long time no see.

yeah. so im back in this. just to say hi. hahaha. long time eh* erms. itll be pretty boring so chyyyyeah. ;P

AP english final paper----

Irma Martinez

Mr. Golembeski

AP English

June 3, 2007

A Research Paper on the Handmaid's Tale

Margaret Atwood's novel "the Handmaid's Tale" is a representation of the egoistical measures taken by

men to restrict the power gains of women throughout the centuries. As time goes by the power of women

augments into greater freedoms. It is through this loss of neccessity that men felt the need to strip women of all

choice by creating Gilead. Gilead is a turn of the century enclosure morphed by antiquated morals of the bible,

thought to salvage the people of the United States. Whom had exhausted all aspects of society by becoming

too self-indulgent. Yet this new government is still a woman's world, simply "policed" by men, they failed to realize

 that a woman's greatest power is her femininity and ability to reproduce.

It is this macho need for domineerance that drove men to annihilate all free will from the opposite sex.   The

commander clearly stated, "The main problem was with the men. There was nothing for them anymore . . . I’m not

talking about sex, he says. That was part of it, the sex was too easy . . . You know what they were complaining

about the most? Inability to feel. Men were turning off on sex, even." (Atwood      ). This need for the regainment

of power drove the government, men in particular, to strip women of the one thing they now had; full hegemony

over their sexuality. After decades of fighting for women's rights and liberations, they were unbound to men and

the authority to choose their own lifestyles. Women became free as individuals and began to rebel against all

standard morals, "girls, felt-skirted as I knew from pictures, later in mini skirts, then pants, then one earring,

spiky green-streaked hair." (Atwood 3). Victoria Glendinning affirms that "[Atwood] is justly claimed by the

feminists, in that power struggles for a woman tend to be with men." (Glendinning 41).  Aunt Lydia ingrains into all

handmaids that they should be thankful because " "There is more than one kind of freedom...Freedom to and

freedom from. In the days of anarchy, it was freedom to. Now [they] are being given freedom from. Don't

underrate it." (Atwood 24). This brainwashing of the Handmaids was neccessary to make them believe that there

was a cause for their containment. As Elaine Kendall assures, "virtually all civil rights gained by women...during the

 last century have been rescinded. (Kendall 12).The lack of virile authority, led men to seek a way in which they

could once again regain prestige in the world.

Throughout the entire novel there are numerous sexual inuendos that exhibit the power women reserve,

even after the new government arrangements. In defiance to the power struggle between sexes, homosexual

emerged in exponential numbers; in such relationships there is a balance of power, because women accept 

equality. Moira is the perfect example of sexual bravado, she refused to give in to the "price of obedience...--the

death of the senses, the death of the spirit"  (Johnson 2). Moira evades losing her sexual activities,

and holds strong to the lifestyle of the women at the time; "Moira had power...she was now a loose

woman" (Atwood 133). Although Offred was condemned to this society she still found ways to use her body for

desire and personal enjoyment. Such as that she had on the soldiers as "they touch with their eyes instead, and

[she] move her hips a little...it's like teasing...a dog with a bone held out of reach" (end of chpt 4). This

provocativeness clenches men into  submission of the opposite sex.  Even though this society was created to

purify the country, men still were in need of infatuation. "Nature demands variety, for men" (Atwood     37).

Maynard reports that "it's a society-formed in reaction to one form of corruption-that begins corrupting its own

rules"; no man is perfect and all have a need to rebel (Maynard   ). The hunger for sex, the drive for fulfillment

surpasses the discipline in Gilead.

This policing of women, was intended to deliver them from harms way. The struggles women must

ovecome in the novel "will no doubt [make it] be labeled a "feminist 1984" (Johnson 2). Offred tells her tale as she

 recounts her past, revealing that women were made objects of dependence. All her monitary possessions were t

transfered under her husband; she was fired from work, for being a woman of course. Women were made to

believe that they were responsible for the anguish they were living in; "Janine, telling about how she got gang-

raped at fourteen and had an abortion. Her fault, her fault, her fault [they] chant in unision" (Atwood    13). Of

course, some aspect of society will always be worse off than others. Handmaids were this part of society and the

commander confessed this flaw, "Better never means better for everyone, he says. It always means worse for

some." (Atwood 211).  Handmaid's were never really meant to be protected for anything more than their ability to

reproduced, they were women yes, but they were condemned to carry the weight of survival on their shoulders.

Because of this they had a need to be protected, and who better to complete the job then the useless men who

put them there in the first place.

