaties all day long , pass some figurehead legislation in their home countries then not deal with the people who actually violate the laws.

If anybody continues watching the series, it is quite apparent that no one intends to harm anybody. The one thing I don't agree with is Captain Watson's harassment of the Japanese ship. He does it to provoke them to do something bad, then they can have a reason to start their plan. He should have waited until they responded. I don't like the way he insulted the Japanese.

What's the point of having an international law banning whaling if there's a loophole? It's stupid. Why allow scientists to hunt whales when you can just let them alone to live out their natural lives? Someone probably provided the loophole just for Japan so they would sign the law into existence. I mean, I know it is traditional for them to hunt whales because it is part of their culture. I think it's shameful though if the Japanese have to hide their whaling operations under the name of research and science. I mean, even if it's illegal they should have the decency to say that they are doing it. If you do something wrong, you should own up to it. If they know it's wrong, it's even worse because it just means they have no hearts to care about these whales. Actually, it's not even the whale problem. Any endangered animal shouldn't even be given a loophole to be hunted, even if it's for science. The point of having laws like this is so they can be enforced on people who think the ecosystem isn't their responsibility.

I think everyone making over 100,000 dollars in the world should be required by the UN to donate to animal protection or Interpol can arrest them.

AnimalsTaiwan

This group wants to protect animals. They believe in educating the public about proper treatment of animals. The group also helps with adoptions and hurt animals. They specialize in finding new homes for stray animals, especially dogs. I think it's very nice that such a group exists. It's very interesting that there are people in Taiwan who care so much. I didn't know groups like this existed in Taiwan. I wonder if there's one in Hsinchu? I think what they do is laudable, since if there wasn't then a lot animals might be destroyed by local animal shelters when they could have been saved and adopted by caring families. I think when it's Winter vacation, I'll see if I can help there. Or maybe during summer.

Animal Rights Amendment

I think it is a positive step forward for Taiwan to pass protection laws that fine people for abusing animals. The intent is good, but I'm not sure it will deter people from abusing animals the same way as they've done before. I think that the Tiawanese government should have passed this law a long time ago because there is a lot happening that people are either too ignorant or apathetic to care. People should know about the law and the consequences that are related if they mistreat animals. I don't think many people know about the law, or if they do they don't pay any attention because they think it doesn't apply to them. That's the problem with laws and policies. Even if you do know about, it doesn't mean you'll actually do anything if someone you know does something illegal or wrong. In the case of animal rights, abuses happen every day. I think Taiwanese society is stigmatized to think that thins like suicide and bombings are more relevant to their lives than when the neighbor's cat is starved and beaten as a play toy. The news that is broadcasted doesn't mention animal rights abuses as often as murders or suicides or legislators trying to kill each other or money laundering schemes. There's not enough exposure to what animals go through that are abused. On the other hand, it could be that too much of what animal rights groups say is propagandized and sounds patronizing, so the public just ignores them.

Many adults I know don't think harming animals is illegal because they grew up in an environment where their parents hurt animals, sometimes doing that for a living. It's quite disgusting when hear them talk about animals like their objects. I hear stories of animal rights abuses that people think are normal. for instance, running over dogs on the highway or throwing them out of windows. Some of the reactions to unwanted animls are clearly a result of a very base understnading of caring about the natural environment. I think the way parents and teachers act influence their kids to an extreme, so their kids emulate the same behaviors. A lot of cultural ideas about certain topics that are wrong aren't addressed and just accepted as right. Also, the police aren't called in to investigate unless PETA or somebody who cares pushes them to do it. They are too busy with traffic accidents, suicides, murders, etc. On the news, you don't hear police officers saying they just rescued some dog from a horrible owner. No, instead they say they just arrested some crazy person who wanted to burn their boss's house down or something. It's just exasperating what some people in this country think is important. It's not anyone's fault, it's more cultural than anything else. Of course, every country has problems with animal abuse. I guess what I'm trying to say is people should be extra careful in dealing with animals because they aren't like humans who can respond with language. They need to be protected because they can't speak for themselves.

yummy

We had pizza today. I think i'm such a pig, I always eat so much. Although, they were those small Paspi ones. I haven't had pizza in a while. I miss Mexican food, too. I guess it's not real Mexican food, cuz everything I had was americanized, so the proper term should be Texmex. I wonder if they have a Taco Bell in Taiwan. I would totally go if there was one. Maybe I should make an event. Maybe like a potluck and everyone brings some homemade Mexican food. That would be really wonderful.

Oh no, I can't sign onto MSN. Something's wrong. Oh yeah. it went on again.

I have to go study....many tests this week and next week. I'll fill you in on the good news after Midterms, then.

Cheating in Class

How does cheating in this class work? Copying what your friend posts and using it as your own opinion? Or copying from websites and not giving credit to where they found the information? I think it might be because some students might not have written papers involving MLA conventions. Also, the culture in Taiwan might have different attitudes towards cheating.

