Homework Help

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2005
Homework Help
4
Mon, 09-18-2006 - 4:38pm

I need some help with my homework!!




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iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
In reply to: plebmom
Mon, 09-18-2006 - 8:24pm

OK, here are my opinions, but let me first state that they are *just my own* and not meant to insult anyone or stir things up. (But since you asked!!)

1) I believe in evolution in the way Biology and science and Darwin have described it. There is overwhelming scientific evidence for it. However, I believe God has a hand in it, and it is His way of leading all of Creation to perfection, or to become more like Him. . . Too religious for you? LOL! Sorry, but I don't know any other way to state my opinion on this, because the controversy lies with Creationism, which I don't believe has any scientific proof, and to me is really not as revealing of the Nature of God anyway.

I don't know much about chimpanzee/human genetic relationships, but I have been told by my husband the Biologist that we only differ by 3 chromosomes on our genomes. I think we probably both evolved from the same primate arboreal ancestor.

I'm not sure about penicillin. As far as I know, it's a mold derivative, so probably is not a modern product. When you ask this, I tend to think more of the mutated viruses and resistant bacteria that have cropped up in recent decades in resistance to penicillin and other medications. They are more a modern example of evolution. And then, of course, there's HIV. Where did that virus come from? It seems to be a new mutation in the past century, too, but again, I'm out of my element here.

2) Yes, I believe declaring English as the official language is a form of nationalism that is not necessarily beneficial to us as a culture, and seems somewhat bigoted. This is slightly more personal for me, because my parents were both born in Greece, and I spoke primarily Greek until I went to kindergarten. I knew very little English, except what I had picked up from TV, and playing with friends and siblings who had learned to speak it. Once I began school, I learned it rapidly, and my sisters and brother did also, so it became our primary language at home by the time I was in middle school, with even my parents speaking English more than half the time. I now speak English better than I do Greek, am married to someone who knows about 10 words in Greek (all which I have taught him) and have not raised my kids speaking much Greek. For this I am both sad and guilty. It is sad to see my cultural heritage lost in a single generation in that way (even though my kids are only half Greek). In my DH's family, I know that his mom spoke Italian pretty fluently, her parents born in Italy, and yet he understands some Italian, but doesn't really speak it. It's the same thing: a rich and interesting cultural heritage being lost. I see no need of trying so desperately to stamp out everyone's culture and ethnicity. To me, what gives America its diversity, which bestows on it a kind of unique beauty, is the rich cultural diversity expressed by all peoples here. An attempt to make English the "official" language, and stamp out all others, seems to be like throwing all the colors into one pot, thus making them blend to a muddy brown color.

So this is just my humble opinion, and nothing else. . . HTH!

Sofia the Greek ;)




Edited 9/18/2006 8:38 pm ET by surfnsand




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iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2005
In reply to: plebmom
Mon, 09-18-2006 - 9:27pm
Thats what I needed, just your opinion - not meaning to stir up any controversy.



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iVillage Member
Registered: 11-22-2003
In reply to: plebmom
Wed, 09-20-2006 - 11:00am

Good questions, Vanasa! Controversial, yes, so read at your own risk, but just MHO.


1) I agree with Sofia on this one. I think God (or the Creator) created everything, but it has continued to develop and refine itself from then on. A sort of controlled evolution.


2) I whole-heartedly agree with a "national language". (This is a heated subject for me, but I'll try to keep it cool here.) People are coming to our country because they want to become a part of it, become an American. America is a melting pot, and that's where it's strength comes from; but it wouldn't hold together if there wasn't a sense of comraderie and cooperation. I believe English should be the only language in mass print and spoken word. All other languages and traditions are very welcome. But in public and on all documentation, etc, I believe it should be English only. We don't want to be like Quebec where everything HAS to be written in English and French, for example. Basically: You wanted to become an American, so learn our language, our laws, our history, etc. Just like the immigrants of years past. I believe a communications test should be mandatory and passed satisfactorily before we allow citizenship to anybody whose first language isn't English. We're losing our cohesiveness as a nation because people are soooo insistent on remaining true to their former country. If it's so great, then go back. If you really want to become an American, then BECOME an American.


Okay, I'm done. I could go on, but it's not PC (which is a whole 'nother subject....) I hope this didn't offend anyone. I'm not the most PC person in the world, but my thoughts aren't law just because I've said them, either. G/L on your assignment, Vanasa!

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iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2005
In reply to: plebmom
Wed, 09-20-2006 - 11:05am
Thanks for the reply.



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