Revised Letter

November 15, 2013

 

Dear Mr. Officer, 

       The declared you proposed on the radio was due to identify the most violent gang members and offer services and training for jobs however if they don’t accept the offer they would get the stick. In order to carry on this action I would first recommend to truly think what should be done instead of rushing through this process. There’s three qualities to obtained in this process is persistent, compassion, and nonjudgmental. I know its a duty to accomplish this but why cant it be a goal to achieve and better off our country.

The offer you propose reminds me of Gregory Boyle who is a Jesuit priest and the founder and executive director of Homeboy Industries. He has run Homeboy Industries more than twenty years, a gang intervention program located in Los Angelo’s the gang capital of the world. The Homeboy Industries is a youth program following the work of the Christian base communities at Dolores Mission Church. This program is targeted to assist gang members such as educational classes, employment services, mental health counseling and legal services.

  In his book Tattoos on the Heart he tells stories of gang members he got to befriend with and had a chance to have a relationship of friendship and love. Gregory Boyle had these qualities persistent, compassion and nonjudgmental and more however Boyle was filled with compassion he gave love to all the gang members he met in Homeboy Industries. No matter what you have done he would open up his arms and heart and give you the opportunity to seek better for yourself in the future. Boyle also didn’t tag them as “gang members” he seen them as humans that went through the wrong path and his passion is to help them discover there true path in life. 
 
 Although he also seen violence, corruption, and deaths he still had hope in improving their lives for a better and brighter one. This is known as persistent in worst situation he still believes and doesn’t give up. Of course he lets them come to him when they’re ready to change or he offers them support by Dolores Mission Church.  In the book Tattoos on the heart “Marinate in the God who is always greater than our tiny conception, the God who loves without measure and without regret “ Boyle Marinates in God allowing god to give him strength and compassion towards others because God loves us no matter who we are as humans.

If or not believe in God there’s no reason to ignore that we need to have compassion towards others allowing us to support others with love and not a “duty” work. We all are humans no matter our background, race, or sex. God send us to this world to love why do we see violence and hatred? Well we as humans allow evil to take over are souls and be corrupted by our environment and in order to change our self’s we need to have compassion in us.

In conclusion I advised to spend those $10 million dollars wisely such as I said in this letter. Let’s go in George Boyle path and follow his courageous actions. I only ask for compassion and in compassion there's answer for our questions. what's there's to loose if we allow of self's to give love unconditionally like God who gives us love and doesn't forget us, were the ones who forget him.

 

Sincerely

Maria Villalobos

Revised Essay 1: God

In the book, Tattoos on the heart Boyles themes are composed of compassion, disgrace, slow work and kinship.  Each theme has stories of gang members from the "gang capital" of Los Angeles. Throughout each theme he interprets god as being compassion and finding god through disgrace known as “shame”. As well as the process of opening up to god will take slow work and hope. God gives unconditionally love but were the ones who need to accept his love and through the acceptance we go through paths in our life's to challenge our love for him.  

Boyle intercepts God as compassion, he gives us love unconditionally. According to Tattoos on the heart "God is compassionate, loving kindness. All we're asked to do is to be in the world who God is. certainly compassion was the wallpaper of Jesus soul, the contour of his heart, it was who he was."(62) This world is under God and his only desire is us to be full of compassion and kindness towards each other. However most of us can't even accomplish his only desire he ask from us. In this world there's so much corruption and violence as well as poverty that we as humans failed to accomplish god desire. The world of God was turned into a wild jungle that it left us to find our paths in our life's to find the true meaning of God nation and to truly accomplished this quest is by discovering on our own.
If we allow others to discover for us were just being control to believe. Some of us are ignorant to believe that some religions use “God” to fear and control its daughters and sons. When in reality is our own decision to believe that were worthy of god love. An Example can be Caesar he learn how to feel worthy of god love by accepting Boyle as a father and him as his son. Caesar discovered that he is a son worth having as long with accepting god’s love. Caesar story shows how we go through paths known as "experiences" in our lives to accept god loves. Even though god gives his love, were the ones that are in charge of accepting the love he gives and no matter our situation we would love him back. 
According to Tattoos on the heart “we all belong to ourselves the one who created us, each other. We are all equal and we are all deserving of compassionate care within a community-a kinship. Boyle illustrates that god loves us no matter our situation and our guilt. All of us deserve to be love by him and others by creating a community through compassion. Another theme that Boyles reveals is Disgrace, Boyle interprets Carmen story on how she is a heroin addict, a gang member, and a fighter. Carmen admits to Boyle that she’s a disgrace. Carmen story shows how disgrace can lead with guilt and feeling bad about our actions and shame on our self’s however through that process we’re driven to discover god through our own guilt and accept that anyone no matter what’s our actions and shames we deserve to feel the worthy of god’s love.  One story in Tattoos on the heart, Pedro we understand that patience allow us to rescue someone from the darkness. This story illustrates how disgrace and patience can rescue you’re self from your own darkness that you create. Most of us are afraid of the world but we don’t stop to think that were afraid of the shadows that we create our self’s.