Consequently, the desperation of a doomed society for survival, led men to classify the female sex as

women and unwomen. The women were divided into positions according to their abilities; what they can offer

to the structure. There were wives, marthas, handmaids, aunts and daughters; all fulfilling their assigned duties.

Those that failed to be of any use to the government were sent off to the colonies to die a slow and painful death.

They were women who rebeled, who refused to give in, refused to give up; they had their tubes tied in protest,

 they would not becoming birthing machines. Those who were too old, or were found to be infertile were sent to

the colonies as well. These women were thought of as a drain on a fallen society. This place, "it's a vision

of hell [for women]... but [Atwood] calls  the place the Republic of Gilead" (Maynard). However, if

subjected to the loss of power, they gained the ability to live. But their survival depended on their ability to create

 life; "Give me children, or else I die", a straightforward statement. (Atwood 88). The handmaids that were able to

 give birth to a living child within the three years they were given were promised a future life without ever being

transfered to the colonies, even if the failed to have another child. This promise of some sort of sanctity, led many

to bend the rules in order to empregnant themselves. Most understood that it was the men who failed to be fertile,

it was the men who weren't able to procreate.  Yet, blame was placed on the women. So, other measure were

 taken, on most occasions with the help of the wife a handmaid was found another source of semen. A precaution,

while at the same time a sin. One might even distinguish a similarity in the red dress of the handmaid, to the fiery

 red of the A worn by Hester Prinn.  They were seen as whores, "Agreed to it right away, really she didn't care,

anything with two legs and a good you-know-what was fine with her", willing to do anything to get pregnant.

(Atwood 215). Society understands the commanders are sterile, " 'The door is locked. No one will come in.

They'll never know it isn't his.' " (Atwood       ). Even the doctor was willing to risk his life when he offered help to

 Offred, this is her chance to break fromroutine, but the act is too risky, and though thoughts of suicide frequently

pass through her mind she refuses totake the chance and face death. The importance of giving birth to a child that

will survivelingers so heavily on every member of society.

This new society failed to strip women of all their power, they failed to see that it remains a woman's world,

everything depends on them. Handmaid's are essential to the survival of a population that has for decades failed to

provide children to keep the country alive. Ellen Kendall warns that "The Handmaid's Tale could be the ultimate

doomsday book" (Kendall 1). The lack of family values, leads to a sense throughout the entire novel of moral

majority. It is the woman, and only she that carrys the joy of life, "[the woman] shall be saved by childbearing" 

( Atwood 221). Men aren't allowed any power but to protect. They may head the government and hold "control"

over the women, but this amounts to nothing. The wife is the one who runs things at home. Men are restrained, all

 but the commanders, to live their life in the perversion of desperate desire for a woman touch. Offred mother had

fought her entire life to create a society in which women were the undenyable rulers. McCarthy points out the

irony found in the book as Offred thinks to herself in regard to her absurd mother, " 'you wanted a woman's

culture. Well now there is one.' The wrong kind, of course" (McCarthy 1). It may be the wrong kind, in a sense

 that women aren't fully aware of their true hidden power, they fail to recognize their greatest asset and weapon.

Likewise, there is weight in the small rebellions some women of Gilead accomplished in order to deny

submission. For example there is the "Femaleroad" which smuggled protestors into Canada. Much like the

underground railroad during the civil war, all participants faced ultimate death if they were caught. After Moira

was found, she never really knew what happened to the innocent Quakers that aided her, but she has an idea.

Offred even becomes aware of the secret group through  Ofglen wiht the words "May Day" to identify each other.

This power to realize the flaws in the government foreshadows the eventual failure that will befall it. Another form

 of rebellion towards this inept society is that of suicide by the handmaids. Finding a woman that is able to have

 children, children that will survive is so hard at this time. It is the ultimate Thomas Hardy move to commit suicide

 as a handmaid. Offred often thinks of all the possible ways in which she could kill herself using the few materials

in the room. Men failed once again to admit the susceptibility they have for the opposite sex; they cannot refuse

them. This is clearly seen during the private meetings the commander had with Offred. As the number of meetings

increase, so does her confidence and attitude with the commander. She begins to ask him for things, that he

willingfully provides, like the handlotian, the magazines. Then her conduct, her voice changes, she takes more

charge of the situation. She even lectures him when he almost gave them away at the first ceremony after their

encounters. She feels herself taking more power from him, and enjoys it. The entire novel is a grand fairytale about

the loss of power of women; a power taken by men. Yet, truly, this is a false idea as Glendinning assures, " to

suggest (mistakenly) that Atwood is getting preachy herself", that would definately be wrong. (39). Throughout the

book there is a lot of hidden meaning underlying a single message. Women cannot be deprived of prerogative,

they thrive on accomplishments and achievements. It will always be a woman's world.

