Blog date 6-3-2010

WEBSITE: http://singularityhub.com/2010/06/02/autonomous-quad-copter-flies-through-windows-and-kicks-ass-video/

RESPONSE: The new technology of UAV's have been revealed. Its called the Quadrotor. Created by GRASP, a program at the University of Pennsylvania. The drone is fully computerized and capable of flying by itself with no human interference. What is so special about the Quadrotor is that it can fly through the smallest spaces going at a fast speed. It can fly at various angles and speeds as well. It can do flips, out smart other UAV's and even stick to velcro walls.

The technology of UAV's is drasticaly changing thanks to the new sciences coming out every day.

outside reading article 5-27-10

WEBSITE: http://www.cnn.com/2010/BUSINESS/05/28/apple.ipad.debut.ft/index.html?eref=rss_topstories&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+rss%2Fcnn_topstories+%28RSS%3A+Top+Stories%29&utm_content=Google+Reader

RESPONCE: The I-pad has revolutionized the world of computers. Thanks to Steve Jobs, we have a great new technology. When the I-pad first came out people flocked to every apple store in the world. A lot of people thought that the I-pad would not have a lot of competition, but this Tuesday, Dell came out with their version of the I-pad, the Streak tablet computer. It can act as a computer but also as a phone. When apple launched the I-pad, it became the worlds biggest technology in the market.

Outside reading article 5- 24-2010

BOOK: American Born Chinese

Reflection: American Born Chinese is a book about an american boy borned in San Fransico. His parents are Chinese, so people think he moved from China. While at this school, he meets a kid that moved from Tai-Wan that went through the same struggles as he did when he first started at the new school.

outside reading article 5-13-10

WEBSITE: http://www.technewsdaily.com/iron-man-technology-has-real-life-analogs-0517/

RESPONSE: People may think that Iron Man and Iron Man 2 are far fetched fantasies. But really these technology's that Stark Industries creates are not that far off. When Stark creates a new element called "vibranium", he uses it to replace the old element that kept him alive called "palladium". Some people are stuned by this idea, but actually scientists are creating new elements today. Although the new elements that scientists create today are unstable, unlike Stakrs element of "vibranium".

As for the weaponry of Iron Man, the second movie has a villian named Ivan Varko. He uses these plasma whips that can cut through anything. Scientists are actually creating something a lot like the plasma whips that Ivan uses in Iron Man 2. It's called "StunStrike". It fires a bolt lightning which creates an electrical charge though plasma.

Iron Man and Stark Technology ideas are not that far off as we think. These new ideas from Iron Man movies are now becoming close to reality.

Carter Finally Get It 5-7-2010

At the very end of Carter Finally Gets It, there is a quote that i ponder about and that quote is "We may have cruised out to the lakein about an hour, just in time for the sunset....Either scenario could have happened. Anything is possible." This quote changed the image of the book for me. In the beginning of the book, I thought this fictional characters story actually happened. But this quote changed my thoughts as well. I dont think that this really happened to Carter because this quote is saying anything that happened between Carter and Abby could have happened, it never says it does.

Carter Finally Gets It- 4-23-10

In the beginning of the book we meet 2 of the main characters. The first main character is William Carter. He's 14 and almost in high school. Everyone calls him Carter. A few things about Carter are that he has a major stuttering problem around boobs and bellybuttons. Also Carter has problems with ADD which causes him to say the wrong things in bad situations. Carter is also a virgin because he has a stuttering problem when he's around girls. As you read the book, Carter Finally Gets It, you follow Carter and his quest to get a girlfriend, survive high school, and also not surprisingly, have sex. Although Carter has all of these problems, he somehow manages to get a girlfriend, but only for a short while. Find out if Carter keeps his girlfriend in, Carter Finally Gets It.

outside reading article 4-9-2010

WEBSITE:
http://www.marinecorpstimes.com/news/2010/04/gns_mexico_training_drug_war_040610/