Revised Group Government Shutdown Essay : Amada Zuppo & Maria Villalobos

Trust and honesty are often percieved as the most important ingredient in any kind of relationship. This is also true regarding the relationship between a country's citizens and their leaders in government. On Monday September 30, 2013, The American government let down it's people by declaring a Government Shutdown. Because the Republican Party in Congress could not compromise on a budget to allow for the Affordable Care Act (Obama Care), they declared shutdown on federally controlled agencies, businesses, and national parks. Affecting roughly 700,000 jobs and employees in the process. Through this government shutdown, it has been revealed to us that most of those who are in office such as the Republican and Democratic party  have objectives that are self-serving and have little regard or care for the actual well being of the American people. Therefore, putting the nation's ideals, credability, and the overall livelihood of American citizens at stake.

 

Dating back to the founding of the US, our leaders have always taken pride that the United States has principles and moral values that support "doing the right thing". If there has ever been an injustice, here or elsewhere in the world, the US has most times adressed it and tried to put an end to it. For example, Slavery. Abraham Lincloln fought to the nail to abolish slavery in America in the 1800's. President Lincoln valued all American citizens regardless of race and background, and knew to do what was ethically right, even if it meant going against half the country who had opposing views. The reason I bring this up is to show how far our ideals have fallen. The government shutdown perfectly depicts just what the true agendas of the politians in our government really are; themselves. Republicans have been against the Affordable Care Act since the beginning, and just when the act was starting to take effect, they were willing to do anything to delay or even stop it. The reason congress could not agree to a budget was because Republicans in the House wanted to de-fund the new law's critical aspects and to try to block any further provisions to keep act from going into effect. As said on CNN news: "Republicans in the House of Representatives refused to fund the government unless we defunded or dismantled the Affordable Care Act." The real motives behind this decision is still debatable, however, from what I can gather, there must be some sort of underlying reason that in some way serves them, in order to not to want to pass a bill in which millions of working Americans would finally be able to afford health care. If our politians really cared about the citizens they supposedly represent, why would they oppose such a law, especially at the expense of it's citizens through a shutdown?

 

It has been more than just the American people who have been greatly affected by our Government's stubborn and self-centered attitude, it has been other Nations as well. Neighboring countries such as Canada and Mexico fear to have reprocussions of our shutdown. " 'Canadians can only pray their economy won't be collateral damage, Anything that drags down the American economy drags the Canadian economy down with it.' " (BBC News, Zurcher). Because we are so close geographically, we are also very close econmically. We are one of Canada's largest trading partners, so if we go down, that puts them at risk as well, according to Andy Radia of Yahoo News. Although there may be some fears of reprocussions for countries that are in trade with us, we are beginning to lose respect and credibility among other nations. "US shutdown has other nations confused and concerned," Anthony Zurcher wrote, "For most of the world, a government shutdown is very bad news – the result of revolution, invasion or disaster. Even in the middle of its ongoing civil war, the Syrian government has continued to pay its bills and workers’ wages. That leaders of one of the most powerful nations on earth willingly provoked a crisis that suspends public services and decreases economic growth is astonishing to many…Now, as the latest shutdown crisis plays out, policymakers in other nations are left to ponder the worldwide impact of the impasse" (BBC News). And as stated in "How the World Sees the Government Shutdown" by Zach Beauchamp; "France’s Le Monde called the shutdown 'grotesque' [...] On the editorial page, Le Monde dramatically lamented, "Jefferson, wake up, they’ve gone crazy!" And also states, "At the time, foreign editorial pages lit up with critism, denigrating Congress as 'dangerously irresponsible' and 'a laughing stock.' " (ThinkProgress.com). The government shutdown has caused other nations look down on us; Nations that are our allies. And has broadcasted to those who are not our allies how foolish and divided our government is at the moment.

