Friday, March 28, 2008

Cason Could be a Giant Soon


The Giants are looking to add another cornerback in the next NFL Draft. In 2005, the Giants selected a cornerback with their first pick. The following year, they signed two veterans corners. Last year, they drafted the Jim Thorpe who was named award winner in first round. So everyone is wondering why are the Giants looking to trade? The answer is the Giants believe they can never have enough pass rushers. They also believe they cannot get enough cornerbacks. Cornerbacks are wanted by everyone too. Arizona cornerback Antoine Cason is projected by many. The Giants, at No. 31 overall, are most likely taking a long, hard look at Cason. Many don't understand why they would want more cornerbacks. I feel that they are obviously doing something right because the Giants just recently won the Superbowl. No matter what they will improve with or without a new cornerback.

Wednesday, March 26, 2008

What Does Creative Nonfiction Mean?

Today in literature there are many types of genres that books are classified as. Such genres are fiction, nonfiction, and romance. Each genre stands out in there own way but one that caught my attention was Creative Nonfiction. Creative Nonfiction is a genre that many people do not understand what its meaning is. In the past, Creative Nonfiction was known as “literary journalism”. Literary journalism means that the author had to connect the information to the readers just like a speaker to an audience. Also Creative Nonfiction was review as “literary journalism” because it had much information including nature and personal memoirs. In 1983, Lee Gutkind who was known as the Godfather of Creative Nonfiction said the genre was officially identified. Lee Gutkind was the one that helped someone understand that while writing Creative Nonfiction, the author will come upon many challenges before finishing.
Creative Nonfiction is a type of literature genre that involves personal and outside experiences. Creative Nonfiction can we be presented in different ways. For example, it can be shown in autobiographies, biographies, researches, and interviews. Creative Nonfiction is a combined source of nonfiction fundamentals and the literary fundamentals. Creative Nonfiction is supported in the stories through plot, setting, personal experiences, characteristics, and narrative. It presents an educational work through much needed research.
Two works of literature that are written in the form of Creative Nonfiction are All Around Town by Herbert Asbury and The Curve of Binding Energy by John McPhee. These two books show the theme of real events that take place in history and provide us, the reader with factual information. But these events can only become presented to the reader through setting, plots, and narration. All Around Town is an example because it is a book with many different stories about the background of New York and how it transformed over the years; even though Asbury likes to exaggerate when writing and tells facts about New York in a humorous way. Asbury’s sense of humor attracts the reader’s attention and makes it easier for the readers to understand clearly what is going on in the story. In the book, The Curve of Binding Energy, McPhee uses the same method as Asbury when expressing the life story of Theodore B Taylor. McPhee does not only express the story with research and facts but shows a creative fun side which grasps the reader’s attentions.
In my opinion, I feel Creative Nonfiction is one of the best types of stories to read. Creative Nonfiction is a literature that requires important information and facts. It also challenges the write to show the information in a creative way to help the reader understand. Creative Nonfiction is unique because it has actual facts and information based on a true story or topic. Creative writing is an easier way of understanding the reader and it helps us learn from the information given to us. At the same time Creative Nonfiction lets you enjoy the story by its humorous literary style. Overall, I think Creative Nonfiction is a great way to keep readers entertained and help those understand who struggle in comprehending reading.

Reaction and Thoughts

When I first began reading the book The Curve of Binding Energy, I knew from the beginning that this book dealt with nuclear bombs and scientific facts. The Curve of Binding Energy, by John McPhee is based about the life of Theodore b. Taylor. McPhee briefly discusses Theodore B. Taylor’s theory on making a nuclear bomb and ways terrorism should be prevented. The theme of this book consisted on many procedures Taylor had completed during his time. Taylor was involved with the Orion Project which started up his career. His life consisted of being an atomic bomb designer and safeguards. The information given in the book about safeguards fascinated me and I wanted to know more about it once I finished the book.
Reading about safeguards made me wonder where we would be today if we did not have the security we use today. Taylor new how to create an atomic bomb but at the same time he was very concerned with the fact that anyone can do it themselves. He realized that this could cause massive damages to other countries and cities. In the book, McPhee expresses how Taylor is believed safeguards play a strong role and are needed.
The thought of safeguards stuck in my head for so many odd reasons. I began to see in the book that safeguards were laidback and it wasn’t strictly worried about. At the time many were not concerned but Taylor was. During Taylor’s years, gaining the material to make an atomic bomb could have been easily done. It made me wonder what could happen today in our society. Access was open more freely than it is now. It also made me wonder if people had access today to design bombs, what would happen to us because of all our new technology.
For an example, today we cannot leave the country without being searched. To have access to go on a plane we must have certain IDs, certain accessories are not aloud, and our bags must be searched thoroughly. Also as we travel through certain areas police officers now make check points for trucks that are full of stuff. Back then this was not a necessity and things were overlooked until a huge crash occurred. Not until September 11, 2001, was when security made a drastic change all around. Since this day, we get searched in places as if we are criminals because we have to protect our nation from terrorist attacks such a 9/11.
I began to wonder why McPhee specifically chose Theodore B. Taylor to write about. I realize how he chose his topics to tell about Taylor’s life. He spoke about the safeguards and Taylor’s thought because this is something that still could happen in our generation. Nuclear attacks can take place at anytime if someone has the right material for it. It’s hard to find now but still can happen. I completely agree with Taylor’s ideas and thoughts about safeguards. By his feelings toward nuclear attacks it makes us more comfortable that in the future it will stop. Overall, McPhee’s book should be a wake up call to the United States warning then to make sure that these nuclear materials are safeguarded.
After finishing this book, it opened my eyes to new thoughts. The book made me realize that during Taylor’s time these materials were open but with such limited technology. I wonder what can happen now because our technology has reached such a level. We have internet and TV resources that could help people succeed. Now I see why Taylor did not violate any of the secrets. He made sure noone knew anything because he did not want any of his information let out.
Even though I feel our security is safe and couldn’t get any better because of September 11, we should still have precautions. We should still make sure our nuclear materials are secured safely and will keep strengthening. Throughout McPhee’s book we can tell Taylor was correct on how terrorist could easily steal nuclear materials and make there own bombs to harm others. I feel September 11, 2001 made a huge impact for everyone to rethink how important safeguards are and how our security should always be strong.