Confucious Says: Words are the Voices of the Heart

Man, I love words.
Good thing I suppose, given my chosen and hard-fought-for occupation. Every time I sit down at a keyboard or have a pen poised over a blank sheet of paper, I feel overwhelmed with excitement, with possibility, with anticipation. With a few key strokes or swipes of a pen, you can find the right combination of words that can make someone LOVE you.
Conversely, you can break a heart, manipulate a mind or sever an allegiance…all with those same strokes or swipes. Think about that. Legends are immortalized because of words. Nations go to war over words. Couples are united in matrimony with words. Hearts and lives are shattered due to words. The power they wield is, in a word, awesome.

“Every time I come around the corner and see your car in the driveway I get sick to my stomach.”
I sat on the couch during yet another face-off with my mother when she let fly with that condemnation, effectively shattering any sense of comfort and belonging I may have been clinging to at the time. I was 17. I’m 40 now, and I can hear those words in my ear as clear as if they were uttered 10 minutes ago. I can’t say that it was those exact words that led to the eventual, unsurprising demise of my relationship with my mother, but I know it was certainly a huge chunk out of the already crumbling foundation. It stands, to this day, as one of the worst things anyone has ever said to me.

But, as I said, words are powerful. They can also have healing properties. Let me give you a scenario. I was visiting a friend at what is now, TCNJ (then it was Trenton State College). My boyfriend of about a year had just broken up with me, quite unceremoniously, at a party the night before. I was feeling kind of blue, just sort of moping around the campus waiting for my friend’s class to end. While aimlessly wandering through the bookstore, I saw an old friend from high school, a guy who graduated a year ahead of me. We got to talking about life after high school and what my plans were and all of that idle small talk, when he looked me right in the eye and said, “Well Cas, the thing is, I hear you’re an excellent writer.”
What followed is not a Cinderella-like ending of fairytale romance (this is me we’re talking about) between Matt Opacity (that was his name) and me,your D &D teacher. We didn’t fall into each other’s arms and swear undying love—it wasn’t even a romantic moment. He wasn’t trying out a brand-new pick-up line or even trying to soothe my bruised, dumped ego. It was a simple declaration that I am quite sure he would never even remember saying all these years later. But it’s impact on me was and is undeniable. Because of him, when I went back home, the first place I looked for a summer job was at a local newspaper called The Sandpaper. I landed a job as a stringer and at the tender age of 18, got my first ever piece of writing published. I even got paid for it! (It was an article on Tonkinese cats—don’t laugh!) Such is the power and the beauty of words.

So, that is the focus of this week’s blog question. I would like you to think about conversations you have had, arguments in which you’ve been embroiled, moments of bliss you have experienced. They all have one thing in common—WORDS.
The Yin: What is the worst thing anyone has ever said to you? Why do you think it was the worst thing? How did it make you feel?

And for the Yang (because there always is one): What was the best compliment you have ever received?
Who said it? Why do you think was it was the best compliment?

And finally, perhaps even MOST IMPORTANTLY, reflect on the fact that you highlighted these two particular comments. What do you think your choices of what was the best and worst thing anyone could say about/to you reveal about your you and your personality? Much to think about, I know. Don’t delay!!
 (500 words/80pts)

Girls Rule, Boys Drool!!! Errrr...right??

Since the beginning of time, men and women have had their own separate place in societal structure.  Sure, over the course of time, certain lines have been blurred--women have become construction workers, electricians, CEOs of huge corporations (is this true? Research time), war "heros," and even made a run for the Presidency. Stay-at-home moms and housewives are few and far between, due in large part to our economic system in America.  But even at that, in any suburban house on any given night, you can listen in on a conversation between a parental figure and a would-be daughter:

"You are NOT wearing that to school young lady!"
"Go into the kitchen and help your mother with dinner, Sally, Annie, (Insert girl's name here)"
"Oh sweetie, if you want to fit into your prom dress, you probably shouldn't eat that."
"Dating is a privilege not a right and you don't have any rights!"

Now, these are all made up of course, but they tend to follow a certain pattern of remarks that are made to girls over the course of their lives.  I am sure there are ones that pertain to boys too, however, I am somewhat limited due to my own gender and the lack of experience in growing up with any boys in my home. So, input from my guys in class would be much appreciated, and YES, that means boys, you do need to do a little extra work this week.  Sorry. Now, stop whining.

The question this week, D&Ders, is a simple one, but one that has plagued civilization since the dawn of time (well, maybe not THAT long) and that is this: Who has it easier in life, men or women?  Now the rules are as they always are here--always the WHY? But, beyond that, I would like you to give me at least 3 examples that support your answer and ones that you can speak intelligently about because you have experience.
Think about your life on all levels, home, school, social.  Consider all the interactions between men and women that you have seen or been a part of and if at all possible, try to view it from a variety of perspectives. It will be hard, but try not to let emotions play into your answer--if you have a positive/negative energy or memory or experience with one sex or the other, don't let that color the way you respond here. 
400 words/50pts

Who Are You?

Throughout the next 179 days, 1st period Debate and Discussion will get to know each other pretty well.  Our likes, dislikes, beliefs, values and morals will all come into play during the course of our discussions.  We will be talking about many things related to our internal moral code, as well as listening to other people's ideas and observations. 
To that end, please answer the following questions as completely and concisely as you can. You must be honest and forthright, and at no time should you ever be scared, embarassed or worried about your answers here.

1.  Were you raised with religion?  How prominently did it figure in your life?
2.  If you have kids, will you raise them to be whatever religion you are? Why or why not?
3.  Do you think that there is a divisive line between right and wrong? Is there ever a grey area? If so, when? If not, why?
4. Does the Constitution and the legal system work in America? Why or why not?
5. How do you "learn" to be good or bad? Are you born one way or another?

Answer all 5 questions completely, making sure to answer each part of the question. Your answers should be written in complete sentences, punctuated correctly and supported with details.

25pts