RESPONSE:
I read an article about how the US military is helping with Mexico's drug cartels. The reason for the US helping Mexico's armed forces is to better equip Mexico for the future. The US military has mastered destroying insurgentcamps, and by helping Mexico with the drug cartels, we strengthen our relationship with Mexico. Also Mexico needs to be more respnsive and take stronger action towards drug cartels, thats what the US did after September 11, 2001. If we keep supporting Mexico in their fight against drig cartels, our relationship will be better then ever.

outside reading article 3-26-2010

WEBSITE:

http://www.lmlcsteam.com/?page_id=7

RESPONSE:

A new type of threat to the country is littoral threats. Littoral means close to shore threats. The navy is currently creating a new type of navy ship called Littoral Combat Ships (LCS). These ships have a wide range of maneuveerability. This is need to pick up troops fast and to also deploy them as well. The ship is capable of changing it's weapons to support the various type's of missions it goes on. As for fast deployment of troops, the LCS has the capability of launching on the stern or side of the LCS.

Outside reading article 3-19-2010

WEBSITE:
http://military.discovery.com/technology/robots/medium-ugv/mule.html

REVIEW:
The next generation of military technology has come even farther than unmaned airial vehicles. Now there is unmaned ground vehicles. One in particular is called the MULE. Each wheel is independant of all the other wheels. The range of the wheel is a total 360 degree rotation. The vehicle is capable of carrying people, weapons, and ammunition. The newest generation is now hybrid powered. The UGV is capable of semi-autonamous navigation system. As for sight for the MULE, it has thermal cameras for night and day, infrared cameras, and a chemical biological sensor. MULES are smart enough to make the best decision, it can even communicate with other unmaned vehicles in the field. As for defensive capabilities, the MULE can be equiped with a wide veriety of weapons, anti air guns, and even guidence sensors that can tell the MULE where to fire at.

The MULE has revolutionized 21st centery warfare. The troops will be more safe now because we can send a robot in a area to dangerous for humans. I believe that by the end of my life time, we wont have any humans fighting for us. It will all be robots making their own decision on what to do.

Outside reading 3-11-2010

WEBSITE:
http://www.boeing.com/rotorcraft/military/v22/index.htm

REVIEW:
The artilcle i read was about a V-22 Osprey. Although the Osprey has been out for a few years now, the tiltrotor aircraft has evolutionized aircraft technology today. What the Osprey offers is a 2-1 technology. The rotors can act like helicopter blades to take off and for landing. When the tiltrotors rotate forward the helicopter now becomes a plane, flying over 300 mph.

"Night Post"

Quote #1:

"'You mustn't rejoice too soon, my boy. There's selection here too. More often than outside. Germany doesn't need sick Jews. Germany doesn't need me. When the next transport comes, you'll have a new neighbor. So listen to me, and take my advice: get out of the hospital before the next selection!" (74).

This is important because if Elie had stayed in the hospital, at the time that the Germans believed that the allied foreces were invading, he would have been liberated within a few days.

This quote makes me heartbroken. Its sad to see that if he had stayed that he probably have been liberated along with his father. It was in this split second decision that it essentially cost him his father.

"I was thinking of this when I heard the sound of a violin. The sound of a violin, in this dark shed, where the dead were heaped on the living. What madman could be playing the violin here, at the brink of his own grave? Or was it really an hallucination? It must have been Juliek" (90).

This is important because Wiesel was trying to display that there was hope even in the middle of the hell that they were living. Despite the absolutely terrible abuse that they suffered at the hands of the SS, somebody was trying to retain their humanity.

This quote makes me feel that there must have been some sign of hope but it would be very difficult to see it from their position. It is also depressing because you don't know if its real or not.

"The hours went by. Our eyes were tired from staring at the horizon, waiting for the liberating train to appear. It arrived only very late that evening. An infinitely long train, composed of roofless cattle cars. The SS shoved us inside, a hundred per car" (97).

This is an important quote because it shows that they had a complete lack of freedom and that they were treated like cattle. Killed and moved according to the will of their captors.

This quote makes me feel incredibly sad that people that were no different than you, or me or the Germans were treated with such hatred. I couldn't believe that they were transported that way and that they were disposed of in large ovens. So incredibly terrible.

Journel Entry for Pages 98-115

QUOTE #1:

"The days resembled the nights, and the nights left in our souls dregs of their darkness" (100).

