Book Title : Sahara

Book Author : Clive Cussler

Here in the furnace of the surface of the earth… here in the
scorching grains of the blazing plateau… here in the most desolate
regions where death stenches the air… here in the plains where God is said to abandon… he stood
tall… he and his ruthless band of Malians building his multi-billion dollar company built on
treachery and deceit… where he announce to help the world, but instead had topple it on its fragile
balance… here he stood, creating a monstrosity that is going to engulf our planet in an unthinkable
Armageddon… here in the middle of the shifting sands of the SAHARA!

Dirk Pitt knew something was definitely wrong when he saves a female UN scientist, Dr.
Eva Rojas from a band of assassins on the beach of Egypt. Here in Africa for a historical
underwater research for a lost pharaoh ship on the river Nile, Dirk Pitt, Special Projects Director of
the National Underwater and Marine Agency of NUMA for short, and his trusty sidekick, Al
Giordino was going to get prepared for some serious adventure. As Dr. Rojas head off to Mali for a
research trip planned by the UN concerning some poisoning of water in the middle of the Sahara,
trouble is brewing for the NUMA men as they reassigned to a greater mission by Admiral
Sandecker, head of NUMA himself. When briefed on a grief incident in the African coast, a certain
“red tide“(patches of seaweeds thriving in warmer waters) outbreak that continually consumes
oxygen, the NUMA agents sat silently as the Admiral gave word on the worst possibilities just yet, a
rapid decrease in aerial Oxygen levels. Most disturbingly, they had learned that only in a course of 2
years, if the tide is not stopped as it consumes oxygen, every living creature in the world is going to
be annihilated… total Armageddon.

Finding disturbing evidence of a radioactive poisoning all over the Saharan water system,
especially in Mali, the UN scientist team is about to report about their find when their plane
“accidentally” crashed in the desert on a trip back to Cairo from Mali. Not believing what he heard,
Dirk Pitt and Al Giordino launch a mission to both halt the red tide and recover the UN scientists.
Riding on the dangerous waters of the Malian Niger River to probe with the red tide affair, the
NUMA boat is going to receive a “pleasant” welcoming party prepared by the evil, power-hungry
leader of the Nation, the notorious (and corrupt) General Zateb Kazim. As the NUMA men learns to
cope with the deserts the hard way, General Zateb Kazim and his puppet-government officials are
going all out to kill the NUMA men, obviously protecting a deep-dark secret under the strings of the
government. He vows to pursue them to the ends of the earth to protect the lies he concealed, the
multi-billion dollars enterprise that was hiding some major things from the rest of the world, and
what’s worse, he had a greater man with greater power, offering great amount of money to Kazim
for a great immunity towards law against the world, definitely concealing a great secret!

What disturbing enterprise Pitt and Giordino did find in the middle of the Sahara was
quite… disturbing. An enterprise that had literally fooled the world and laughs at its face! An
business so deep black that no one notices it as Zateb Kazim and his employer probe illegally under
their guise of a perfectly harmless waste detoxification plant… It was the source of the red tide
outbreak as well as the water poisoning in Africa, and when Pitt and Giordino found out the truth,
they know that they had signed their own death warrant in the inhumane mines of Tebezza…

What or where is Tebezza? Can Pitt and Giordino survive this ordeal in the end? What
actually happens to Dr. Eva Rojas and her crew? Is NUMA going to stand down watching two of
their best agents on the struggling in the verge of death? Who is controlling and manipulating the
corrupt General of Mali? Will Zateb Kazim stop at anything to have the NUMA men silenced? Will
our world survive the scourge of the red tide as it corrupts our oxygen? Learn all of the answers in
the mind-boggling escapist-adventure tale of SAHARA!

This is just another sample of Cussler’s best on marine-themed novels. This novel had
prolonged his “New York Times Bestselling Author” title. His other collection of novels is still of
no match to this novel.

What’s intriguing about this novel is that from Cussler’s other books, name it Dragon, Vixen
05, Pacific Vortex, the Atlantis Found, or even Raise the Titanic, none of his novels had actually
used a setting in Sahara, or Africa. The novel Sahara is the first. Sahara is always related to the
“Desert”, but Cussler can manage to make a marine-themed novel out of the Sahara. An interesting
topic to study here is that he can mention details about the bottom of the Niger River, the climates
and the conditions of Africa, the cultures and dictatorship, and even what’s it like to be in the
middle of the desert. He can capture the image of a general who is so accustomed to dictatorship
that he himself was not accustomed to being challenged by others. He can capture also the image of
a proud, selfish, and evil French businessman who is not afraid of his own, untimely demise. Also,
Cussler has shown incredible details involving projects in the book, such as excavation projects,
and that he can relate those projects to the various different economical condition or crisis in other
countries. He can show Sahara inside and out, its sand dunes, its sandstorms, and even imagine
what lay beneath it with such shocking reality, that if we went to Sahara ourselves, we wouldn’t be
surprised if something like what he wrote can actually be true. Again, Clive Cussler had studied the
history of Africa quite well. He can relate the findings he wrote on the book in the middle of the
Saharan Desert with the ancient tribes living beside the ancient riverbeds in the ancient caves of
Western Sahara. It is historically accurate, the condition of the drying riverbed, the extinction of
ancient tribes building caves at the perimeter of the Old Niger River in Western Sahara, when the
region is still vivid and full of life a few hundred years ago. He really does understand much about
what he is going to write. In-depth explanations were given for the historical vents and relics in the
middle of Sahara. It is obvious that he have done a lot of research in the occasion to write his novel
with realistic details, with some historically accurate elements, and having a life-like quality in the
end.

This has brought back to my mind that researching is very important for the success of a
certain work that we are supposed to do. The success of our work usually depends much on this
question, “how much do we know?” As more complex work needed more research, it is of no
wonder that many novels, such as the Sahara, needed many years to finish. I have also learnt that
we can’t just finish a research in a period of a day. That would be far too rushed. We need to be
calm, selective, and wise when we are researching for a research. That’s why when I researched
about something; I would find information in the course of 3-4 days, since new information can
always appear, and that we need to be as complete as possible while researching on a certain topic.
For example, when I researched about historical figures or places, I would need to research for a
longer time, since most documents can be slightly wrong. This has come to my attention when two
different sources mention two different things about a historical figure. Sometimes, fact and
unverified gossip can also “pollute” a document, therefore, in order to confirm that everything is
correct in my research, I would need longer time to search from the different sources available, not
only from the internet, but also from encyclopedias or magazines. If we are researching about
certain rites or rituals in the past, we needed to be extremely careful, because there are usually no
exact descriptions about the details of the rituals, so we need a lot of sources to understand the ritual
completely. If we are researching for some current events, such as the American Election, or the fall
in oil prices, we need to be very up-to-date, since new facts, theories, and events can actually
change the predicted outcome. The fall in oil prices can actually change in a matter of hours, so we
really need to be aware of the current issues happening around the world to finish a research about
it.
Unfathomable : fathom means to probe or to understand. Unfathomable means that something is
unable to be explored or unable to be understood. Unfathomable can refer to
anything, such as things, places, or even beings. It can refer to actions also, such as
the actions of God, or living things, such as animals. It can also refer to anything
unknown in outer space.

