Friday, February 27, 2009
The Jackson Four are getting so big!
Aww...I just knew my boys wouldn't let me down! Tito, Michael, Jermaine, and Marlon are getting muscular! I think they have been sliding steroids or working out while Ive been sleeping! Perhaps they just like my singing and they are eating their Wheates? Whatever it is, its working. Its so astonishing to watch the Jacksons grow right before my eyes.
Just a start..Argumentative Essay-MTR
The ground shakes at 10:28AM and again at 3:22PM every day, as if it were an alarm going off for the people in the large Appalachian hollow. The lively peoples’ lives stop and is filled with worry. The 22-wheeled coal trucks come around the bin of the hollow, sounding and looking as if they had no mercy for the mountains, the environment, and the people.
Mountaintop removal (MTR) is the “newest and most efficient” mining process, according to the National Mining Association (NMA). The problem with MTR and what the NMA says is the dramatic effects it has on the environment, people, and economy, not only in the Appalachian region, but nationally; which the NMA fails to mention. I do not agree with MTR because of the physical, emotional, and mental damages it has on the Appalachian people, economy and the environment they live in. While there are many sites, books, and articles stating the ungodly things MTR has contributed to, but the NMA had nothing but praise for this innovation. They even established this marvelous project called the “Clean Coal Technology Program”. The Appalachian people suffer with MTR five days a week, and could last 24 hours a day. This means there is a constant rush of toxins in the air they breathe in, including sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxide, and arsenic. These dangerous chemicals and heavy metals also find their way into the creeks and wells of the people living around the MTR sites by “sludge spills”. Coal washing often results in thousands of gallons of contaminated water that looks like black sludge and contains toxic chemicals and heavy metals. The sludge, or slurry, is often contained behind earthen dams in huge sludge ponds. One of these ponds broke on February 26th, 1972 above the community of Buffalo Creek in southern West Virginia. The Pittston Coal Company had been warned that the dam was dangerous, but they did nothing. Heavy rain caused the pond to fill up and it breached the dam, sending a wall of black water into the valley below. Over 132 million gallons of black wastewater swept through the valley. A depressing 125 people were killed, 1100 injured and 4000 were left homeless. Over 1000 cars and trucks were destroyed and the disaster did 50 million dollars in damage. The coal company called it an “act of God”. If one drop of arsenic touched the tongue of one of these people, it would be fatal. Many reports have been made stating that MTR has harmed and even killed some of the people of Appalachia. (Find quote or report of health issues). Aside from the health issues, there has been property damage, such as cracked foundations, broken windows, and complete destruction to homes and businesses.
Mountaintop removal (MTR) is the “newest and most efficient” mining process, according to the National Mining Association (NMA). The problem with MTR and what the NMA says is the dramatic effects it has on the environment, people, and economy, not only in the Appalachian region, but nationally; which the NMA fails to mention. I do not agree with MTR because of the physical, emotional, and mental damages it has on the Appalachian people, economy and the environment they live in. While there are many sites, books, and articles stating the ungodly things MTR has contributed to, but the NMA had nothing but praise for this innovation. They even established this marvelous project called the “Clean Coal Technology Program”. The Appalachian people suffer with MTR five days a week, and could last 24 hours a day. This means there is a constant rush of toxins in the air they breathe in, including sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxide, and arsenic. These dangerous chemicals and heavy metals also find their way into the creeks and wells of the people living around the MTR sites by “sludge spills”. Coal washing often results in thousands of gallons of contaminated water that looks like black sludge and contains toxic chemicals and heavy metals. The sludge, or slurry, is often contained behind earthen dams in huge sludge ponds. One of these ponds broke on February 26th, 1972 above the community of Buffalo Creek in southern West Virginia. The Pittston Coal Company had been warned that the dam was dangerous, but they did nothing. Heavy rain caused the pond to fill up and it breached the dam, sending a wall of black water into the valley below. Over 132 million gallons of black wastewater swept through the valley. A depressing 125 people were killed, 1100 injured and 4000 were left homeless. Over 1000 cars and trucks were destroyed and the disaster did 50 million dollars in damage. The coal company called it an “act of God”. If one drop of arsenic touched the tongue of one of these people, it would be fatal. Many reports have been made stating that MTR has harmed and even killed some of the people of Appalachia. (Find quote or report of health issues). Aside from the health issues, there has been property damage, such as cracked foundations, broken windows, and complete destruction to homes and businesses.
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Just a start....Argumentative Essay
ok im writing everthing on Word and then posting it tonight....Im thinking reeeeally hard!
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Thesis for MTR Argumentative Paper
My thesis for my MTR Argumentative Paper is that I will dispute the claims made by coal companies about "Clean Coal", and the negative effects of MTR(poverty, environment, health, property damage) and reason why this problem still exists (out of sight, out of mind).
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Saturday, February 21, 2009
The Jackson Four....Day 3
Today started out pretty warm with gusty wind, but the Jackson Four were looking good! I think they solved their issues because Michael wasn't alone anymore. I even put some inspirational music on to help them grow (Old school Jackson 5 and Michael Jackson songs from my Ipod). I'm sure they enjoyed it. There's not too much activity as far as that for now, but I know its just cause they are getting over their stage fright right now.
