Controlled Burns

There is a lot of controversy of whether or not people should use controlled burns. Controlled burns are setting fire to a natural habitat, such as forest or prairie, in order to clear out the unwanted species or just refresh the area. Some plants, such as the Sequoia (a tree), need the heat in order for their seeds to be spread. Controlled burns can also prevent real wildfires by getting rid of all of the underbrush that could easily set on fire in dry weather. But controlled burns can also have a negative impact on the environment, such as the smoke polluting the air. And if not executed properly, the fire can get out of hand, like it did in May of 2000, when the town of Los Almos, New Mexico experienced an out of control burn that was originally started by the National Parks Service at Bandelier National Monument. Although with controlled burns there is a chance this will happen, I still think controlled burns should be used. The reason is because, even though the smoke could be harmful, the burns are a lot less harmful than real wildfires. I believe that, if controlled right, the government should continue putting on controlled burns.

 

Works Cited

"Controlled burn - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia." Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Apr. 2011. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Controlled_burn>.

McCuen,  Barbara. "Should the U.S. End Its Policy of Controlled Burns in Wild Areas?." Politics, Activism, Political Issues, Government, and Elections - SpeakOut.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Apr. 2011. <http://speakout.com/activism/issue_briefs/1359b-1.html>.

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Comparing Countries

Ways of life all over the world can be similar, but also very different. Each country has different ideas-  ideas that affect the way the people live. I will be comparing countries in 3 different areas of the world- Chile,  Australia, and The United States. All of these have different political, religious, and environmental standpoints.

Starting with economic statistics, America is definitely not one of the highest ranking country right now when it comes to employment rates. For instance, in Australia, you have a 38.7 more percent chance of being employed. Although, the U.S. is definitely not the worst country for it- Chileans have a 7.5 percent more chance of having no job. You also have a dramatically lower pay in Chile than America- $32,000 less- according to the  GDP. Also in Australia you would less money, but by a smaller 8,000 dollars.
 

Environmental  issues are a big part of today, so it would be important to mention the footprints that each country leave. Chile uses 73.68% less oil and 72.6% less electricity, whether it be because of the want for a better Earth or just a lack of the sources, it still makes for a healthier planet and self. In Australia, they too use less electricity and oil, but a greater amount than Chile.

Lastly, the life facts. In Australia, there is a smaller chance of dying in infancy and the average lifespan is longer. It extends by almost 4 years! Sadly, in Chile, you have a higher chance of dying in infancy and a slightly shorter average life span.

So, if given the chance, I would choose to move to Australia, not only because it is my dream vacation spot, but because most of the statistics are better. Although I might be making less money, I would at least have a higher chance of being employed at all! Out of these countries,  I think Australia is the ideal location for a great lifestyle.

Open Air

Author’s note: This poem is about how life can get very hard at times, but you have to always remember the good times you’ve had and learn to let go and enjoy the moment. I chose this topic because it seems like a lot lately, my life has been very hectic. The poem is formed after Edgar Allan Poe’s “Annabel Lee” . The first poem is "Annabel Lee" and the second is my poem, "Open Air". I mostly tried to copy the repetition and rhyming patterns.

Annabel Lee

It was many and many a year ago,
   In a kingdom by the sea,
That a maiden there lived whom you may know
   By the name of Annabel Lee;
And this maiden she lived with no other thought
   Than to love and be loved by me.

I was a child and she was a child,
   In this kingdom by the sea:
But we loved with a love that was more than love--
   I and my Annabel Lee;
With a love that the winged seraphs of heaven
   Coveted her and me.

And this was the reason that, long ago,
   In this kingdom by the sea,
A wind blew out of a cloud, chilling
   My beautiful Annabel Lee;
So that her highborn kinsman came
   And bore her away from me,
To shut her up in a sepulcher
   In this kingdom by the sea.

The angels, not half so happy in heaven,
   Went envying her and me--
Yes!--that was the reason (as all men know,
   In this kingdom by the sea)
That the wind came out of the cloud by night,
   Chilling and killing my Annabel Lee.

But our love it was stronger by far than the love
   Of those who were older than we--
   Of many far wiser than we--
And neither the angels in heaven above,
   Nor the demons down under the sea,
Can ever dissever my soul from the soul
   Of the beautiful Annabel Lee:

For the moon never beams, without bringing me dreams
   Of the beautiful Annabel Lee;
And the stars never rise, but I feel the bright eyes
   Of the beautiful Annabel Lee;
And so, all the night-tide, I lie down by the side
Of my darling--my darling--my life and my bride,
   In her sepulcher there by the sea,
   In her tomb by the sounding sea.

 Open Air

In times like these,

When life never seems fair,

I like to appreciate

moments in the open air.

And I feel as if

Success in this world is rare.

When I mess up,

And life doesn’t seem fair,

I want to remember

Moments in the open air

And I just let go

Of the reputation that I wear.

On those dark, lonely days,

The times life isn't fair,

I' ll do my best to hold onto

Those moments in the open air

Even when all the people around me,

Don’t have the time to care.

So I'll feel the wind on my back

Enjoy moments in the open air

I'll feel the sun shining on my skin

And savor the open air.

I will love the life I am living

Through all the pain it's giving

Even if life never seems  fair;

Life isn't worth living if its all fair.