NOMIC

A game unlike any other but, with key features like all games. Nomic is a game that could go on forever, if not careful. If you are creative you can find amusing ways of progressing your agenda and ruining your enemies. In our group we were content with taking turns and creating rules in a nice and orderly manner but, somehow I feel this wouldn't always be the case with some players. We did have a winner after 30 minutes, who left with the achievement of 5 points... not without the creation of our 3 point system. As the game progresses one becomes more and more creative, and likely more and more vindictive with the end of the game in sight. Interesting version of rule making, that sparks a player's desire to participate and create new rules and abolish old ones. I don't know that I will be sparking up a night of Nomic play with my friends instead of our usual poker night but, I will keep it in mind in time of desperation... maybe when my in-laws are visiting. :)

Pg. 438 / Chapter 11 / Question #6

I do not become offended when the Flag is on paper towels or used as decoration. I don't know that I would be comfortable using toilet paper with stars and stripes printed on it. We live in a country that allows freedom of speach and expression. If people are allowed to burn the flag in protest, I proudly continue to decorate for the Forth of July and all year long for that matter. We are all free to choose our forms of expression. Protesters are a side effect of freedom of speach and believe they are fighting their cause the proper way and I always commend them on their efforts. One case of Flag Burning or the daily negative media or a simple protest is never going to be enough to change my opinion. I

Pg. 394/ chapter 10 / Question #3

Holmes had proof of having a great character. He was responsible for saving the boat, he was the last man off the boat, he had given all but 2 articles of clothing to the women and he had saved many from drowning. He followed an order and it was not explained in the story what his punishment would have been for not following orders. How would he have shown proof that he hadn't thrown anyone overboard? Why was the Captain or the First Mate not held responsible?

I'm not sure there were many underlying themes in the film Fahrenheit 9/11 - Bush profits from Saudi friendships & the war is over oil. The film questioned what we as a nation are told, this sparks people's interests & cause people to search for the truth. The film only depicted negative and wanted to produce one result: Hate for President Bush. The film pointed out lots of information but did not tell the viewers why the information was important. Much of this film was based on emotions, from the TV make-up at the start, the tone of voiced Moore would use and suggestions like Bush sat by on 9/11 & did nothing. None of my opinions or perceptions of our President have been changed by viewing this film. I love that George Bush is a real guy, he doesn't always say the right thing, he stumbles & forgets &, dispite being ridiculed more than any previous president, he has not changed his opinions & beliefs, Michael Moore definately won't change my opinions in an hour and 1/2. Patriotism is not the subject of this film. I see Patriotism as believing in your country & standing with other Americans to pursue freedom & greatness, this will be different for every American. I believe that Moore thinks of himself as a patriot, I to would define myself as a patriot & with our differences we both can live in America & express our beliefs safely- that is the truly patriotic. The media would prefer us to live in fear of a terrorist attack & do what they need to do to make their dimes, I myself feel I still live in the best country in the world- terrosrists will never change the way I live my life.

My husband suffered a severe injury on the job and as a result I have witnessed the Workers' Compenstation System first hand. For our recent paper on a local issue I chose to write about the problems in our current workers' comp. system and dispute a few of the oppositions arguements.
Businesses in California will pay 20 Billion in premiums this year, the highest in the nation. California's Workers' Compensation was established in 1913 and there has been little change to the system leading up to 2005. Approximately 1 million injury claims are filed each year. Over 70% of permanent disability claims concern minor injuries, like strains and sprains. Prices paid for medical services under workers' comp. are higher than those paid by other plans for identical services. Payments for hospital stays are 30% higher than employment based health plans. Also, California is the only state that pays permanent disability benefits for minor injuries with out objective medical findings such as an X-ray. Fraud and abuse is driving California's Workers Compensation System and lawmakers must rewite the rules before more damage is done.
While this may seen like a state problem rather than a local one, it does affect everyone who goes to work everyday and hopes to come home with the same abilites they left with. It would be hard for anyone who suffers a permanent injury to recover completly, and having experienced it myself, no amount of money is worth pain and suffering. Workers' Compensation Laws should be a topic of concern for anyone who will depend on the system in injured or disabled.

http://www.rand.org/publications/RB/RB9029/

(chapter 5 / page 197 #8)

There should be no way that illegal immigrants are allowed to vote. As much as I'm sure the politicians would like this to be possible, I feel it would be an insult to our founding fathers and would do a great disservice to the citizens of the U.S. A lot of our readings have discussed our prison system and I wonder how people would feel about giving prisoners the right to vote? It seems to be a bit hypocritical that politicians suggest that illegal immigrants should be able to vote, knowing that a large population of the prison system is made up of illegal aliens. A person on parole has to earn the right to be able to vote again. All U.S. Citizens need to be 18 years or older to vote. If illegal immigrants are able to vote we will eliminate one of the few differences between a legal citizen and an illegal alien.

(chapter 4- #4/pg.163)

Hartnell's website is very similar to that of M.P.C. Each website shows pictures of student life on campus, introduces you to the faculty and courses, and serves as a tool when registering and mapping out the campus itself. Both websites lacked in information about groups and organizations on campus. If you look at websites at the University level you will see more virtual tours, student comments, and all the clubs and organizations will have information litsed. For a new incoming student, unfamiliar with the surroundings, all the informaiton available is crutial, and this is true for a campus at any level. This could be a budget issue or choice of spending. All college websites are informative, some more than others... Don't we also find this to be the case on campus?

(chapter 3 - #7/pg.110) "gun control"

Opponets of gun control will stand firm on their opinion that 'guns kill people' and the world would be better off without guns all together. The National Rifle Association has stated that people are ultimately responsible for thier own actions and police need to have more control over illegal activity. I feel that people, who have the mentality to kill a peron, are capable of doing so with or without a gun. A gun owner has a responsibility to ensure safety, especially around children. Our right to own a gun allows a choice in the matter. People have the right to defend themselves. If a gun is your mode of defense then your are liable for the consequences. I personally do not own a gun. As a person prone to accidents and clumsyness, I don't feel the need to increase my chances. Gun control remains a controversial subject that I feel will be disputed forever.

(response to ch.2/pg.63/#4)

I think it is irresponsible to suspend a student for not participating in a commercialized advertising stunt. I think that schools have an obligation to provide fair and just forms of discipline. An event such as "Coke Day" on a school campus should have optional particiapation, seeing as how an event of this nature has no educational value. On the contrary, like the article stated, soda had had an adverse effect on most people. School campuses, such as this one, might think about having a school sponsored "Got-Milk Day."

A national I.D. card may prevent an illegal from having as many privileges however, it will not eliminate terrorism. Alot of terrorists are in our country legally and do not always have long criminal histories. Having a national I.D. card may prevent more I.D. forgeries, but I haven't seen any evidence proving that to be certain. The I.D. card is a nice idea in theory, but needs to be combined with other preventative measures. I'm not sure that the gains will out way the losses. Loopholes can be located by any terrorist who is determined. As a country we need to measure the good and bad of any decision and determine what good can come out of any change before soing so.