Wal-Mart DOn't Know

This article spoke about the problems caused by the retail giant called Wal-Mart. This store is finding a way to ruin our country, because their goal of low prices causes so many problems. Low prices for consumers require buying products at lower prices. COmpanies that sell to Wal-Mart now have to sell their product at lower prices in order to get it sold. WHen companies are making smaller profits, they have to start cutting the business in other parts. This leads to outsourcing and the loss of American jobs. A clothing company that supplies Walmart with half of their clothes had to fire half of its workers and shut down most of its factories. I see that the effort for Wal-mart to lower prices is an evil that American consumers have put onto the store. Because we consume so much, and a large majority shops at Wal-mart, we now have this debacle of what do for American jobs. Wal-mart makes more money than any other store and has taken over the American market. It is said that 12% of our economy is from Wal-Mart. I really see this article as an eye opener to the horrors of mega-corporations. These industries ruled by few companies are at risk to shutting down how our whole country works. The only way to go back is to change, which is nearly impossible. Walmart would need to either raise prices, which would lose business, or spend more on products, which would lower their profits. This industrial giant is slowly sucking jobs from our country, but people don’t even care because they sell a gallon of pickles for three dollars.

Independent Reading Reflection

I think this book was great. I really liked this book because it was really descriptive and put a good mental picture of what was happening in the readers head. I think Remarque did a wonderful job of capturing World War I and the 'Lost' generation. I do think some parts were kind of slow, especially when the main protagonist moved farther away from the Front, but this was necessary to show how war changes depending on where the fighters were. The soldiers' plight is a deep message and inspires readers to be thankful. I really am happy that I will never go through the agony that these brave men faced. The unfortunate troubles of war and the violence that it entails will stick with these men forever. I suggest giving this book to anyone who enjoys reading about history and horrible circumstance. This book would be a good read especially if you like A Farewell to Arms, For Whom Bell Tolls, and Johnny Got his Gun. They all deal with the struggles of individuals who fight our war. An issue between war-makers and war-fighters is always an informative topic, because people who cause wars never fight them. They only sit back and watch as catastrophe occurs and more young men have to face the terror of death. The book leaves you with suspense as you don't know who will die next, but also desensitizes you to death, just as the soldiers were during the fight. If you like reading of graphic pain, this book will definitely be enjoyable.

Independent Reading Blog Prompt 8

I feel that the theme of this book is that WWI especially effected the younger men and made the 'lost'. This whole idea of a lost generation never made sense to me when we learned about it in school. I know that there were the lost writes such as Earnest Hemingway, but I didn't get what 'lost' meant particularly. Erich Remarque describes how men who were older could go back home and return to their lives. They had something familiar and stable to grasp onto while in the War and didn't let the fighting get to them. These young men didn't. They just received basic schooling and living experience as children, and then right away were forced into witnessing the worst things in perhaps all of history. How were they supposed to go home and think of life as anything but just explosions and survival. They had no foundation, except fierce fighting and constant misery. There is no normal to return to after the war. Many soldiers were traumatized by the fighting and will never assimilate into normal society. Paul realizes this and wonders at what cost are men willing to fight for reasons they aren't even aware. The wars are made in rooms full of rich men who, but they're fought by poor boys who are deeply scarred for life.

Independent Reading Blog Prompt 11

In the intense scene I have just read, there was a particularly long sequence of war and bombardment. Ericha Remarque did a great job of making this war seem like the dark, cold, and lonely fight that it was. The brutal and relentless falling of shells bombings was talked about as if it never stopped, and when he didn't remark on the bombings, the reader still envisions the pounding of explosions in the background. The purpose of Remarque's style is to make us no how desensitized the soldiers had become and how the war never stops. He also makes great description of the first battle between men. He describes the French soldiers as nothing more than an object of Death. This makes us see how other people appeared to soldiers in war, and how in wartime, feelings are only comprised of animosity and despair. He talks about Chance as though it were a tangible thing that always looms overhead and can change any minute. It is what keeps soldiers alive, and makes others die.

Independent Reading Blog Prompt 6

A prediction about my book is that I think one of Paul's friend's from school is going to die. Every page into the book gets more and more violent when discussing the issue of the front and the bombardments that torment them every night. It amazes me how no one who is friends with Paul has died yet. They only talked a bit about a guy at the beginning who they new from school and how he had to tragically suffer. I figure that Tjaden or Katzinscky is going to to be the one to go. Albert is really the closest with Paul and probably will be the first to go. Books tend to shock people and make them sad, which is probably why they'll make our protagonist's best friend die first. This will help enforce the true horror of war.

Independent Reading Blog Prompt 13

If I had to comment on the actions made by the characters of the book, I would probably give advice to the drill sergeant, Himmelstoss. He was too hard on the soldiers during training camp, which eventually led to his brutal beat down. I would tell Himmelstoss to be stern and continue rigorous training, but not to take advantage to the point of cruelty. For instance, his punishment to the soldiers who wet there beds was unusually mean and only caused pain for them. They could not help the fact that they urinated while sleeping, but the drill sergeant made them sleep underneath each other, which made them sleep on the floor and catch sicknesses. It was unnecessary to demean the people who were risking their lives to protect their country. Basic training is meant to help keep themselves safe and give skills to fight for the nation, not to break uncontrollable habits such as this. Himmelstoss should've learned of the harm he was causing, but instead he had to face the painful retaliation of his students. They all decided to join in jumping him while walking back from the bar. This was the unfortunate result of his cruel ways, which is why I would tell him to just lighten up a bit and do his job as an instructor and not a tyrant.

Blog Post #1: Prompt 5

I have just finished reading chapter 2 in the novel, and I have already been devastated by the struggles faced by these soldiers. Paul has just watched Franz Kemmerich die in the infirmary, but the agony in his death was extremely moving. I was saddened by the way in which Erich Maria Remarque describes the intimate moment between the boys. The fact that these so called 'men' are really just young boys is stressed greatly in this chapter. They're only 2 years older than I, but have to deal with death all around them. Paul watches as a school mate's life ends without anyone else who really cares. The doctors aren't neglecting Franz, but the fact that World War I killed so many men desensitizes them and really makes his death seem like he was all alone. Muller's inquiries into Franz's boots only make the horror of this desensitization reinforced and leaves me with a feeling a thankfulness, because I never have to face these types of hardship.