Example
What diverse creatures that lie in the depths of the Marianas Trench is unfathomable without an
exploration.

Struts : a bar or rod. Struts in the context here refer to struts used on an amphibious
airplane’s landing gear. Struts generally refer to anything of any size that supports
something on its top. Usually a strut is placed vertically to support vertical pressure.
It is also used diagonally in airplanes to support landing. There are no struts that are
used horizontally, because it is used for vertical pressure.

Example
The struts for the Cessna 170 had broken apart under the tremendous pressure from the large wave
while the pilot is flying low on the Pacific

Ravine : a small and narrow valley. Ravines are usually found in deserts where
earthquakes or tectonic slides are found. It took the form of a shallow and narrow
valley, usually no more than 3 meters deep in deserts, and filled with sand. I think it
occurs because of geographical and plate movements, creating subtle shockwaves
that splits the ground.

Example
He fell into the ravine and broke his leg while he was touring the desert.

Gaunt : Thin or bony. Gaunt here refers to both terrain and humans. If a person is
remarked as having a gaunt profile, it means that the person is lanky, thin, and bony.
If a certain place, a valley for example, is described as a gaunt valley, so it is narrow
or small.

Example
His gaunt features are amplified under the dim lights, making him look like a walking skeleton.

Fraudulent : deceitful. This is a quality that frauds have. We can call moles or spies having a
fraudulent quality, since being fraudulent means being very deceitful. It usually only
refers to people or animals, not things, since being deceitful came from something
done, and inanimate objects rarely are called fraudulent.

Reprieve : relieve. A reprieve means a delay of a certain bad thing to come. For example, in
the case of an execution, if someone is about to be executed, but because of some
reasons the execution is delayed, that means that the person was granted a temporary
reprieve. Reprieves such as in executions can come from God or it can come from a
decree from people such as the president. Reprieve can also refer to something
simple, like the delay of a test.

Example
This is a good reprieve because I haven’t studied for the math test yesterday.
Nabob : a person of great wealth or power. A nabob means a person who is granted great
power, usually referring or governors or kings. A great nabob means a person with
great power or great influence in a large community, such as in a country.

Example
He is an even greater nabob than his predecessor. He controls almost all of the country’s exports.

Jackstaff : a pole at the bow of a ship. Ships’ flags are known as jacks, and the pole to hang
those flags are known as jackstaffs. They are vertical poles, not more than 2 meters
height from the tip of the bow. These are usually found in research ships or small
ships, not commercial tankers or larger ships.

Example
Are you going to install the jackstaff to our yacht yet? I want to design our own flag.

Incorrigible : not able to be amended or corrected. This is a quality usually given to a person who
is always right or who is hardheaded and stubborn. It can refer to a person of great
knowledge that he is usually right, or to a person who is so stubborn about his ideas
that his mind will never be changed by anything.

Example
You are so incorrigible! I told you to mash the potato first, but you insist on making the dressing
first!
 Book Title : Hong Kong

Book Author : Stephen Coonts

During the hurtful reign of the communist in China,
Hong Kong has suffered. A lone man, determined to topple
the government has made a desperate stand against the
ruthless communist and was beaten down. Now, he plots his revenge in hiding for the greatest
turmoil in Chinese history! Danger is closer than you think in Hong Kong!

Stumbling upon the corpse of China Bob Chan, a rich “black-world” businessman minutes
after his death in his office in Hong Kong, CIA agent Tommy Carmellini has unknowingly stepped
on a case that has killed his colleague one week ago while “bugging” (planting bugs) the dead
man’s office. Now determined to solve the case, Carmellini took out the tape of the bugs’ record and
fled. Under the surveillance of his employer, 2-star Rear Admiral Jake Grafton from the U.S. navy,
he went to unveil the truth. Jake Grafton and his wife, Callie Grafton was in Hong Kong by the
order of the Pentagon. He is here to find out what’s happening with Tiger Cole, the U.S. consul-
general to Hong Kong. The pentagon has suspected the ambassador of being in a money raising
scandal with a secret underground group, aiming to topple the communist regime. After hearing the
tape brought by Carmellini, Callie was kidnapped by a Mafia warlord planning to get more and
more money out of anyone he can hit.

Tiger Cole, the U.S. consul general is indeed deeply involved in a money-raising scandal for
Wu Tai Kwong, the leader of a rebel faction planning to capture Hong Kong and China and topple
the communist regime. He and his band of rebels have ordered special machines from the U.S. most
secret weapon manufacturer to aid in both of their invasion of China: without the authorization nor
the knowledge of the U.S. government. He and Rip Buckingham, the chairman of China Post has
agreed to help the rebel to finish their final goal, unify China under a democratic rule. Desperately
looking for his kidnapped wife, Jake Grafton found himself helping the rebels fighting in the depth
of a high-tech civil war for democracy, liberty, and justice. As Tommy Carmelinni dug deeper to the
unknown, he found out something bigger than a killed CIA agent, he found the plot of an insidious
betrayal from the inside of the rebel faction. It looks like the mafia has gotten their hands deep
inside the rebel faction.

As the first successful strike of the invasion is launched, Wu Tai Kwong was kidnapped by
the mafia as the faction continues without him. Fifty million dollars was to be paid if Wu is to come
back alive. Continuing without a leader, the faction seems almost hopeless fighting the increasingly
powerful Chinese Army. Only one way is left… recover Wu and continue with the invasion. Jake
Grafton and Tommy Carmellini volunteered themselves to penetrate the depths of the mafia
organization to recover both Callie and Wu. The news of a penetration in the rebel faction has
created chaos everywhere, and the whole faction is in a threat of falling apart. As the faction refuses
to pay the ransom, confident that Grafton and Carmellini would recover their leader in time, the
mafia fumes and decided to ship a special package to the rebel’s doorstep, a freshly “amputated”
finger of Wu Tai Kwong. They promised a lot more to cut if the rebels don’t pay. Meanwhile, as the
secret weapons have arrived from the U.S. Tiger Cole has launched an almost suicidal attack against
the army, until… the civilians have decided to join their attack by robbing weaponries from the
police arsenal in Hong Kong. There will be blood, as how Tiger Cole promised… but there is
nothing good in China that can be bought without blood. Looks like there will be lots of blood
indeed.
 Who is the mole planning to betray the faction? How will Jake Grafton and Tommy
Carmellini penetrate the mafia hideout? How will the Chinese government act against the uprising?
Will both Wu and Callie be freed from the mafia’s grasp? What will become of Hong Kong, already
a powder keg ready to explode? What will the U.S. government do to their agents inside Hong
Kong? Find out all of the answers in the explosive, mind-boggling novel of HONG KONG!