RESPONSE:

This quote is very meaningful to me because, it's saying that all the prisoners saw was only darkness even if the sun was shining on them. This made me feel sad because nobody has any hope of surviving anymore. Basically all the prisoners are saying they want to die.

QUOTE #2:

"Yet at the same time a thought came into my mind: If only I didn't find him! If only I were relieved of this responsibility, I could use all my strength to fight for my own survival, to take care only of myself...Instantly, I felt ashamed, ashamed of myself forever" (106).

RESPONSE:

Throughout this book you see many sides of Elie. In this quote it shows how he was becoming selfish but knew it was wrong. When I read this quote, I think of the "world" in the 21st century. I think this because as the world expands, each country is trying to expand itself, but yet at the same time, the world is slowly running out of resources.

QUOTE #3:

"No prayers were said over his tomb. No candle lit in his memory. His last word had been my name. He called out to me and I had not answered" (112).

RESPONSE:

Imagine the last words you ever heard from someone that you loved so much, was your name. Imagine the torture that you felt not answering back, that pain and guilt of someone that had helped you survive one of the most deadliest massacres on the face of the earth, is now dead, and you never said anything back. Out of all the quotes in this book, this one by far has the most impact on me today. I say this because what if you were in this situation, and you had the power to talk back to your father but chose not to. How would I feel in this situation? I would talk back, even if that's the last thing I ever say or do.

Outside Reading Article 3-5-10

WEBSITE:

http://www.airforce-technology.com/projects/x-45-ucav/
http://tech.military.com/equipment/view/88622/milstar-satellite-comm-system.html

REVIEW:

The new way of air to air combat has become so advanced that people won't even need to fly airplanes anymore. A new prototype for the U.S. Air Force is being currently being enhanced. The prototype is called X-45. The first prototype saw it's first test flight in May 2002. In February 2003, the program software for the automatic taxi ground system was completed. The X-45 is designed as a swept wing shape to make it more aerodynamic. As for defensive measure, the X-45 can be equipped with various weapons. Such weapons include precision guided munitions, 2,000 pound bombs, and other various weapon systems. The unmanned combat air vehicle (UCAV) ground control system was created by NASA. The X-45 uses a communications system called Milster Satellite communications link. This satellite system is resistant to nuclear warfare, also it's resistant to being jammed. It can be accessed through navy ships, piloted air vehicles, and land based communications. Currently there are 4 of these satellites in space right now, 3 more are to be deployed in space at a later time.

This new revolutionary airfare has given us a major technological advantage for the threats that are present in the 21st century. Who knows, maybe some day we'll be so advanced that we could have unmanned aerial flight squadrons, and maybe even have the planes refuel themselves without having any human contact what so ever.

Reading Pages 85-97

QUOTE #1:

"My father's presence was the only thing that stopped me. He was running next to me, out of breath, out of strength, desperate. I had no right to let myself die. What would he do without me? I was his sole support"(86-87).

RESPONSE:

This is what made Elie keep on moving. His dad was close to death, and without Elie, he would have for sure died. The only thing Elie had to live for was his father. This made me emotional because, I would have done every little thing I could to keep my father and myself alive, just like Elie tries to do.

QUOTE #2:

"We were stronger then than cold and hunger, stronger than the guns and the desire to die, doomed and rootless, nothing but numbers, we were the only men on earth"(87).

RESPONSE:

This shows you how much effort the prisoners at the concentration camps put forward. They all wanted one thing, and that was to survive as long as they could. When I read this quote, I imagine the sights and sounds of what it was like back then, dark, scary, not knowing if you'll even be alive the next minute. I don't know how the survivors got through it, to me those survivors should be recognized as hero's for going through what they did.

QUOTE #3:

"I saw myself in every stiffened corpse. Soon I wouldn't even be seeing them anymore; I would be one of them. A matter of hours"(89)

RESPONSE:

Elie has practically given up hope now. He is saying basically all he See's is hell around him. I would have said the same thing if I was looking at all those dead bodies. I would have gone insane if I had to see what Elie saw.