Day 2....
Well my little seedlings are shivering from the cold weather and saw the moon for the first time! I have been encouraging them to grow up nice and strong. There was a bit of condensation on the bag this morning. Michael is still a little runt and I think Tito, Jermaine, and Marlon have become a group together and Michael is on his own. I hope they work things out. haha
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Day One....Ahhh life begins!
Day One,
2/18/09
Today in English class I got a plastic sandwich bag, a white plain paper towel, and four seeds. I was told to fold the napkin and place it in the bag along with the seeds, then put water in the bag ( just enough to have the napkin moist). I was so elated to actually get my head out of notebooks and my hands on something other than a pen! Mr. Houp said we were growing our seeds and documenting what happened or didn't happen everyday at home. He also told the class to name our little seedlings which was hilarious. I didn't think that I would have so much fun naming a seed (OK, so I'm still a little geeky). I named my group of seeds the Jackson Four. There's Tito, Jermaine, Marlon, and the runt is Michael.
I brought my seeds home after a long day at school and taped them to my window in my bedroom so they could get some sunlight. Nothing amazing has happened just yet, but I have a feeling little Michael may be thinking of a master plan to break out on his own. I will just have to keep watching. It is quite amazing what the tiniest things in life can produce. Just think, I have four seeds that will eventually become beans and produce more seeds that produce even more beans, and the circle of life continues...(I had a Lion King moment there)
2/18/09
Today in English class I got a plastic sandwich bag, a white plain paper towel, and four seeds. I was told to fold the napkin and place it in the bag along with the seeds, then put water in the bag ( just enough to have the napkin moist). I was so elated to actually get my head out of notebooks and my hands on something other than a pen! Mr. Houp said we were growing our seeds and documenting what happened or didn't happen everyday at home. He also told the class to name our little seedlings which was hilarious. I didn't think that I would have so much fun naming a seed (OK, so I'm still a little geeky). I named my group of seeds the Jackson Four. There's Tito, Jermaine, Marlon, and the runt is Michael.
I brought my seeds home after a long day at school and taped them to my window in my bedroom so they could get some sunlight. Nothing amazing has happened just yet, but I have a feeling little Michael may be thinking of a master plan to break out on his own. I will just have to keep watching. It is quite amazing what the tiniest things in life can produce. Just think, I have four seeds that will eventually become beans and produce more seeds that produce even more beans, and the circle of life continues...(I had a Lion King moment there)
MTR Rhetorical Precis I
Erik Reece in "The Death of a Mountain"(Harper's, 2005) argues that mountaintop removal (MTR) is harming environments, communities, homes, and the economy, therefore, should be banned.
He supports his argument by visiting MTR sites,witnessing first-hand destruction, and interviews local residents about the impact of MTR;he also researches the history of strip mining; he shows pictures of the after affect of MTR and informs the reader with definitions of critical terms of MTR and the detailed process itself.
Reece's purpose for writing this article is to inform and educate readers about MTR to help prevent destruction of mountains and making a better life for "coal communities".
He writes this article for the general public, particularly where MTR happens most often in the United States, (Kentucky, Tennessee, and West Virgina).
He supports his argument by visiting MTR sites,witnessing first-hand destruction, and interviews local residents about the impact of MTR;he also researches the history of strip mining; he shows pictures of the after affect of MTR and informs the reader with definitions of critical terms of MTR and the detailed process itself.
Reece's purpose for writing this article is to inform and educate readers about MTR to help prevent destruction of mountains and making a better life for "coal communities".
He writes this article for the general public, particularly where MTR happens most often in the United States, (Kentucky, Tennessee, and West Virgina).
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
MTR Rhetorical Precis II
Kristen Johannsen in "Dirty Money- The Economy of Coal",(Missing Mountains, Wind Publications, 2005) argues that the coal industry may be good for the economy, but extremely bad for the people the industry effects (especially in coal mining counties in Kentucky).
She supports her argument by visiting coal mining counties and interview residents about the impact the coal industry has on their lives, such as poor education and low income; she also researches the history of Kentucky "coal counties" and "non-coal counties", to see the differences in the quality of education and amount of income year after year.
Johannsens' purpose for her argument is to inform and educate readers about the lifestyle the coal industry forces upon people; and how the parties involved need to find newer and better ways to change coal production and further the economy.
She writes for the general public, nationwide, but focuses on the Northeast region of the United States; but if one was to read between the lines, the article also seems to be focused on getting government officials and the coal companies themselves to realize what the selfishness of making a thriving business, has done to the public, and that they need to change their mentality on things quickly.
She supports her argument by visiting coal mining counties and interview residents about the impact the coal industry has on their lives, such as poor education and low income; she also researches the history of Kentucky "coal counties" and "non-coal counties", to see the differences in the quality of education and amount of income year after year.
Johannsens' purpose for her argument is to inform and educate readers about the lifestyle the coal industry forces upon people; and how the parties involved need to find newer and better ways to change coal production and further the economy.
She writes for the general public, nationwide, but focuses on the Northeast region of the United States; but if one was to read between the lines, the article also seems to be focused on getting government officials and the coal companies themselves to realize what the selfishness of making a thriving business, has done to the public, and that they need to change their mentality on things quickly.
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