This is another of Stephen Coonts’ Jake Grafton Novel. Besides novels like Cuba, the
Minotaur, America, and Liberty, Hong Kong is one of the most explosive novels which are not an
aerial-assault novel type. Most of Coonts other novels tell stories about aerial warfare and aerial
assaults, but Hong Kong is not one of them. It focuses on artilleries and actions on land.

What’s interesting about this novel is that this novel can capture the turmoil in China quite
well. It is a little weird for Stephen Coonts to be writing about political turmoil, considering his
background as a naval aviator. Coonts can also combine political turmoil and the mental conflict of
many different characters in the novel. Adding mental conflicts along with political conflicts is
quite intriguing, as it may attract many readers. It is also very interesting that Stephen Coonts as a
naval aviator can write a good politic novel, as well as a great thriller novel. Coonts know how to
build suspense. This novel can actually capture the mental conflict of Jake Grafton, who is very
deranged after his wife is kidnapped, the conflicts of Tiger Cole, who must resign from his post,
leave all of his money, and must go on a life-or-death tour around China for the good of the
Chinese civilians. It can also take emotions of the confused rebels when they lost their leader. It can
also take into account the feelings of the mole inside faction when she is nearly caught by Tommy
Carmellini. It can also capture the twisted mind of a fiendish mi warlord who has no idea who is he
going to face and what consequences he must suffer in the hands of Jake Grafton. It does not only
capture the minds and the feelings of many, but it also can combine these elements with politics. It
can combine the politics of Japan, the U.S., and China. It can combine the detailed policies of the
ruthless governor of Hong Kong with the civilians’ tireless opposition against the policies. It is a
very interesting novel to read, especially to those who like political-thrillers or action novels. It can
vividly combine two essences as one. It is both very interesting and very thrilling. Bravo Stephen
Coonts!

I’ve learned that to make a good novel, we must not only concentrate on a certain essence,
such as only in wars or only in the action, but we should combine the many aspects of humanity to
the novel. Stephen Coonts had written an incredible novel. It is a good example if we want to write
our own novel, since when we write a novel, I have learned not to make it monotonic, but very
alluring and elaborative. A novel that elaborates the leaders to see from different point of views and
from different essences, bringing them to suspenseful scenes, emotional scenes, those filled with
hatred, those filled with foreboding, and those filled with despair are good ways to elaborate a piece
of literature. By bringing readers to emotional feelings, writers can attract many readers. For
example, when I tried to write a novel, I would not just give suspense and action, although those
two things are really great attributes toward a novel, but I wouldn’t dedicate my novel to those two
things only. I would write a very detailed description of each character’s traits and feelings, and
play around with then enough so that they wouldn’t lose their character but their internal moral and
feelings would be enough too stimulate the readers to cry, to laugh, to feel pity, and to display
explicitly many different emotions while reading the novel. I’ve learned to play with the reader’s
suspense and pity, I would like to learn more to make the readers sad and even make them feel a
sense of guilt that they have contributed something about an event in the story in real life. It is great
to read and try to compile novels, since in novels we can freely express all of our feelings with long
and detailed descriptions, making them as vivid and as life-like as possible.
Incarcerated : Imprisoning someone. To incarcerate means to imprison (literally) someone or
something. It can also mean to confine. It is no used on events such as grounding
children, but is more like confining someone to a prison as the result of a violation
of a law that a person has committed, and the person is jailed for it.

Example
He was incarcerated for 5 days because he was driving while drinking.

Footloose : Free. A footloose person is someone who has no ties whatsoever to anyone. It can
actually refer to nomads, or it can refer to someone single, still having no ties to a
family, free to do many things, or not restricted by more rules or obligations.

Example
He is still as footloose now as he was in the old days.

Discretionary : something being discreet. It can mean secrets, ranging from small secrets to those
of governmental secrecy. Secrets here refer to anything ranging from childhood
secrets or discrete government papers kept in confined bunkers.

Example
The whole conversation is discretionary. It is not to be revealed to anyone outside this circle.

Point-blank : direct, close. Point-blank here refers to gunfire or missiles. Firing something at
point-blank range means that firing the target as close as possible. Firing at point-
blank range can mean to put the pistol right on the side of someone’s head and firing
it, making it so close that the projectile will take only a millisecond to hit the target.

Example
He fired the gun at point blank range to achieve such a clean kill.

Mulling : to think calmly. When somebody mulls over something that means that the person
is pondering or meditating over something in order to create a wise decision of a
certain problem.

Example
He was mulling about the choices to take for his Senior High Years.
Health & Science
http://www.time.com/time/health/article/0,8599,1859018,00.html

