Abortion Essay

Sam Chambers

Mrs. Boresen

Expos, p4

Final

5/11/11

                Abortion is one of the most controversial topics in American politics, and it has split America right down the middle. It is such an even divide, very little legislature can be passed concerning the subject. Although both the pro- life and pro -choice parties have extensive arguments to support their beliefs, the thought of lawful and purposeful killing is unacceptable. In order to decide which party to side with, a fundamental understanding of both sides is absolutely necessary.

                According to BalancedPolitics.org the pro-life side believes in no abortion at all. They dispute that it is not only taking away the constitutional rights of the child, but it is even murder. Their discontent is based mostly on their definition of when life is started; they believe life starts at conception. This simple definition implies that abortion is killing a human being. No civilized society permits the murder or harm of a human without punishment, they don’t agree with this policy (BalancedPolitics.org). They also argue that there are many alternatives. Many families wait years to adopt a child and, with 1.5 million wanting to adopt, there is no scarcity in loving parents (BalancedPolitics.org). There is also efficient forms of contraception which can be used, while abstinence is always a sure fire policy. The thought of abortion being used as contraception is truly appalling. There are always laws which seem unjust in certain cases but the pro life side of the abortion argument believes that abortion is never right.

                In opposition to the pro life party there is a pro-choice party. Make no mistake; these people don’t believe abortion is right but, they believe the woman has the choice to do whatever she pleases with her body.  They also justify abortion by defining the difference between human life and personhood. They believe that human life starts at conception, but personhood is different. Take in vitro fertilization for example, these fertilized eggs are also human lives but they are routinely thrown away (womensissues.about.com). If that is legal how can abortion be any different. Also they claim abortion isn’t used as a form of contraception because only eight percent of women who choose abortion used no other form of birth control (womensissues.about.com). By far the most powerful argument used by the pro choice party is centered on the control of the woman’s body. If the government can choose this for her, it’s only a matter of time before it is forced, and maybe to the extent of court ordered sterilization (womensissues.about.com). Convincing women to forgo this right will only act as a gateway to more government control.

                I side with the pro life party. Abortion is more than just terminating a pregnancy it is terminating a life. That life may not look like a human yet, it doesn’t talk or walk or do anything adults do but it is still a working progress. That little fetus would eventually grow into a human and why should anyone get the right to take that away. I agree that in some cases abortion may seam expectable because of extenuating circumstances, but any law may seem unjust at times. The truth is, no matter why, it is still killing. The pro life and pro choice parties both have great arguments that are nearly polar opposites. Pro life believes in preventing all abortion, while pro choice believes that the women should have the power to decide. The legislature which will be decided by these parties will ultimately impact all of our lives, and if we want to surmount this issue, it is up to us to know who and what we are voting for.

Works Cited

"BalancedPolitics.org - Abortion (Pros & Cons, Arguments For and Against)." BalancedPolitics.org - Free Balanced, Non-Partisan Discussion of Political & Social Issues for Debate (Pros and Cons - Decision Making Politics). Web. 16 May 2011. <http://www.balancedpolitics.org/abortion.htm>.

Lowen, Linda. "10 Arguments For Abortion and Against Abortion." Women's Issues - All About Women's Issues. Web. 16 May 2011. <http://womensissues.about.com/od/reproductiverights/a/AbortionArgumen.htm>.

The Secret's Speakers

Sam Chambers

Mrs. Boresen

Expos, p4

May 6, 2011

The secret’s reputation is almost solely based on the people who have come together and combined their individual insights into a nearly a universal outlook on life. John Assaraf, James Arthur Ray, Bob Doyle, Morris Goodman, and John Hagelin are a few of the contributing speakers in the secret and their reputations in each field of study are truly the backbone of the secrets reliability. But really, who are these people?

John Assaraf was headed down the wrong rode at twice the speed limit when he was a teen. Living a turbulent lifestyle and having absolutely no goals in life wasn’t getting him anywhere, until he discovered his love for the brain and quantum physics (johnassaraf.com). Throughout the last 20 years john has studied how quantum physics and the brain relate to a person’s success in the business world. Through the connections made between these fields he has developed business strategies which he has utilized in the creation of four multimillion dollar companies. John says, “We’re all connected. We just don’t see it. There isn’t an “out there” and an “in here.” Everything in the universe is connected. It is just one energy field.”(thesecret.com) This statement shows how he connects the law of attraction to business strategies. He already understands that everything is connected so, he simply applies the law of attraction to bring good things to him. Today he is helping entrepreneurs develop their businesses, and as these entrepreneurs develop so does Johns knowledge of the law of attraction.

