Persuading my little brother to read: The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie

            Hey lil Bro! How you doin? I know that times are tough and there is many things going through your mind. I have something that will change your views on everything no matter how much you dislike or like things. You want to know what this it? Well it all starts off with a kid just like you! Except this guy was an American Indian and he had to live a certain way just to classify under his culture. Sadly, the way its view is not same way that people view us today.  I know you like to draw kiddo that’s why this is the perfect book for you! It has a ton of drawings! Yes every page bro or at least every other page. I want you to know that the character in this book is as well in your shoes. I know for a fact that this will change your way of looking at yourself and being a more confident with everything you do.

            You must be asking, why is my brother telling me about a book? I’m telling you because I care about you and when I purchased this book I assumed that this book would be very boring. It really grabs your attention and it may even save you from your day-to-day sadness.  These pictures will all make sense once you start reading the book! I know that you like to skim through the whole book thinking you can get away with it. This time trust me when I say it’s a funny book, I guarantee it will make you smile and I love when I see you smile. You wont regret picking up this book, you know what? You can even take mine, but promise you’ll give it back all right? Please don’t try and set the book fire this time okay?

Current State of Affairs for Native Americans

"History has shown that failure to include the voices of tribal officials in formulating policy affecting their communities has all too often led to undesirable and, at times, devastating and tragic results. By contrast, meaningful dialogue between Federal officials and tribal officials has greatly improved Federal policy toward Indian tribes. Consultation is a critical ingredient of a sound and productive Federal-tribal relationship."

-President Obama

• Obama has said this to acknowlegde the devistation and horrific things that Americans have done to Native Americans in the past. Now that it is the present moment he has decided to compromise by improving our policy. 

“Part of the reason tribal leaders can get away with agreeing to these arguably unfair deals is that there is “limited transparency into tribal government affairs, no public access to documents, no annual reporting on accounts, and limited communication about what tribal council members discuss in their meetings.”

-Katie Rucke

• Even though we have unfair deals many Native American tribe Leaders still accept it because of limited ability into affairs as far as veteran money, which include not having access to their documents, reports and commuications.

Source(s):

1. http://www.commerce.gov/office-secretary/native-american-affairs
2. http://www.mintpressnews.com/historic-preservation-grant-given-native-americans/176833/

My Reponse to "Obama's State of The Union Speech"

            In my response to Obama's State of The Union Speech I can say that it was very well said. I noticed how he spoke upon all the important topics and problems America faces today which include : immigration, healthcare, unemployment and many more. One of the things that stood out to me was that Obama would " move forward with Congress or not" he's basically stating that he is trying to do what he wants without having to go through the hassle of waiting for an action to approved. It also shows that he is trying to roughshod all of this just so that he can make this a better country as far as financially and mentally better. Although we live in this society of trying to be the best just to support little things such as putting food on the table or paying rent for a house. I think that some people dont care for politics and some do. For the people that do care about politcs; Obama moving forward without and consent of other potilical views it may be great for a short amount of time but, in the long run it might hurt us. I believe its a political move for Obama to make this speech to set the mentality for Americans that we wont submerge that he will make changes and we shall stay afloat.

Different Links for Obama's State of The Union Speech

1. http://www.cnn.com/2014/01/28/politics/2014-state-of-the-union/index.html

2. http://www.nytimes.com/2014/01/29/us/politics/state-of-the-union-address-text.html?_r=0

3. http://www.cbsnews.com/news/obamas-2014-state-of-the-union-address-full-text/

4. http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/full-text-of-obamas-2014-state-of-the-union-address/2014/01/28/e0c93358-887f-11e3-a5bd-844629433ba3_story.html

5. http://www.npr.org/blogs/itsallpolitics/2014/01/28/267187415/5-things-to-expect-in-obamas-state-of-the-union-address

6. http://www.kansascity.com/2014/01/28/4782698/excerpts-of-obamas-state-of-the.html

7. http://blogs.wsj.com/washwire/2014/01/28/full-text-of-president-obamas-2014-state-of-the-union-address/

8. http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2014/01/28/267858893/live-blog-president-obamas-state-of-union-address

9. http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation-now/2014/01/26/obama-state-of-the-union/4912395/

10. http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/01/28/usa-obama-speech-highlights-idUSL2N0L224K20140128

  I am Aaron Mercado, 19 and Filipinom born and raised in California. I was born differently than
other babies. I was born in a Hit-and-run car accident at 3 lbs 1 ounce, to be exact its the size of both
your hands put together. I developed Asthma and a not fully grown ear drum which explains why i
have scars behind my ear is because I recently underwent surgery about  a couple weeks ago. I am fine
now but working towards being able to play contact sports. This is going to be my first blog in a while.
I've tried to do these blogs before but most of the time they never worked out due to me being busy
with life. I am another student trying to graduate college but not only for me but for my parents. All my
life I've wanted to just make my parents proud and graduating college i know for sure that it will bring
my parents much joy. For some good irrelevant news is i finally got my permit to drive so I've been
driving often. My parents actually had no hope for me to drive and now that i have passed this Permit t
test i can finally take the Behind-The wheel driving test.
 I am in this class because last semester I took ENG 101A and I wanted a challenge to see how I
would do in ENG102 . I am here to learn and succeed in English, I'm pretty good at English but
sometimes my grammer can sure mess me up. I am willing to work my hardest to get up to college
level English. Also , I'm prepared to learn anything that you teach or throw my way. I know it won't be
easy to obtain a good grade becuase i can be at times timid and lazy but one of the things i work
toward this year is to procrastinate less. I feel like often everyone does but to a certain extent.
 I can say that I am passionate about many things but one of the many is making people happy and
being able to change ones day is more than enough. I am passionate about food, family, baskeball and
many more. There is no specific thing I can be super passionate on. I put a lot of time into taking care
 of family and taking pictures of food. It has grown from a regular thing to a habit, that before anyone
 eats i have to catch a picture as lame is may seem i dont know I'm just very good at taking some high
def food pictures.. I love food ,friends, family and of course god. I think If I didnt have any family I'd be stuck, lost and sad, I wouldn't know what or where to go. I've had family support throughout all my life which probably explains to why I am such a family man.