The Heart Of Darkness (CRR)

Currently we are reading "The Heart Of Darkness" in class. I have no idea how to feel about the book. I know that so far Marlow is not my favorite character even though is the main character of the story. Right now he is telling us about his arrival to the Congo. I think what's really making me dislike him is the way that he describes the criminals that are being held captive in the Congo. I do understand that the story takes place during slavery times. But it still bothers me how he speaks about them and makes them sound like animals. They are human beings just like him.

However that's not the only thing that bothers me about him. Another thing is his naivety towards the situation and his surroundings. He doesn't seem to question the big picture, he questions the little things like the holes that are dug in the ground at the most random locations. But he doesn't wonder about these "criminals" that are being held hostage on this island. And when he signed up for the voyage he didn't wonder about the males who never returned home. For an individual that was so eager to leave home he seemed to have no sense of caution. The way Marlow thinks just doesn't seem realistic or mature to me. It seems more like the mentality of a hyperactive child trying to escape home or looking for a home. With no worries no cares and no definite plans in mind. Just going wherever life takes him, without questioning the journey.

Idiots with Guns (SSR)

Two days ago an idiot with a gun went inside New Jersey State Plaza and fired a couple of rounds. Nobody was hurt inside the mall and the aggressors body was found a few miles away from the mall after the shooting. 

I get highly upset when I hear stories like these on the news. First off it makes me feel unsafe to be out in public and it makes me worry about my family and friends being out in public also. I should feel comfortable to leave my house and be out in the open. I shouldn't have to be stressing about a psycho popping up out of nowhere and attacking me. It is unfair that my life is put in danger simply because I step foot outside of my home. I shouldn't be afraid to do a little shopping just because any mentally unstable individual can easily get their hands on a gun.

This brings me to my second point: guns are so easily attainable now a days. The government is so stingy with offering free medical assistance but guns are being sold to minors everyday. It's obvious that these guns are being sold on the streets. But what I'm saying is that at some point that gun was sold from a gun shop. It was sold to an untrustworthy individual that let that firearm make it to the streets and to the hands of another reckless human being. It isn't guns that kill people, people kill people.

It is the government's job and responsibility to protect its' citizens and make them feel safe. I can honestly say the US Government is NOT carrying out this responsibility to their fullest. Facing death should not be an every day part of life.