Fast Food's Secret Ingredient: Corn

By Kate Pickert, Made: Friday, Nov. 14, 2008

Fast food chains are very reluctant about telling consumers how their food gets from the
field to the feedlot to the drive-thru window. Why? A researcher at the University of Hawaii Ms.
Hope Jahren, believed that the consumers have a right to know how their food is made or
manufactured. Her research, which involves sampling from 500 different products originating from
McDonalds, Wendy’s, and Burger King, concludes that all of the meats in these products is derived
from a single source, corn. She does so by tracing the vegetables’ chemical markers. Why Corn?
Because corn is heavily used in the feedlots as cattle feed, and it is very effective to fatten the cattle
before being slaughtered and shipped. Corn, as a single-sourced based diet is very unsustainable for
the environment, because corn needs a lot of water and fertilizer to grow. So, if grown in a large
amount, it can be unsustainable. In an interview, Ms. Hope Jahren said that this research is not
about fast food, but about the American diet, and particularly the calories consumed by Americans.
She studied the food from 6 different large cities in the U.S., such as L.A., San Francisco, Detroit,
Boston, and so on. The motive of the research, as she states is to question the American diet of
meat. The meat consumed by Americans is said to be one-and-a-half times than the 2nd country on
the “meat consumer list”, which is Germany. When asked specifically about studying corn, Ms.
Hope Jahren answered that corn has been suspiciously subsidized by the government, and it is
criticized that it consumes too much fertilizer, irrigation, and fuel for the use of machines. Another
intriguing fact in the study is that most of the chicken coming to fast food restaurants comes from a
chicken farm called Tyson. In the end, Ms. Hope Jahren also states, “If you go and sit in one of
these (fast food) restaurants for several hours or if you visit a lot of them, there's just kind of a
real aura of misery and unhappiness — both in the place and the folks coming in and out. It's
striking compared to other restaurants. I think that's what influenced me more than
anything.”
An aspect that I’ve learned from the structure of the article is that the article can combine
the research with many current events happening. I am also intrigued by the ability of the writer to
show the humanity side and the scientific sides of the research. It can combine the feelings of the
researchers about the people who consumed fast food, her concern for the American diet, and
scientific facts regarding the use of corn and corn oil for health and for the American economy
(such as using too much fertilizer, fuel, and water for developing corn). I see that this article can
answer what many had not been able to get answers from. It is intriguing, since as I had observed,
understanding the process of the manufacture of the food products until they came to the store is
very hard because of the unavailability of complete information. Usually, the information shared
publicly is promotional information, such as that the restaurant uses high-quality products, or that it
uses imported foods from such and such countries, but this didn’t show anything that is used in the
process at all. Such information is important to know, because as the researcher in the article says,
customers have a right to know what they are eating. It answers much questions about fast foods.
This article has relatively simple vocabulary, and that the writer supports all of the data with
scientific facts and by including the procedure of the research. This article can be related on how
I’ve learned that research that are done have to be beneficial for many others, it has to answer other
people’s questions and it has to benefit other people. Generally, people research to finish problems
or to identify problems, and I’ve learned to research based on humanity, developing a research
question concerning the good of others, the benefit of the community and the country. I’ve learned
to actually include thinking of others and my community in a research. I don’t research just for
myself or for grades anymore, but researching for the good of many others, or to identify the
problems and improve upon them. I used to think that researching is just to benefit for my own self,
for my well-being or for my grades or for my own personal knowledge. But if so, why would
anyone publish their research? I learned that by researching and identifying problems, I have
contributed into making a better life, and even making a better community, even in my own family.
So, I concluded that a good research should have the humanity side, the concern of what’s
happening to others, the selfless motivation that we are going to help many by researching a certain
problem. So, now I think that research is not judged by the area it researches upon, but by the area it
could benefit in the end.
Health & Science
http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1856987,00.html

Taking On King Coal

By Bryan Walsh, Published: Wednesday, Nov. 05, 2008

In the morning of September 15, 2008, a “peaceful” war had broken in rural Wise County,
Virginia. Here, activists from an assortment of environmental groups called the Dominion 11
banded together to form a human barrier to block access to a coal plant being built by the
Dominion company. Though recorded as an act of trespassing and civil disobedience, the police
handled the situation nice and easy and even offered the activists breakfast if they unchained
themselves (although they declined). In the end, each was charged with a $400 fine as a
punishment. But this is nowhere close to the “punishment” the Dominion coal plant is going to give
the environment if it is finished. It is stated in the article, “If completed, the plant will emit 5.3
million tons of CO2 a year into the atmosphere, roughly the equivalent of putting a million
more cars on the road”. Coal plants in the U.S. itself had contributed 40% of the greenhouse gases
production each year. This is not stopping global warming. "Business as usual can't continue as
long as coal is destroying the climate," says Hannah Morgan, 20 years old, one of the Dominion
11 activists. "We are not going to back down." Activists are fighting with everything they got in
their arsenal these days, and whenever a new plant seems to be built, a “riot” is usually found near
the plant. More and more activists are heeding Al Gore’s call to combat global warming and have
been also lobbying financiers to stop investing in the coal business. "People are willing to put
their reputations and their livelihoods and physical well-being on the line for the climate,"
says Scott Parkin, an organizer for the Rainforest Action Network (an environmentalist group) who
has been involved in the Dominion campaign in Virginia. This protest is just the latest from the
growing stream of protests coming from activists all over America. Perhaps it is the time to change.
Al Gore, in The Clinton Global initiative meeting in New York City announced that this is now the
age for the civil disobedience against the construction on more and more coal plants.
What’s interesting about this article is actually its topic. This article covers the topic of civil
disobedience, which we have deemed to be bad, in a new light. We can see here that the civil
disobedience is not just a rebellious and anarchist form of disrespect for the government or a certain
group, but it is an orderly, safe, rational, and reasonable form of protest to save the environment.
Although it is of course, wrong, but it is growing, and we can now see that more and more people
would want to sacrifice their reputations, livelihoods, and well-being on the line just to have the
climate saved. The Dominion 11’s efforts to save nature are very inspiring. This should make people
more and more aware of the conditions right now. In Pennsylvania, for example, a coal plant is built
near a playground. This is just wrong! This article can capture the humanity of the environmental
activist, their message, their daring quest for the earth, their persistence and the rage of the people to
coal plants and what they have done to the environment. This article is very inspiring, since it
shows that people were not reluctant to sacrifice their reputation for the sake of nature. It can also
show how does the condition relates to the condition of coal plants now, of how some politicians (in
the article, Al gore) actually support such forms of civil disobedience in return for a better climate
and nature. It can make people realize the humanity; it can even make politicians aware of the
people’s voice. If the calmer way can not accomplish the goal, then people really dedicated to
saving nature would risk their own well-being on the line to get a better future. This is what’s
inspiring and intriguing about this article! Of what people is willing to give to obtain a better
environment for us all. Again, I have leant that I should care more about nature. Their persistence is
not just inspiring for us to save nature, but it’s also a good reminder of our own duties. Their efforts
are inspiring in terms that for the well being of others, even for the well being of others who didn’t
care about nature at all, they are willing to put their well being and their reputation on the line. Such
efforts are really something we should have. We should always concentrate on our duties, even if
we have to persist and persevere harder than that. I have also learned that we should be willing to
sacrifice something for ours for the well-being of many others. This is what had built countries in
the first place, the will of someone who is not afraid to establish a better community no matter what
the costs might be. We can rake example of President Soekarno for example. Although imprisoned
and threatened, he is not afraid to put his well-being and even his whole life to support and then
built Indonesia from the ashes of the Dutch’s reign. What some people had actually dare to do to
change people that doesn’t even care for them is very inspiring, and it is definitely a quality needed
by people who are willing to be leaders, the will to sacrifice some aspects in his life for others,
possessing selfless attitudes, the sacrifice for the benefit of many, even for humanity. In conclusion,
what I learned from this article is that we should not only have the will to persist, but also the will
to sacrifice and step ahead to take charge of a risky situation for the benefits of many others. These
are the true characters of a great and truly dedicated leader.