Margaret Atwood's predictions on the downfall of society are fairly realistic. It's a vision of hell, a hell in

which women fall victim to the hubris of men. Women have become too powerful as independent figures in

today's world to allow men to strip  them of their freedom's. She was correct in that there will be a women's

world, but one in which women have the say, not men.  A ficticious novel, a prediction that will fail to come true,

because the feminine world of today has become to powerful for any man to take control. Nolite  te bastardes

carborundorum.

works cited

BookRags.2006.BookRags Books Notes. 31 May 2007.

Glendinning, Victoria. "Lady Oracle." Saturday Night 101.1 (1986): 39-41.

Johnson, Joyce. "Margaret Atwood's Brave New World" The Washington Post 2 Feb. 1986: 1-2.

Kendall, Elaine. "The Handmaid's Tale" Los Angeles Times Book Review 9 Feb. 1986:1, 12.

Lehmann-Haupt Christopher. "The Handmaid's Tale" New York Times 27 Jan. 1986:C24.

Maynard, Joyce.

lalala && some more gov.

Irma Martinez

Position Papers: France

Darfur--

France is a country committed to the welfare, peace, and safety of its citizens as well as other countries around the world. It is astonished and deeply troubled in regards to the events currently taking in Darfur. Due to its commitment to the prosperity of international peace, they continue to support and push for the aide of victims in Sudan. It is a crime what is being done to non-Arab citizens; one which must be dealt with. It is the UN's resposibility to rescue the victims and well as punish those found responsible in order to prevent another genicide.

Up to this point the UN has passed resolutions 1590 as well as 1591, both intended to help the situation. Up to this point the Sudanese government has agreed to phase two of  the Addis Ababa plan. Which was a UN heavy support package to the African force that dispatched 3,000 Blue Helmets. France was the intiator, and main supported of the latest resolution. France has also mobilized the EU, and military forces to aide refugees in Sudan. Finally, France established the RECAMP programme a few years ago. This programme seeks to reinforce Africa's own peacekeeping capabilities between its own countries.

In dealing with the UN's position for the future of Darfur, France has clearly stated that the most important step is to continue pressure on Sudanese government. With time running out, it has become obvious that the Security Council will have no choice but to adapt sanctions on the country. They have also agreed, that the UN will have to make contributions for the heavy support package. (However, they are still not sure as to what, or how much support they will be providing, depending on what is needed). It is very important to continue consultations with Sudan in hopes to convince the government to work with the Security Council to come up with a safe and quick solution. However if an agreement cannot be reached, and thousands of innocent lives at stake, we are aware that other measures will have to be taken in order to garauntee security to all.

France proposes that the Security Council keep the threat of sanctions valid, to force the agreement of Sudanese government to phase three of the Addis Ababa. Everything possible must be done so that the UN and AU can deploy forces into Darfur (these however will consist mainly of African forces).

What France would like to see accomplished for the situation in Darfur is: help being sent to Chad for refugees, the agreement of phase 3, African self-help, other rebel groups to sign peace agreements, the demobolization of these groups and the janjaweed, and finally political agreements to share power and wealth between the different people of Sudan.

Iran--

The situation in Iran is complicated because of the valid need for Iran to be allowed to develope nuclear energy, much like any other nation. The situation however is the non-compliance Iran has with the IAEA's resolutions. France has a firm stand on the issue. Stating they believe that Iran has been given a clear choice on the issue with the passing of resolution 1747. If Iran continues to fail to follow the restrictions set forth by the UN, according to the IAEA, the only option left is to sanction the country and force them into further isolation.

The Security Council, along with the UN, have passed resolution 1696, 1737, and 1747. All of which demand full cooperation by the Iranian government with the IAEA; giving them authority to oversee, at any point, the progress being made with nuclear energy. There is no fear in Iran having small amounts of it for the consumption in the country itself, as opposed to oil, but rather the further developement and research being done. France, partnered with Germany and Great Britain,  to draft the resolution which sought to prevent the supply, sale or transfer of nuclear materials, equipment and goods to and from Iran.