 

When the Government is not on the same page, there can be no progress made and American Livelihood suffers. Long before the issue around Obama Care and the government shutdown, we have seen how ineffective the government has been for Benefitting it's citizen's lives. Which is quite ironic, being that they are voted in to represent us and to be the voice for the people. An example of this is discretionary spending. Discretionary spending is government spending determined by legislators and politians involved in the process of developing a national budget. This spending is sometimes described as "optional". Programs such as K-12 education, child care, head start and job creation is funded by the discretionary budget. These programs are usually the first to suffer because less and less of the budget goes into these programs and it leads to critical economic growth.  You see, If education is the final priority in our Government Spending, how can we truly be bettering America? It leads to a downfall in our economic status. Less education means less jobs. Less jobs can lead to homelessness. And as a result of homelessness, crime can increase as well as death due to health complications of being on the streets without proper food, water, and healthcare. The overall livelihood of US citizens are at risk because our government can not seem to look past themselves and fulfill their positions as they were elected to do; represent us! The shutdown took thousands of packchecks from thousands of Americans who work for the Federal Government for 16 days. However, congress still recieved their paychecks. How is that fair? It just goes to show that the livelihood of the American citizen comes second to the ulterior motives of our representatives.

 

Overall, because those who currently hold positions in our government have corrupted their work and purpose with their self-centered nature in this recent shutdown, we now have to fear that America will lose the respect of our allies, the quality of life of it's citizens, and the once precious morals we used to hold tightly onto. Congress, we need to pull it together. Stop looking out for yourselves and do the job you were elected to accomplish. There is too much at stake.


Bibliography:

• Think progress.org. 2013. How The World Sees The Government Shutdown. [online] Available at: http://thinkprogress.org/security/2013/10/01/2707751/how-the-world-sees-the-government-shutdown/ [Accessed: 27 Nov 2013].
• WJLA.Com, W. 2013. Government shutdown 2013: Day two of shutdown begins with no end in sight. [online] Available at: http://www.wjla.com/articles/2013/10/government-shutdown-2013-day-two-of-shutdown-begins-with-no-end-in-sight-94752.html [Accessed: 27 Nov 2013].
•  Yahoo News. 2013. Four ways the U.S. shutdown could affect Canadians?. [online] Available at: http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/canada-politics/four-ways-u-shutdown-could-affect-canadians-154742151.html [Accessed: 27 Nov 2013].
• Chicagotribune.com. 2013. Chicago Tribune: Chicago breaking news, sports, business, entertainment, weather and traffic - chicagotribune.com. [online] Available at: http://www.chicagotribune.com [Accessed: 27 Nov 2013].

Revise Prompt

Our nation is under god. We marinate in the god who loves without measure and without regret however we decide our god. In the world of god there's corruption, poverty, and violence. God is our nation but were the ones that created the world of poverty,  corruption and violence. We discover our self in this nation but we decide to be ignorant or to accept the nation given by god. Lets decide who do we want to be as a nation to be ignorant and stay quiet or to stand up for the poor and speak up for justice and to bring back the world of God that has been taking away due to corruption and violence ?  

Essay #2 : Tattoos on the Heart

November 15, 2013

 

Dear Mr. Officer,

                  I am writing this letter to show my appreciation it’s my pleasure to say thank you for your courageous services to our country but with all due respect sir I would like to give you an honest advice concerning the declared of your proposed over the radio.  The declared you proposed on the radio was due to identify the most violent gang members and offer services and training for jobs however if they don’t accept the offer they would get the stick. In order to carry on this action I would first recommend to truly think what should be done instead of rushing through this process. There’s three qualities to obtained in this process is persistent, compassion, and nonjudgmental.

The offer you propose reminds me of Gregory Boyle who is a Jesuit priest and the founder and executive director of Homeboy Industries. He has run Homeboy Industries more than twenty years, a gang intervention program located in Los Angelo’s the gang capital of the world. The Homeboy Industries is a youth program following the work of the Christian base communities at Dolores Mission Church. This program is targeted to assist gang members such as educational classes, employment services, mental health counseling and legal services.

  In his book Tattoos on the Heart he tells stories of gang members he got to befriend with and had a chance to have a relationship of friendship and love. Gregory Boyle had these qualities persistent, compassion and nonjudgmental and more however Boyle was filled with compassion he gave love to all the gang members he met in Homeboy Industries. No matter what you have done he would open up his arms and heart and give you the opportunity to seek better for yourself in the future. Boyle also didn’t tag them as “gang members” he seen them as humans that went through the wrong path and his passion is to help them discover there true path in life.  Although he also seen violence, corruption, and deaths he still had hope in improving their lives for a better and brighter one. This is known as persistent in worst situation he still believes and doesn’t give up. Of course he lets them come to him when they’re ready to change or he offers them support by Dolores Mission Church.  In the book Tattoos on the heart “Marinate in the God who is always greater than our tiny conception, the God who loves without measure and without regret “ Boyle Marinates in God allowing him to give him strength and compassion towards others because God loves us no matter who we are as humans.