Trivial : having of little importance. The word trivial can be applied for consequences of
certain actions. When we say that the consequences are not trivial, that means that
the consequences are not small and simple, but tends to be very punishing and hard
for the “guilty party”. It can also refer to generally anything having of little
importance.

Example
He just burst into the principal’s office without knocking. The consequences he got is not trivial.

Sequester : to set apart. Generally it can involve any fission reaction or any physical reaction
of setting things apart. In the article, it refers to setting apart the carbons made by
burning coal and set it apart more in the ground. It can refer to physically setting
things apart, or chemically setting things apart. It can refer to the action done by
living things or done by nature.

Example
We need to sequester the whole machinery before we can fix the caburator.

Lawsuits : Lawsuit is a suit in law. A lawsuit is actually an action in court regarding to a law. It
involves prosecutors and attorneys. It is an action to get certain people to attend
court as a form of objection for certain actions the accused as done in the past that
the prosecutor

Example
I’m going to launch a lawsuit against Darren’s company. He made me lost 5 million dollars!

Picketed : to picket is actually to fence around a certain perimeter. The fence is generally a
picket fence, usually made of wood, not metal. Picket fences are usually fences that
are used by protesters. Protesters, like in the article, environmentalists put picket
fences around the perimeter of the coal plant to prevent any worker from entering.
Picket fences are usually wooden fences that are set up hastily.

Example
We’ll picket the area 50 meters from the central terrorist hideout before we burst in.
Election ‘08
http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1856649,00.html

Obama's Victory Ushers in a New America

By Joe Klein, Published: Wednesday, Nov. 05, 2008

A true leader has the power to change others. That is exactly Barack Obama. Following his
victory in the U.S. presidential election, Barack Obama had started to form The New America, or,
as how the Times magazine put it, “The New World”. Eleven months ago, in a Democrat speech to
uncommitted voters, Mr. Joe Klein had observed the numerous Republicans available. Although not
committed yet to voting for the Democrats, these Republicans are voicing their disappointment in
George W. Bush’s era, about the Iraq War, and the Republicans’ right-winged religious drift.
Another phenomenon that the author had observed is that the organizer Obama sent out has really
impressed the people of Algona. The young organizer, Nate Hundt, had really blended into the
society in Algona. In the article it is stated that, “Hundt had opened a campaign headquarters in
the H&R Block office downtown, joined a local environmental group, shown up for the high
school football games. He was a constant presence at civic events. Eventually, Hundt became
so much a part of the community that the town leaders asked him to stay on after the caucuses
and run for city council.” Hundt had been transferred to Colorado and many other regions during
the course of the election, but he maintained close relationship with many he had met. Indeed
Obama had been using the services of more than 700 community organizers throughout the whole
U.S. Although Rudy Giuliani, as a Republican elect had sneered upon Obama for using community
organizers, those community organizers are the future of the nation itself. The use of Community
Organizers fits the political philosophy that Obama had mentioned in his campaigns: blending with
the people of the nation. The author had observed a stark difference between the two candidates,
McCain and Obama. While McCain is still the “right-winged” politician, emphasizing on military
power rather than diplomacy, Obama had been closer to the citizens and had focused on diplomacy.
While McCain is still the old-fashioned politician who concentrates on making the rich richer, on
the higher-class politics, concentrating on big businessmen, Obama had been seeing the “little
people”, the lower-middle class civilians. This election is not just a matter of issues, but it is a
matter of a reformation, of making a real America, not a White America, but a Real America, where,
“After eight years of misgovernance, it (America) has lost some of its global swagger ... but
also some of its arrogance. It may no longer be as dominant, economically or diplomatically,
as it once was. But it is younger, more optimistic, less cynical. It is a country that retains its
ability to startle the world — and in a good way, with our freedom. It is a place, finally, where
the content of our President's character is more important than the color of his skin.”
What’s interesting about this article is how a leader can actually change his country, even the
world just days after his election. What’s interesting is that the writer can actually go into the details
of the difference between Barack Obama and John McCain and the impact that each of them
brought to America. The Writer had known much about their campaign tactics, such as the usage of
community organizers by Barack Obama and its relevance to Barack Obama’s ideals and
personality. It is obvious that the writer had researched much about Barack Obama, politics, and the
needs of the American people. It is amazing how the writer puts it in a form which invites readers
and allows readers to view a little about the election, American history and the true needs of the
American people. He can capture the contrast between Barack Obama’s humble, well-planned, and
patient tactics to McCain’s brash, aggressive, and “arrogant” tactics. He can capture McCain in his
arrogance and unneeded aggressiveness, relates them with American history, and even shows his
faults in his campaign. He can mention how Barack Obama’s different tactics succeed, how he can
motivate people to change, how he gets closer to people with his tactics and show them his
programs, how he had fulfilled the character of the American people’s view of a true leader worthy
of the key of the White House. The writer uses lots of hard terms, but he can manage to make
people understand the whole picture without opening a dictionary. He can also make people see the
true desires of the American people, how they are tired of their old skin and how they have decided
to change how they look in the eyes of the world. Their desire to be seen not as an arrogant and
selfish country, but as a free, optimistic, young, and as a country where racial differences doesn’t
affect what they chose for a leader is widely covered. The big picture of America is now as a
country where the characters of its president are more important than the color of his skin.
I have learned to be more sensitive to others and my surroundings. In any situation, I have
learned to always be aware of my surroundings, either people, or just my environment. Being aware
of other people’s feelings towards me is also important, since it is one of the best ways to a void any
resentment with anyone at all. To avoid any bitter friction with others, knowing other people is very
important. In a team, when working with other people, we need to be aware of other people’s
feelings. In a team, especially when we are a leader, we need to take into account of our member’s
feelings when assigned to certain duties. They might not like it at all because it is not of their
specialty. If possible, of course we need to change their role in the team. When we are working in a
team, the whole point is not of individual capability, but of harmonist relationship and the will of
the members to work together to achieve a goal. If a team is not bonded together, it will fail. This
usually can be found to be a simple point if the members do understand each other, but if the
members are not willing to cooperate well enough with each other or if there are any resentment
between the members, then the point would be a big problem. I have an experience when I am
appointed as a temporary team leader. In this team I am not familiar of any of the members, and that
what had happened in the end, is that one of the member had not cooperate very well because we
are actually walking too fast (this is in the outbound). The member has been lagging behind at many
occasions when walking, but I have not taken it seriously. At the end, the member resented the
whole team. Although through a small session together the whole resentment is over, I have learned
that to avoid such resentments, we need to understand others and our environment better to act as
well as we can. Like with Barack Obama, he have learned from the past, what the American people
actually wants, of his surroundings and of the true problems, and had reacted accordingly. That is
one of the traits of a real leader: having a heart for others.

