Response 2

The writer sounds a clarion call, imploring readers to “Stop making Excuses”. I find that reading this article has been an enjoyable and beneficial experience for me. For example, I’ve come to know more about Autism, understand its ramifications, and empathize with the parents and children. However, since my sparse knowledge of Autism is derived from the article itself, it seems inappropriate to discuss the issue of Autism here.

I would like to assert that the contents of this article can be appropriated and superimposed upon a wider context; that of Life.

We grow and progress the most through challenges. The main premise is that in order to surmount a challenge, we have to better ourselves. This is because for it to be challenging, any challenge will have to best our original selves. This revelation helps me to better understand why I should willingly ‘step out of my comfort zone’. It is an opportunity for me to grow and advance, not stagnate on the spot.

The oft-repeated ‘your-attitude-changes-your-life’ spiel presents itself here. I appreciate this timely reminder about how only we can choose whether to see the glass as half-empty or half-full. The power of choice, especially in a no-choice situation can work wonders. For example, when we have no choice but to do the Maths Project, we can either choose to be positive about it and try to complete it as soon as possible; or choose to sit in the corner, complain and sulk and end up doing last-minute slipshod work. Our attitude determines how we think in turn, it affects our actions.

“Autism is so complex that only professionals can help my child”. This is definitely not true, living a life is not rocket science, but it is not ABC too. We’ll need professional help time to time, to improve our lives, such as professional counseling, motivational speakers. Everyone is a professional, but the professional most qualified to help you live your life, is yourself! In life, we encounter loads of people, but the truth is, the one we encounter the most is ourselves. This quote puts it nicely: “Professionals should be there to support you on your journey(Life), not replace you.”

“If it works for so-and-so’s son, how come it is not working for mine”. This sad truth also manifests itself in life. As the saying goes, “One man’s meat is another man’s poison”. Having an antecedent doesn’t necessarily mean that future cases will turn out exactly the same way. Hence, we should always keep this in mind and not blindly followed the ‘tried-and-tested’ formulas for they had tested only the past, not the unknown future.

I realize that my writing is not at all smooth and coherent. I’ve tried my best to tackle some of the more salient points of the article. It was quite an uphill task for me, mainly because of my relative ignorance of Life, given my short 15 years of existence. However, I’m glad that I’ve tried and learnt from this experience.

Article-Response 1

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,295132,00.html

Since feeling is first: Sharing Thoughts

On the issue of Hostages.

I empathise and pity the South Korean Government, for no matter which route they chose to take, it is still a lose-lose situation for them. It was a fight between domestic lobbying and international pressure. In the end, the Government did what was natural, and perhaps, what was right, they acted in their interest. Caving in to domestic concerns, they negotiated with the terrorists for the release of the hostages. Speculation is rife now, with talk of secret backroom deals where sums amounting to millions were paid out to the terrorists in exchange. This seems highly probable, given that the other 2 ‘exchanges’ seemed nothing but a formality, given that the 2 measures were nothing unexpected. The implication of this issue is worth heeding. Has a deleterious precedent been set?

I think that the currency of human lives will surely enjoy a roaring trade, given the great supply and demand.

Personally, what the South Korean Government did was not morally reprehensible, given that most humans are not very self-sacrificial. I hold the bleak belief that for humans, self is first, especially so in this proclaimed ‘meritocratic’ world, where competition is fierce and cutthroat.

However, I feel that the South Korean Government is the real victim in this case. It had already tried its best to avert the situation. It had already posted travel advisories, warning its citizens not to go to the unstable Middle East. Yet when the citizens are in trouble because of individual folly, the poor Government has to step in. This is highly analogous to that of a parent to his child. A truism of the world perhaps?

Getting to the crux of the issue, where should the buck stop? For me, I think that the overzealous ‘aid workers’ should bear the most responsibility. After all, it is their own actions that landed them in their predicament. The issue of them really being aid workers or missionaries is of particular significance. Being aid workers or being missionaries would have affected the legitimacy of the terrorists’ actions. Granted, any kidnapping is of course unlawful and wrong. However, the kidnapping of perceived enemies spreading falsehoods about Islam compared to kidnapping people on a humanitarian mission; Which is more justified and right?

The South Koreans should not have gone on such a perilous trip to Afghanistan. If they persisted on going, then they must take responsibility for their own actions. It is not their fault that people kidnapped them, but it is their fault for allowing themselves to be so easily kidnapped.

Hence, I feel that the hostages are most at blame. Their photo taken near a travel advisory, whether in ignorance or jest, does not convey the sense that these were a bunch of idealistic, innocent youngsters on a humanitarian quest.

I realize that this is based on the assumption that the future is going to be even more bleak after this fiasco. However, I cannot imagine any brighter future, when the polluted air continues to cloud our skies. (500)