France's goals and proposed accomplishments are as follows: the imposing of additional sanctions on Iran in the wake of Tehran's refusal to suspend nuclear activities. To convince Iran to comply with international commitments, and their return to negotiations. The suspension of all nuclear production until the Security Council, along with the IAEA, come to a conclusion. For Iran to conform to the resolution and stop developing technology capable of supporting nuclear and missile programmes.

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y110/eLm3r/Project1.png

dont mind this.

Irma Martinez

AP Governement

March 28, 2007

Hot Topics

          1. Do the Police have a right to search your backpack at school?

No, I dont believe that school officials as well as law enforcement have the right to unlawfully search your person or your belongings even while being in a public, government owned building. This is unless there is an evident situation in which the individuals in the remainder of the building are put in immediate danger because of the containments of the backpack being searched.

The constitution states in the fourth amendment that it is the right of people to be secure in their persons, houses, and effects; warrants shall be issued upon probable casue stating the specific areas being searched and what they intend to find. This, however vague, explaination is very straight forward, there is a necessity of a warrant before a search is conducted in order to protect the rights of the people. This can also fall under the fourthteenth amendment which states that our rights as citizens shall not be infringed without due process of law in order to protect the rights given to us in the constitution.

The supreme court case that goes along with unlawful searches on school grounds is New Jersey v. T.L.O. The principle of the school seized and searched the purse of a fourteen year old girl thought to be smoking in the girls bathroom; the principle found marijuana in her purse. The supreme court concluded that this action did not violate the constitution on the grounds that there was sufficient suspicion with the accusation of smoking in the bathrooms and seeing rolling papers.

2. Does a woman have a right to an abortion?

Yes, I do believe that every woman should be given the freedom to choose for herself if given birth to a child is the best thing for her. I don't believe that the governement has any right to impose restrictions on who and why a woman should be accessible to an abortion. This however, is only as long as it doesn't endanger the life of the mother and if the fetus isn't too far along in the pregnancy. It is understandable that people of a strange religious background object to what the consider murder, but it is clearly stated in the first amendment that everyone has the right to practice their own religion. This also gives women the right to deny religion, and do what they consider best in their lives and situations without having to answer to the religious beliefs of another individual.

The constitution can be interpreted both ways. Although the Tenth amendment states that whatever rights are not given to the citizens within the constitution are left up to the states to apply as they see fit, it states in the fourteenth amendment that no state shall deprive any person of life, liberty, or property. It is a woman's liberty to choose to engage in sexual intercourse, it is a woman's liberty to use contraceptives, and it should remain a woman's liberty to decide on her own if she wishes to keep the child in case of an unwanted pregnancy; because it is that woman's life, not anyone else's.

The supreme court case that still stirs up controversy to this day, is that of Roe v. Wade. It debates the power of the states to prohibit the allowance of abortion to its citizens for unjust reasons. This case is still a major debate as the supreme court refuses to overturn the decision that abortion should be left up to the women and the states lack the power to deny them the choice, while slowly implementing more requirements or restrictions in the process of obtaining an abortion.

3. Can a teacher choose to teach "creationism" over "evolution"?

No, I dont believe that bringing religion into the public school system, even to teach a a part of a class, should be allowed. It causes too much controversy, and limits the freedoms given to us in the first amendment. Although the teacher and the majority of student might believe, because of their religion, that people evolved a certain way, this doesn't mean that everyone agrees. Therefore limiting the learning experience to those who wish to opt out of a program that is falsely teaching the kids.

The constitution sides with the restriction of "creationism" in the classrooms, according to the first amendment. The amendment clearly states that "congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free excercise thereof". Although one cannot deny or prohibit people from practicing their own religion, they do hold the right to deny teachers to push their beliefs onto their students, especially in a public building.

The supreme court case that follows this dilemma is 

Edwards v. Aguillard. Acase that involves the education concerning both "creationism" as well as "evolution" in the classrooms. A Louisiana law entitled the "Balanced Treatment for Creation-Science and Evolution-Science in Public School Instruction Act" prohibited the teaching of the theory of evolution in the public schools unless that instruction was accompanied by the teaching of creation science, a Biblical belief that advanced forms of life appeared abruptly on Earth. Schools were not forced to teach creation science. However, if either topic was to be addressed, evolution or creation, teachers were obligated to discuss the other as well.

4. Should we require background checks before being allowed to purchase a gun?

Yes, I do believe there should be a lot more restrictions when purchasing guns because they are a dangerous weapon and shouldn't be allowed into irresponsible hands. I fail to see a need for weapons in the home apart from recreational purposes in which the owner, and sole user of the weapon, are registered, competent, and fully trained to handle the gun safely.