In Class Assignment Date: 3-4-2010

QUOTE #1:

"A few days passed. We were no longer thinking about the selection. We went to work as usual and loaded the heavy stones onto the freight cars. the rations had grown smaller; that was the only change" (73).

RESPONSE:

In this quote it shows me that the torturous that the prisoners lived was now normal to them. Everyone was used to the changes that was made to their environment. Nobody was really worried about the selection anymore. For me, I probably wouldn't be thinking about the selection a whole lot, because I have been so used to this rough life that I have been living.

Night Journal 4:

Quote #1:

"Blessed by God's name? Why, but why would I bless Him? Every fiber in me rebelled. Because He caused thousands of children to burn in His mass graves?" (67).

This is important because it shows that the Nazis were able to strip Elie of even his faith. Where only a few short months before, he had been studying the practice Kabaalah with Moishe the Beadle. To me, I wouldn't have any hope of survival anymore. If the Nazis ripped everything away from me, I wouldn't know what to do anymore.

Quote #2:

"But now, I no longer pleaded for anything. I was no longer able lament. On the contrary, I felt very strong. I was the accuser, God the accused" (68).

This is important because he had passed the point of desparation and began to find security in his non-belief. The camp had robbed him of one of his most cherished aspects of his personality. They began to rob him of being human. If I was Elie, I would have felt horrible if I had to go through what he did. Im surprised that Elie doesn't talk more about death, because I would've wanted death if I was him.

Quote #3:

"Were there still miracles on this earth? He was alive. He had passed the second selection" (76).

This is important because, despite Elie's fears that his father would be executed before his eyes, his father was able to make it through another vicious round of selection. I would've been scared to death to go through a selection proccess if I was alive back then.

DID THEY HAVE A CHANCE TO ESCAPE?

This post will study quotes that support that the Jews in Sighet had opportunities to avoid the torture to come.

Quote #1:

"The train did not move again. The afternoon went by slowly. Then the doors of the wagon slid open. Two men were given opportunity to fetch water" (27).

This is important because it appears that they did not have many men guarding their doors as they opened. This could have been an opportunity for those in the cattle car to escape.

Quote #2:

"Jews, listen to me! That's all I ask of you. No money. No pity. Just listen to me!' he kept shouting in synagogue" (7).

This is important because Moishe the Beadle had seen of the horrors to come and was trying desparately to warn the Jews of the danger. They simply didn't believe the terrible stories that he was telling.

Quote #3:

"Yes, we even doubted his resolve to exterminate us. Annihilate an entire people? Wipe out a population dispersed through so many nations? So many millions of people!" (8).

This is important because it is another example of a trusted source telling the Jews in Sighet that the German forces were invading. However, they doubted that the soldiers would ever reach their town.

Night Journal 3:

Reading Section 45-61:

Quote #1:

"Immeditely after our arrival, he had bread brought for them, some soup and margarine. (In fact, this affection was not entirely altruistic; there existed here a vertable traffic of children among homosexuals, I learned later)" (48)>

This is important because it shows just how far the victimization of the Jewish people went. The Nazi's were even willing to do such destructive things to children.

Quote #2:

"' You're lucky, son,' smiled Hans. 'You've landed in a good unit...'" (47).

This is important because it shows that even in, what could be considered the mouth of hell, humans are continually trying to make the best of every situation. It was important to them to retain some sense of hope.

Quote #3:

"But alas, Franek knew where to touch me, he knew my weak point. My father had never done military service, and he never succeeded in marching in step" (53).

This is important because the Nazis were able to systematically find ways to destroy hope. They were able to turn sons against fathers and destroy the bonds that family can create.

Quote on page 51

QUOTE "It was good to have a Jew as your leader. His name was Alphonse. A young man with a startlingly wizened face. He was totally devoted to defending "his" block. Whenever he could, he would "organize" a cauldron of soup for the young, for the weak, for all those who dreamed more of an extra portion of food than of liberty"(51).

REFLECTION: This quote is meaningful to me because it shows that the Jews still cared about eachother even if some were working for the Germans. It made me happy to see that there was this "sense of happiness" still inside of the Jews.