If or not believe in God there’s no reason to ignore that we need to have compassion towards others allowing us to support others with love and not a “duty” work. We all are humans no matter our background, race, or sex. God send us to this world to love why do we see violence and hatred? Well we as humans allow evil to take over are souls and be corrupted by our environment and in order to change our self’s we need to have compassion in us.

In conclusion I advised to spend those $10 million dollars wisely such as I said in this letter. Let’s go in George Boyle path and follow his courageous actions. I only ask for compassion and in compassion there's answer for our questions. what's there's to loose if we allow of self's to give love unconditionally like God who gives us love and doesn't forget us, were the ones who forget him.

 

Sincerely

Maria Villalobos

Personal Blog Post of the book Tattos on the heart

Before reading the book intrepret god:

• There's moral wrong in use of "God" for power.
• "God" is use to fear and control its daughters and sons
• God cant speak up so they speak for him by carrying and controlling religion.
• God is here but youre the only one who would allow to be in your life, no one can force you to believe and if you do youre not really believing youre just being control.
• we use God to protect our sins, we put his name in our mouth to swipe our moral wrongs we put him in our lives to feel like were humans knowing that we corrupted our souls and using "god" as ignoring our wrongs.

In the book, Tattoos on the heart is an inspiration path on knowing God. Everyone has different relationship with god we all go through different experiences in knowing god but what we all have in common is that were the sons and daughters of god. So why do we treat each other differently? If we say that were the daughters and sons of god. God is about love and giving. Some of us want god in our lives for giving instead of receiving love.  God is about compassion, forgiveness and strength. Some of us don’t have compassion with others that we fail to forgive and live with anger and regrets. In the book, Tattoos on the heart Boyles achieves in organizing a gang intervention program known as “Homeboy Industries” in Los Angeles. He sacrifices himself in welcoming gang members as sons and daughters into his home. He creates job for them to make them succeed for their future. “More Jobs less Shooting” is Boyle faith in changing each of them lives. we want to believe in others but in order to do that we need to believe in our selfs and most of us are scared to and thats the problem were scared of the world when in reality where just scared of the shadows we create on our own.

Essay #1 : Gods love

In the book, Tattoos on the heart Boyles themes are composed of compassion, disgrace, slow work and kinship.  Each theme has stories of gang members from the "gang capital" of Los Angeles. Throughout each theme he interprets god as being compassion and finding god through disgrace known as “shame”. As well as the process of opening up to god will take slow work and hope.   

Boyle intercepts God as compassion, he gives us love unconditionally. According to Tattoos on the heart “a compassion that can stand in awe at what the poor have to carry rather than in judgment at how they carry it” (67). This quote illustrates how compassion can stand in the power to inspire reverence as honor of how we carry our self’s rather than judging on how we do it. God wants us to be in his world of compassion however most of us are in his world without compassion in reality without compassion were just in this world alone.  Were the ones that need to accept in God trust and discover on our own. If we allow others to discover for us were just being control to believe. Some of us are ignorant to believe that some religions use “God” to fear and control its daughters and sons. When in reality is our own decision to believe that were worthy of god love. An Example can be Caesar he learn how to feel worthy of god love by accepting Boyle as a father and him as his son. Caesar discovered that he is a son worth having as long with accepting god’s love.

As said in Tattoos on the heart we should all marinate in the intimacy of God in our hearts. Most of us won’t understand the meaning of “marinate in the intimacy of god” the meaning is that we need to soak in the relationship we need to have with God as affection. In the book, Tattoos on the heart Boyle gives the “homies” opportunities such as jobs to show them love and compassion and the jobs gives them hope to look forward for their futures.

According to Tattoos on the heart “we all belong to ourselves the one who created us, each other. We are all equal and we are all deserving of compassionate care within a community-a kinship. Boyle illustrates that god loves us no matter our situation and our guilt. All of us deserve to be love by him and others by creating a community through compassion. Another theme that Boyles reveals is Disgrace, Boyle interprets Carmen story on how she is a heroin addict, a gang member, and a fighter. Carmen admits to Boyle that she’s a disgrace. Carmen story shows how disgrace can lead with guilt and feeling bad about our actions and shame on our self’s however through that process we’re driven to discover god through our own guilt and accept that anyone no matter what’s our actions and shames we deserve to feel the worthy of god’s love.  One story in Tattoos on the heart, Pedro we understand that patience allow us to rescue someone from the darkness. This story illustrates how disgrace and patience can rescue you’re self from your own darkness that you create. Most of us are afraid of the world but we don’t stop to think that were afraid of the shadows that we create our self’s.