If someone cheats, maybe they should do more work in order to achieve the grade they want or discuss the cheating with the teacher privately, since the student(s) might not want other people to know. I am not sure, how can you change a person's idea of what is cheating if they have thought the same way for their whole lives? Punishment can't really change permanently what has been taught or practiced since childhood. Although, it can make cheating again seem less like something they will do again.

I guess what I'm trying to say is that the form of punishment for cheaters in this class depends on the amount of cheating occurring. I think students try to work hard in this class, but their time is limited so maybe second chances should be given.

Survey about Cheating

1. Copying a few pages from Wikipedia and turning it in as your assignment. Cheating
2. Asking someone else to write a few paragraphs of your paper for you—but you still do most of it. Cheating
3. Asking someone to proofread your assignment and fix the grammar mistakes for you. Not cheating
4. Having someone read what you wrote and tell you if they can understand it or not. You take their ideas and fix what you wrote. Not Cheating
5. Using an article from an English language learning website by copying it and turning it in. Cheating
6. Finding an article online that says exactly what you were thinking, so you just turn that in. Cheating
7. Reading an article that you found online, thinking about it, and then writing a response in your own words. Not cheating
8. Doing a writing assignment for one class and then turning it in for two, three, or even more classes because you are too busy to do another writing assignment. Cheating
9. Finding some writing online, but changing some of the verbs and nouns before you turn it in. Cheating
10. Finding a paper online, but changing all of the verbs before you turn it in. Cheating
11. Copying an article that you found, but you don’t get caught so no one ever knows about it. Cheating

One Heck of a Day

Yesterday was very stressful for my family. My mom was scheduled for a business trip to Japan in the afternoon, but she couldn't find her passport the whole weekend. SHe called me during class to find it, but I treated her very badly, saying things like "Why would I know wher eyou put your things? You always lose them!" I was extremely frustrated because it seemed unfair that I had to remember things for her all the time. I realized later I was wrong and acted very immaturely and selfishly. After apologizing when I got home, I went to help find the passport again. When it still didn't turn up, my mom left to go to wrok. Everyone was in a bad mood and depressed. Well, except my brother because he had no school and played computer all day. Finally, after looking through all the folders in my room, I found her passport in an envelope we used to apply for my Taiwanese citizenship during the summer. I feel so horrible and guilty for delaying her and making everyone involved feel bad. I'm such a loser sometimes.

For this whole week, then, I have to take care of my brother. This means I have to send and sometimes pick him up from school, along with getting dinner. My dad will also be at home at night, maybe he can help, too.

Unit 2: Academic Honesty Challenge Questions

1. I think students cheat because they want better grades, but do not want to spend the time or effort in attaining them. In other cases, the classes are simply too hard and some students will rely on cheating to pass the class so they can move up into even harder classes in the area of study they want to pursue. This type of thinking inadvertently leads to a cycle of cheating that doesn't end because it becomes second nature to cheat.

In some sense, all students cheat at least once. This includes homework, tests, quizzes, etc. Most cheating that doesn't get caught is probably homework, especially in classes that aren't math related and don't need you to show your thinking or work. I remember many students in high school would find the smartest people in class and copy chemistry and physics homework, sometimes math. These were mainly because it was last minute and the work loads were heavy because our curriculum was based on the US models for high schools. And because lots of parents wanted their children to attend good universities. The pressures that parents have on their children to attend prestigious universities is probably a big reason students cheat in high school. Of course, this completely negates the purpose of attending school.

As for university, I haven't met many students who would willingly cheat. It is a more serious offense, I think, because it will affect your acceptance to graduate schools and job opportunities. Colleges expect their students to behave like young adults and understand that cheating is not an alternative to individual work and learning.

3. To deter cheating, I think teachers should make students do something that is dull and not beneficial, like peeling potatoes for five hours or cleaning all the bathrooms in the school. This way, students will learn that cheating is a waste of time and the only jobs people will be willing to give you if you get caught cheating are related to manual labor. The old methods of punishing students don't work sometimes because after suspension or a zero on an assignment, things go on the way they used to be. Schools don't imprint onto the student's mind that they did something wrong. Plus, many schools are too scared to hurt students' feelings for fear of law suits from unhappy parents saying their kid was psychologically damaged. Maybe students should be required to attend counseling after they are caught cheating. This way, students will definitely know there is something wrong with what they did. Also, maybe schools can use some psychological tricks on students, such as cameras monitoring what every student does in the test room, etc. Although, this would be expensive. Another thing to try is to make all tests on computers that only have the test paper stored on it, with each student in a soundproof cubicle that lets no light in. This, of course is really expensive to try. Real solutions to prevent cheating could involve making students separate their chairs further apart (3-4 feet) from the other person, with body searches to make sure students don't have any means of cheating before they walk into the test room. If it becomes standard, then no one will complain it violates their privacy. It would just be like airport body searches. Or, just make cheating illegal and consider a criminal offense. This means, they'll have to do community service, or go to jail, etc.