I'm not sure I agree with the fact that everyone has a little bit of racism in them like one of the comments said. I think that you think you can do more because you have more resources and perhaps time to do more. Does this really have to do with the race of someone or just the willpower that they possess? I think a lot of the reasons that certain people are able to help more is just because of the resources and place that they live in. Also although I hate to say this money is a huge factor. The more you have the more you can help. Maybe it is just that these people already have less money and resources than you so you have the advantage, not that it is a race issue.

That is really awesome how resilient these people are and how they have pulled together and made a community that they can survive and thrive in. Its so cool that many of the people can be optimistic even though at the end of the video the man said that these people may be living in tents for years to come. It also shows strong work ethic and family values because of the families pulling together, like in the salons. Even in these situations people want to go on with the lives that they lived before and the simple pleasures that they used to have. I think it is important for them to do this because it shows that they will not give up and even in disaster they can make the best out of the situations they are in.

I'm really glad that I read this letter and heard what this man had to say. I feel like I have had little sympathy for murderers but I really have never asked them their stories. Why they did the things they did? How they feel about and live with it everyday of the rest of their lives? How it is possible to know that they are never getting out of prison and being ok about it finally? It is just such a tough tough situation to be in. We always seem to think of people who took someone else's lives as incapable of feeling and being a human just like the rest of us (at least I have felt this way) but learning about these inmates has opened my close minded head on this topic.

It was really cool to see what this man spoke about. All the compassion that he sees everyday in a place where I didn't think compassion really existed. Usually when I watch TV and see the specials about inmates in prison the men they show are scary and angry. They have hate tattoos all over their bodies and speak about hate and destruction. I think that the media has a huge influence in this sort of stereotype of the typical inmate. Why can't we see the humanity in a convicted murderer? They made a horrible horrible mistake in their lives and now we cannot forgive them? It just isn't that black and white and I am glad that I am seeing the gray area.

I think something that we need to realize is that the human species is a very complex group. We have deep emotions, highs and lows, and we surprise ourselves and others everyday. How two men who hate each other can come together in a time of need is amazing. I'm not in prison and I don't know how I would react in the same situation. Although I don't really feel deep hate for anyone but there are plenty of people that I dislike and I just hope I could show that kind of support when needed.

There is a bigger world out there then I see in my day to day life. It is interesting to really see how these men feel on the inside. The remorse that they feel and the things that they are trying to do to help the world. He said that he tries to help communities on the outside and I think that it is so cool. He could just close himself off to the world and hate everyone in it that put him in this place. He is taking a different route in his life and he is making the best of the situation that he got himself in. It is hard not to feel for these men that are stuck in here, even though they have done things that they may deserve this fate. It is hard to not "feel some kind of way about it."

I agree blogging has really become a huge and important way to express ourselves in a bit more of a relaxed way. We can say whatever comes to our mind and a lot of times it can be positive and enlightening. Sometimes, like you said, it can just be a good way to take our minds off of other things, reading humorous posts.

I think that Tiger should have addressed it earlier. He is a public figure...and if he likes it or not he hurt a lot of people because of his "sex addiction" which I think is just an excuse.

haha I totally agree with you. Originality and fun are very important in life....what is the point of a boring unoriginal existence?

i agree with the Janet Cook story...there is no pressure strong enough to fabricate a story for the news.

I agree with what you said about it being refreshing to see someone who actually just writes because they love to do it. I also really enjoyed the John Grogan lecture. He seemed like a really genuine person and I really respected him as a writer.

I think that the part about the anonymous source is important because if someone is really in serious danger than you don't want them to put them in danger just so that you can get the story that you want.

I agree with the idea about publishing the 9/11 picture. I really do think it was an important picture to show the public and the idea that we can never forget what happened on that day. Also the idea that people would rather fall to their death than stay in the building is saying something about the horror of the day.