citizen-student?

According to Wikipedia, a person who has “membership in a political community” and has “rights to political participation” is a citizen. A student is “anyone who is learning.” So what exactly is a citizen- student? It is very possible to be a citizen- student just as I am and most people in our class are. Both of my parents were born and raised in Mexico, coming to the United States at a young age. I was born here in America along with my two younger brothers. I was automatically a citizen, and soon became a citizen- student when I started school. Most people take their citizenship for granted. I however don’t. Even though my father has become a citizen through naturalization, my mother is still a complete illegal immigrant. The process of becoming a citizen is extremely long and complicated, even though my mother has been living in the United States for over 20 years now, paying taxes and all.

American citizens should feel obligated to their country to vote. Most people don’t see this as a huge privilege. In most countries the citizens aren’t even given the right to vote. We not only take our citizenship for granted, but also our voting right. I will be voting on November 4th, 2008. I have the right to make a difference, and I will use it. I won’t deny that I need to become more informed on all the political issues and candidates, but I will be informed by then and make my decision.

I will never be serving in the military. It is not necessary for me to serve. I do, however, feel obligated to help those who are and support in any way. It takes a lot for someone to risk their life for their country and people. I try helping in any way that I can, whether it is sending money to the troops or sending old phones, etc. My family has always donated to veterans. And yes, I do thank the random soldiers that I see in the airport. =]

House of Sand and Fog

Kathy Nicolo. Most people would just see her as an incompetent whore whos life is going nowhere. I however, sympathize with her. Being a recovering cocaine addict, having her house stolen from her by the county makes life harder than it already is for her. She is still depressed from her husband leaving her, has no friends, and is seen as a failure by her whole family. She basically has nothing to live for even before she is homeless. Lester seems to be a ray of light in her life. He is her source of hope in everything in the world. When she jumps to conclusions and thinks that Lester has left her, she attempts suicide, twice. Kathy is just one of those people who needs help to go on. She feels bad for Mrs. Behrani, and Esmail. She didn't want anything bad to happen to them. She just wanted her home back which was unrightfully taken from her. The house is the only thing she can come back to and know it is hers. At a point, she even sympathizes with the Colonel, until the point where he hurts her by bruising and strangling her. But who wouldn't have negative feelings for someone who is living in their house and being greedy and not caring bout anyone but him and his family. Mr. Behrani could have easily bought another home after the mistake was known to him. He could have had a heart and agreed to moving whenever he found another home. It's not like he didn't have the money to move somewhere else. He simply just wanted a profit out of Kathy's home. Kathy didn't kill nor hurt any of the Behranis. She even appreciated all that Mrs. Behrani did for her. She felt bad that they had to move.