Synergy : Interaction or the fusion of different groups. In the article above, it refers to cross-
racial synergy, meaning that people of different races will be combined together. This
means that people of different races will be having a more equal right. Synergy can
also refer to many different aspects which are combined together.

Example
The whole event on global warming will definitely tighten international synergy to face the threats.

Substantive : Real. Substantive means the actual or the concrete thing. In the article above,
substantive refers to the real heart of the campaign, meaning what the campaign is
actually all about. It can not only refer to campaigns, but also to anything concrete
and real. It can refer to any context involving the word real. It’s the synonym of real.

Example
The citizens are the substantive heart of the whole nation.

Deregulatory : Removal of some specific regulations. It can refer to removing specific regulations
involving small regulations at learning establishments or even regulations at
international levels. It involves removal of certain regulations, usually during a new
reign; people would change some specific regulations to suit with the current
 conditions. Generally anything that involves breaking down some rules and
regulations can be called a deregulatory action.

Example
The new principal deregulates 60% of the school’s policy to suit the new policy the government has
applied this school year.

Overarching : To create an arch over something. It can refer to a human creating an arch over
something, but it can also refer to certain structures. It generally refers to anything
creating a structure arching something under it.

Example
He was building that thing to overarch the whole parliament builing.

Segregation : To cut off from others or to separate. This usually refers more to ethnic groups,
separating by religions, or separating people by social standards. It generally means
the act of grouping together specific people in specific groups depending on the
different criteria set. To segregate something means to categorize them under certain
criteria.

Example
They are the members of the anti-racial-segregation group. They are very active in protests against
racial differentiation.
November 17 2008 Issue

The New Silk Road

By Stanley Reed, Pp. 46-50

After the death of the Silk Road in the Middle Ages, the bonds between Asia and the Middle
East are being revitalized again in the section of trade. Although New Delhi and Dubai is so far
away and so different, they both made a part of the New Silk Road. The trade is noted to not have
been dominated by any of the two sides, but rather flows both ways in the end. As Middle East
needs more Asian goods, the Asians needed the Middle East. Annually, the trade has been growing
by 30%. Investments have been growing by 55% at the last decade. Investments have risen by 55%
in the last decade of trade between the Middle East and Asia. Merchants in Dubai for example, have
been benefiting much from the trade establishment. "Power is moving from West to East," Al-
Muhairy, a merchant from
Dubai, in the picture below
says. "It is a huge
opportunity." Asia has also a
grasp in Africa’s oil, since the
new Silk Road, the bond
between Asia and the Middle,
East, now including Africa has
been growing exponentially.
Africa’s oil has made
investments in the trading road
very profitable. It is also noted
that fortunes are built from
mostly gold, oil, and pearl. "We are seeing serious investment
flows from Asia to the Middle East," says Rachid Mohamed
Rachid, Egypt's trade & industry minister. Trades are not as old as it
is used to be. It uses the old routes, but it covers a new section of
trade: oil and stock. China, one of the world’s main financial
powers, has been noted to also join much of the trade. "Everybody
knows about China and the U.S.," says the 44-year-old Nadira
Sultan. "We are making investments in the trade that takes
place within Asia." Now, instead of old buildings, the whole road
is full of skyscrapers and new buildings. This economical growth is
very exponential that it promotes many mega projects to occur in
Asia. The amount of Economical growth and investment is mind-
boggling, almost arm-twisting, and it is still growing, just like Asia
and Africa. This article is
very interesting since it can combine essences of the old Silk Road
with modern day trading quite well. The author can gave specific historical facts about the old Silk
Road and what does traders traded during the old times. The author can gave a sense of authenticity
by putting lots and lots of quotes in the article. The author gave it a sense of modernity by giving
modern facts about the trading in the are nowadays. The author can successfully give numerals and
graphs in the article to support his argument of the growing economical trade between Asia, Middle
East, and Africa now. The author can also made the article very interesting by giving lots of
compliments about investments in the article. This will make many businessmen interested since the
investments in the area reaches tens of millions of dollars. I have learned to combine essences of
history with the future. An article combining those two can successfully make both an authentic
article and a one that is interesting for all. What’s interesting for many is the fact that the article
shows things that has lots of promises and profits it could offer. A sense of authenticity came from
its history, its origins. So, I have learned that when I made an article I must take into account the
history and the promises it held.
Volume 26, Number 201
Tuesday, 18th November 2008