Bob Doyle was living a life that many people want. He had a wife, three kids, and a nice house. His job paid well and wasn’t too stressful but, it just wasn’t enough. He didn’t feel happy so he decided; money isn’t worth having if it doesn’t make you happy. Finally he quit his job. He decided he would find the answer to happiness and he would share it with others. After reading about the law of attraction he tried it, but it wasn’t working. Soon there after he was close to bankrupt and had no feasible way out when finally a solution hit him. Bob says, “I was trying to figure everything out for myself rather than truly allowing the universe to handle it for me.” At this moment the true definition of the law of attraction hit him. He turned his life around and is now sharing his experience and knowledge with the world.

Morris Goodman, otherwise known as The Miracle Man, has astounded everyone who has heard his story. He was the top life insurance seller in his area and life was good. He even had his own airplane, which would ultimately change his life. Upon landing, his plane crashed and he was severely injured. The extent of the nerve damage didn’t allow him to do anything, except blink his eyes (http://www.themiricalman.org/), and there was no hope for recovery. Despite the doctor’s prognosis, as his nickname implies, he miraculously recovered. Through an amazing show of will and determination he utilized the power of the secret. After seeing it on T.V. he decided to try it. He believed with everything he had, that he would pull through. Despite all of the doctors doubts he has recovered and can now function very normally (http://www.themiricalman.org/). Just like the others he shares this with people in the hope of changing their lives.

James Arthur Ray is definitely the most controversial speaker of the secret. He started as a preacher and dipped in and out of poverty. As he evaluated his shaky financial situation he couldn’t figure out how he could help so many people but still have no money. As he furthered his studies and discovered new ways to help people he came upon the secret.  Eventually, he became a self help speaker, and as he became more famous his seminars became more infamous. As he led groups of people out into the desert, untrained and unprepared, he told them it was to find themselves. He then brought them, dehydrated and exhausted, into a sweat lodge where he would convince them to stay longer and longer. He pushed them so hard two of the attendees died and eighteen others were hospitalized (Wikipedia). He is currently on trial for manslaughter, along with being sued for not refunding the canceled seminars (Wikipedia). There is no verdict yet and it is speculated to be five months out. Although his methods may be unorthodox and even deadly his message matches all of the others and I am sure he will continue his beliefs.

Along with the mental aspect of the secret there is a scientific side which helps explain it further. John hagelin has studied this side of the secret for many years. He uses his knowledge of quantum physics to connect the mental side to the physical. He earned his masters and doctorate from Harvard and he is a well know scientist in his respective field (hagelin.org). He uses the theory of electroweak unification and grand unification to explain the law of attraction. In layman’s terms it is very similar to John Assaraf’s theory; everything is made out of the same stuff and, this stuff is attracted to itself. Therefore, everything is attracted to everything, almost like gravity. He believes we can use these theories to help society in almost all aspects, from crime and violence, to war and terrorism (hagelin.org). He also agrees that the solution to all social stresses can be solved by large group meditating, and by utilizing the secret away from these groups. His work is some of the most cited references in physical sciences and, without the missing link John Hagelin has discovered, the secret wouldn’t be the fool proof method we all know.

When reading “The Secret” it is crucial to understand who the speakers are and where they have come from. They have developed their own spin off of the secret through their individual experiences, and although they are slightly different the message is the same. John Assaraf, James Arthur Ray, Bob Doyle, Morris Goodman, and John Hagelin have individually contributed to the wisdom collected by the secret. They range from upstanding scientific minds, to former bums, and they all have a motivational story. Throughout time, “The greatest people in history” (The Secret) have discovered its power and today a collection of unique individuals have come together to share the secret with us.

Works Cited

"Affirmations Personal Goal Setting | Certified Life Coach Become A Millionaire | John Assaraf." Achievement Goal Transformational Business Coaching | Secret Law Of Attraction. Web. 03 May 2011. <http://www.johnassaraf.com/about-me/>.

"James Arthur Ray." Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia. Web. 06 May 2011. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Arthur_Ray>.

John Hagelin, Ph.D., Proposes Vedic Defense Shield to Prevent War and Terrorism; Create World Peace. Web. 06 May 2011. <http://www.hagelin.org/>.

Morris Goodman "The Miracle Man. Web. 06 May 2011. <http://www.themiracleman.org/>.

Official Web Site of The Secret and The Power. Web. 03 May 2011. <http://thesecret.tv/>.

"Wealth Beyond Reason - Meet Bob Doyle." Web. 06 May 2011. <http://www.wealthbeyondreason.com/mystory.html>.