The founding fathers of the constitution however felt differently. In the second amendment they gave the people the "right to keep and bear arms" a right that shall not be infringed by the governement. Although states might be able to increase the security around purchasing a gun,as long as it doesn't violate what people feel are their private rights,  they cannot deny the right to keep arms in their homes.

coroner, ravalli county, montana v. united states is a case in where the requirement of background checks for individuals was found unconstitutional. In Montana and Arizona the CLEO's filed suits claiming that background checks were unconstitutional, from the Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act. The court found that it was legal and allowed the continuation of voluntary background checks.

5. Should gays be allowed to marry?

Yes, I do believe that every person should have the right to be with the one they love. I can't comprehend how living happily and in love harms anyone in any way. We are supposed to have freedom to live the way we want without discrimination, this includes all citizens of the United States.

I do believe the fourteenth amendment covers this controversy. The states dont have the right to deny any person, not even when dealing with their sexual preference, the right to their choice in life or their liberties.

6. Should a murderer be acquitted if the arrestiong police officers don't follow "due process"?

No, if someone has committed a crime and there is sufficient evidence to  prove the guilt, then the courts should have the right to charge, try, and convict the person with an adequate punishment. If the police only fail in a minor detail, and might not complete the arrestation in the proper manner, they should be dealt with on the side, the criminal shouldn't have the chance to get off scott free for a trivial mistake.

Yes, the constitution states in the sixth amendment that "the accused shall enjoy the right to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation". It is the job of an officer to make sure and read the criminal their miranda rights in order to ensure that all evidence is admissable in court in order to give the person an adequate trial.

Miranda v. Arizona is the perfect example of a criminal that is clearly guilty of a violent offense that is acquitted of all charges because of the failure of the officers to complete their job justly. Miranda kidnapped and raped an 18 year old female. After being caught, and identified he was forcefully questioned into given a confession, without the counsel of an attorney. Miranda appealed his case taking it to the supreme court where he was acquitted of all charges because of the failure of police officers to explain his rights.

7. Should any student or teacher have to submit to random drung testing?

No, unless it is absolutely necessary for a job, I dont believe that should be allowed. People should have the right to live the way they want, they shouldn't have to go through random testing unless it could harm someone, or it is completely obvious that drugs are being used while in school and it is causing a disturbance.

The fourth amendment protects the individuals from a warrantless search of their person even if at the time the are in the school building. If there is enough reasonable doubt, or cause, to believe that the individual is under the influence of drugs while attending school, there should be enough to issue a warrant for a legal search.

8. Is capitol punishment cruel and unusual punishment?

Yes, at no point does any one person have the right to take the life of another, although their crimes are bad we shouldn't stoop to their level. It seems quite ironic to them that the state is killing the convict for murdering someone else. I really  dont believe that it does our society any good to rid ourselves of the murderers by committing murder ourselves.

Amendment VIII  states that  " no cruel and unusual punishment [shall] be inflicted". It is very vague, since the constitution deosn't specifically state what cruel and unsusual punishment entails, it is left up to the states to figure out what they deem as cruel and unusual and what they believe is just.

Thompson v. Oklahoma: William W. Thompson, a 15 year-old at the time of his crime, was tried as an adult for murder, found guilty, and sentenced to death in an Oklahoma trial court. The Court of Criminal Appeals of Oklahoma upheld the decision. The supreme court found it to be unjust because Thompson was under the age of 16. It  was the first case since the moratorium on capital punishment was lifted in the United States in which the U.S. Supreme Court overturned the death sentence of a minor on grounds of "cruel and unusual punishment."

9. Is eavesdripping on terrorists legal if there is no warrant issued?

No, every citizen is gauranteed their privacy to lead the lives they see fit. The government can never be certain if a person is a terrorist, much like the Patriot Act, it would violate the personal privacy. If we believe there is reason to eavesdrop then we should have the sufficient evidence to do it legally.

This case goes back to the fourth amendment and the need for a warrant to conduct any search no matter the reason for the invasion of privacy. Although now with the USA-Patriot Act, the governement has expanded the abitlity of law enforcement to invade the privacy of citizens without there knowledege, something that is, in itself, in violation of the constitution.

10. Should the President of the United States have a line-item veto?

No, the checks and balance system was created in order to prevent ever giving too much power to any certain person or level of government. Giving the head of the executive branch the authority to reject provisions of a bill individually allows them to pick and choose what they like, it would grant them to much powers in regards to legislation, which is meant for congress.

The constitution