Many Questions Left Unanswered after G-20 meeting: Analysts

By: Eric Talmadge
Associated Press / Tokyo

Analysts, investors, and even the media expressed concern at the development of the G-20
summit. The meeting, involving 21 leaders of the nation, is welcomed as a first step in tackling the
problem of the global financial crisis. The whole ordeal is labeled as high on symbolism, but low
on action. The whole ordeal had put off many hopes on a concrete action to undertake the problem.
Because of the low expectations on any concrete achievement before the second summit on April,
there is almost no change in the economy. “To put it harshly, there is little point in trying to
figure out ways to prevent a disease once a patient is sick,” Shinichi ishikawa, a Credit Suisse
Japan analyst was saying. This skepticism is the conclusion of many analysts around the world
responding to no specific “prescriptions” to heal the global economical condition. Many investors
hoping for a great achievement from the summit are clearly disappointed in the end. “The leaders
supported the benefits of enacting government spending to stimulate their economies but
stopped short of a commitment for all to act at the same time, as some Europeans had
favored,” as how T.J. Bond, a Merrill Lynch economist is Hong Kong was saying. China though,
had been promised to have a bigger role in creating a better global economy, very special for a
developing country. Symbolism doesn't get far, it only is idealistic, but it doesn't get concrete. When
there's a start in action, everybody should be much happier. The world leaders though, had promised
a development in terms of the access for developing countries to financing from the International
Monetary Fund, or the IMF. This could have helped many developing countries in Asia who had
suffered much from scarcity of foreign currency and had driven down exchange rates. Japan offered
a large IMF injection worth US$100 billion. China had not appealed for any injections. Australia
though is just relieved that the treaty does not endorse a retreat to protectionism to shield a country's
domestic economies from cheaper imports.
I think that this article had expressed the concerns and the disappointment of the many
analysts all around the world. This article captures all of the disappointed minds of the analysts in
Hong Kong, in Europe, and even the minds of the disappointed businessman hoping for a change in
New York. Besides that, what’s interesting about this article is that this article explicitly shows the
need of action is everyone’s expectation for world summit meetings. This is just an example of the
need of action. People expect leaders to do, not to speak only. Speak less, do more. In this article, it
is seen how businessmen and analysts all over the world is disappointed with the lack of concrete
actions the world leaders is going to adopt after the summit. I think that this article can be a great
insight for many politicians in the world. In the next summit, articles like these, criticizing the lack
of governmental actions towards the global financial crisis, can be a turning point in the next
summit that finally politicians are going to actually take concrete actions to prevent the global
financial crisis to increase in strength. I assume that politicians won’t turn their deaf ears to articles
such as these, and I believe they will work better to sum up a conclusion in the next summit to
adopt to change the course of the ongoing crisis. This is why we need the freedom of press, because
a criticizing press is what had motivated many to actually improve upon themselves if they have the
chance to do so. The press is like a mirror, in which people could reflect upon themselves. I assume
the politicians, the world leaders would reflect upon themselves through articles such as these. Let
there be a change and an improvement in the next G-20 summit!
 This article reminds me of something I have learned in LDKS. I have learned that to be a
good leader, we must act properly and swiftly. In many games in LDKS, we have to decide quickly
at many times. We have to decide whether to stop and take a break, whether to move along at
certain times. I have learned that to be a good leader we must not wait, but we must decide. Waiting
is not a wise option at certain times. If we are committed to do some work, we must not wait to do
them it is not a good habit to wait or delay, but we should always act as swiftly and as carefully as
possible. For example, when Mr. Rick asked me to lead the group to find 50 names for the Santa for
an Angel Program, I have to work swiftly because the deadline is only 4 days after the
announcement. I have to decide quickly who does what, and I have to gather together with certain
people at times to discuss the plans. It is important for me to not only come to a meeting and then
talk about the program but accomplishing nothing at all, but also to have some concrete plans to
arrange working times outside of school time, to organize people who are going to orphanages, to
organize people who are going to take notes in the orphanages, and to list more meeting schedules
with the other members. When we gather, it is important to have something good in the end, not
only by speculating, but by laying out the foundation of the whole activity in written form, get
everybody’s approvals, and become committed to finish each and every action according to the
schedule or even improvise on it. It is important to act swiftly and not to slack off at our work. The
future belongs to those who act, not to those who only think.
U.S.
San Francisco Journal
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/05/us/05garage

At Specialty Garage, Making Hybrids Even Greener

By Felicity Barringer, Published: November 4, 2008

At the time where global warming is a big issue, hybrid cars pose as a solution to all of our
problems. In San Francisco bay, a dedicated woman and a Specialty Garage had done just that,
making hybrids even greener. Ms. Carolyn Coquilette, 30, is really fussy about cleanliness. The way
she took care of her garage’s hygiene it almost seems like “you could eat off her floor” said Ms.
Sara Bernard, the customer in need of brake repair. Luscious is one of the few specialty garages that
run in the Bay Area, which has more Toyota Priuses (a hybrid car) than any other region in San
Francisco. Luscious is not just a garage which fixes hybrid cars, but it also made hybrid cars as
100% electric cars, not using any gasoline anymore. This enables the car to run 12 to 15 miles
without stopping in one charge. Why do people turn to use 100% electric cars? Ms. Coquilette had
said, “Some people are very tech-savvy, so they like it. Some people are extreme
environmentalists, so they like it. Some just want to burn less gas.” A customer said that when
he uses gasoline, he spends $100 a month for gasoline, but electric cars are way cheaper and
environmentally friendly. What the garage does to the Priuses is just inserting 20 small batteries
which prolonged the power storage capability. For this, the Toyota Company takes on a neutral
stance, saying that it would not have void the cars’ warranty, except if the modifications caused the
problems, and that Toyota neither discourage it or encourage it. Ms. Coquilette, a postgraduate from
the University of Michigan had done her business in a tight budget, and it’s actually about self-
conscience, as she shows “green” through not only her business, but also most of her actions. She
recycles almost everything she can found, from food wrappings to used air filters. She said that for
the environment, driving is a necessary evil, even in hybrids such as Priuses, and that what the
garage is trying to do is just to minimize the impacts.
What’s interesting about this article is that this article can combine the issue we have today,
scientific facts, combines them with electric cars, one of our solutions to global warming today,
with the life of a person, her motivation, and the fact that in the end, the electrical cars benefits
everyone. This article can show the concrete example of the advantages of using electrical cars in
real-life, where it shows the efforts of Ms. Coquilette to run her garage, and some quotes from
customers who are satisfied with the benefits that the electric cars has. It is also interesting how the
author can combine Ms. Coquilette’s life, economical conditions, her education, and her motive for
humanity and the environment all in one article, but still concentrates in the electric car in the end.
Also, by providing the quotes from Toyota itself, which produces the original hybrid cars which are
going to be modified can actually act as an enforcer or as an authority. Yes, the mention of Toyota
Company itself can add as an authority for the writing, so it is not based only on the garage or its
customers, but it also involves the higher-ups in the Toyota Company. It is also important to take
note that the article took the motive of Ms. Coquilette and can also show how her motive affects
even her daily life, such as always recycling everything she can find, focusing on cleanliness, and
even working in her garage without “sufficient” profit, since her income can’t be considered much
at all, and how she does that following her conscience, which is reducing the impact of the evil of
driving to the environment. One thing I’ve learned that most of people’s perspective about using
hybrid cars as unpractical and unprofitable, since they used to think that hybrid cars require more
complex maintenance and eventually, more money. This perspective is quite common, since that
many, especially politicians do not extract any profits anymore from gasoline sales. In America,
when the Californian governor, Arnold Schwarzenegger, suggests the complete deployment, and
eventually, replacement of most gasoline-using cars by hybrid cars, the president at the time,
George W. Bush, had deemed it unprofitable and not beneficial for the American economy. This is
quite irrelevant to the truth behind hybrid cars. Not only does it saves the environment by using less
fuel, but it also actually enables the government to save more fuel. The fuel saved can then be used
for other purposes, such as for producing more and more electricity for the country. In addition, it
also reduces the amount of money spent by citizens on fuel, so they become more economists, thus
creating a both more sustainable society and helps its citizens save money for a better use. It might
not be profitable at the short range term for the government, but I can say that by using hybrid cars,
like stated in the article above, people who uses them only for a distance under 15 miles a day
would not have to use any gasoline, saving more to compensate for a possible energy crisis or fuel
crisis. With more and more citizens able to save more money, that means that the American society
would eventually turn wealthier and wealthier. By making the overall economy of the nation to
prosper in the end is to make the life of many both socially sustainable and environmentally
sustainable.

Philodendron : A philodendron is generally a genus of the Arum plant. It refers to any plant which
grew on shadowy foliages around urban areas and has been made a decorative plant
in many urban households.

