Journal #3

            Cassius is absolutely against Caesar becoming the sole ruler of Rome, and explains why in his talk with Brutus. He says how Caesar had once drowned and Cassius had to save him; and how Caesar had fallen sick and trembled cowardly. He also showed how there was nothing special in Caesar’s name either: that he was the same human as Brutus and himself. Cassius doesn’t like the idea of someone having total power over him and his people either.

            On the other hand, Brutus is a bit less radical. He is also opposed to Caesar becoming king, yet has a different reason. Brutus thinks it more honorable for Rome to stay a democracy, and not one man being the “all- powerful” ruler. He looks toward the good of the people; therefore, he wants everyone to live in a democracy, even if they wish to elect Caesar. 

Journal #2

You are a player on the baseball team along with your best friend, who is the star hitter. You highly suspect your friend of using steroids, but do not have definitive proof. You have two choices, each with a positive and negative outcome.

1)    Tell the coach that you suspect your friend of using steroids and avoid discrediting the team in the playoffs. This also might save your friend’s health, but you will lose your friend’s respect and he will be immediately removed from the team.

2)    Remain silent, which “protects” your friendship but may damage the credibility of your team and possibly your friend’s health, as well.

           

If I suspected my friend of doing steroids, then I am almost positive that I would not tell the coach. Although this would be the right thing to do, I don’t think I would risk the chance of ruining our friendship by getting him kicked out of the league. First, I would confront him about it, and depending on his answer, I may or may not tell the coach.

            Let’s say he answers yes: that he is doing steroids. In that case, I would probably tell the coach after the season is over. That way he would not be kicked out of the league and our friendship would not be harmed as badly as it would have been. But, if he answered no, then I would simply watch him and make sure he did not lie.

Journal 1

Ever since I was about 12 years old (7^th grade) my father has discreetly and slowly emphasized on the importance of education. At first it was only simple displays, such as persuading me to read the paper in the morning and become interested in politics and the world around me. But soon it became a daily ritual where he would talk to me about grades, the future, and other subjects. I would be ridiculed and sometimes punished if my grades dropped or I began to slack; therefore, I was pressured into studying harder. Strangely, I have begun to develop a great interest in certain topics that my father and I had discussed: mainly economics and politics. While becoming a bit too self- conscious about my intellectual level, there were a few important attributes I gained through this experience.

            First, the conversations we shared gave us a stronger relationship and has given me the chance to see the world as it really is. Although they are my father’s views, I inherit his opinion on politics and then interpret it the way I see it. The fact that I have knowledge on society at my age is a tremendous bonus because I am only becoming more advanced than I already am. Also, my grades have been more than proficient from the extra studying. As part of this, my father helped stimulate my voracious interest in reading. Whether it be the newspaper or a book, he has always encouraged and discussed this with me, as well. Lastly, I have become fantastically self- confident now that I know I am more intelligent and more developed than the great majority of my generation. My days of pressure have paid off into a new beginning for me, thanks to my father.

Journal #1