Example
My uncle bought me a philodendron. It’s going to look marvelous besides those Acacia.

Grime : Dirt, soot (ashes) or any speck considered as any unwanted particles at any place. It
refers to any unwanted particles, but usually refers to liquid or aqueous slime-like
particles found in garages or gasoline stations. Usually also found in many places
with low sanitation.

Example
My warehouse is so full and covered with grime that it doesn’t look like a building anymore.

Secular : not bound by any church-like vows. It is generally not a religious place, but is a sort
of temple which is not a religious temple, but is an exceptional place of some sort
which is very hard to find. It is not a revered place in the sense of religious
reverence, but it is more of a place where there happen things that will not happen in
others that it is “revered” as very special.

Example
Jake’s room is a secular temple of video games. He got games from the early 20th century.

Savvy : Understanding how something works that the person might even get attached to
such things. In the article above, being tech-savvy meaning that some people
understands much about technology and are constantly in competition to get newer
technology at any times.
Example
He is so tech-savvy that he bought another iPod. He said that this one has a faster Bluetooth.
Middle East
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/07/world/middleeast/07iraq

Obama Victory Alters the Tenor of Iraqi Politics

By Alissa J. Rubin, Published: November 6, 2008

Just three days after Barack Obama’s victory in the U.S. Election, the politics in Iraq had
shifted dramatically. Iraq’s Shiite politicians are already announcing a faster move towards the
creation of a new security pact between the Iraqi troops and the U.S. Before, the Iraqis think that if
the pact is signed, there will be no respect for any army withdrawals, but now the condition has
changed, since The Iraqi Shiite politicians had said, “This is a positive step to have the same theory
about the timetable as Mr. Obama.” Obama had favored a 16-month army withdrawal, twice faster
than what the American and Iraqis had accord with. Before, the Iranians are also worried about
troop placement in Iraq as they would pose a threat to Iran, but now, even the Iranians are much less
worried. Jabeer Habeeb, an independent Shiite lawmaker and a political scientist at Baghdad
University, put it simply: “Obama’s election shifts Iraq into a new position.” The decision to
withdraw another combat brigade 6 weeks earlier of schedule had brought optimism that the
withdrawals would be a reality. Obama’s election had given chance of many more changes the
Middle East wanted, making it easier for Iraq and its neighbors. Iraqi politicians had a new sense of
optimism that the U.S. will finally acknowledge Iraqi sovereignty. This has clearly made a greater
atmosphere of optimism around Middle Eastern countries. The Sunnis, though, are less happy about
the withdrawals, since the American troops has been a “protector” in fighting the Shiite forces. The
new Iraqi government, made up of exiles that were able to rise to power during the American
invasion tends to support the pact. This has made the government able to parry the Anti-American
parties’ tendency to reject any pact. Although many are grateful of Obama’s victory and the massive
changes it brought to Iraqi politics, a rapid troop withdrawal made many worry since that they still
thinks that Iraqi troops needs a rehabilitation before being fully deployed. The Iraqis are saying that
some American troops are needed to stop any spreading foreign influence on Iraq. This though, has
set Iraq on a new leaf, where it could better control its own destiny, but also it eliminates America
as a mediator should a friction between Iraq and other Middle East countries arise, this will teach
Iraqi politicians to be mature enough to handle their own problems and compromise, not depend on
America.
What’s interesting about this article is that this article can show the condition of Iraq from
different point of views. They can show how the Shiite politicians and the government are happy of
the American departure, how the exiles became leaders and are also supporting withdrawals, how
they think that through the withdrawals Iraq’s sovereignty will finally be acknowledged just only a
few days after Obama’s election. The author can also mix the contrasting opinion of the Sunni and
most of the civilians. They worry about the Iraqi troops as unready to be deployed fully before a
mass rehabilitation from Sadam Hussein’s period. The Sunni’s histories of conflict with the Shiite,
often bloody conflicts, are also an apparent factor in objecting massive troop withdrawals, since
American troops have been protecting them from the Shiite. The point of view of the Iranians of a
deadly strike from the Americans from Iraq is also combined in the article, and also about the point
of views of most of the Islamic countries surrounding Iraq. This article reminds me about always
thinking not from one certain point of views, but always to force myself to put myself in other
people’s shoes and seeing through their eyes. This is a skill I’m developing to pursue my career as a
future politician. As a diplomat, debating is almost like a cup of tea. A Politician debate with other
politicians or with the civilians about programs, actions, and many more, and a good politician will
always has to stand firmly on what they believed. But what they believed… are they good enough
to be seen from other people point of views? Even if they benefit us as a politician, will they benefit
the civilians, if yes, how much? If yes, to whom precisely? If yes, for how long? Will they benefit
our economy, will they benefit foreign investors? There are a lot of questions to answer, and by
putting ourselves in other people’s point of views, we can know better what they are thinking. By
knowing what people are thinking and by knowing what they actually need, we can become a better
politician and a better person by any standard. By knowing others we can get closer to them and by
doing so, we can negotiate with others better, and therefore create a peaceful environment. This has
come to my attention because politicians are supposed to negotiate. They are supposed to make the
country better through the diplomatic way. If the solution is just war, we won’t need a peaceful and
open brain, we would only need bloodlust. Diplomats are the solution to problems without having
to go barbaric. To solve problems with win-win situation, in which everybody gets the benefits,
politicians have to look into everybody’s point of views, to determine what they need and what can
we do to benefit them in the end. By opening our mind to more point of views and opening our
hearts to more advice from others, we can be a good politician. If the Shiite approved and the
Sunnis object, what could we do to benefit both? For the answer, we have to think.

Ratify : approving or accepting formally. Ratifying is usually done by the higher-ups

according to certain plans. For example, when we are teachers, when we concoct a
plan, we must ratify all of our plans to the higher-ups, getting their approval of our
plans. Ratifying can only be done by those who have higher degrees than us do in
our field of work.

Example
Have you ratified your plans to the head of school?

Groundwork : Foundation or base. Groundwork can refer to concrete groundwork for buildings or
general groundwork, such as the groundwork or the base of our faith in Christianity.
It is referred to anything that builds up a certain structure or a certain belief. It is the
source of faith and the strength of buildings. So, it refers to anything underlying
something.

Example
How’s the semi-concrete, semi-steel groundwork of the Darmo Trade center going?

Shorthand : Abbreviation. Shorthand can refer to abbreviations such as UNICEF, UNESCO etc.
It refers to anything not using the complete word order. It is also a summary of many
tings. Summary refers to a real summary, of essays or novels, and also a summary of
the action or the summary of the feeling of certain people or certain groups towards
another group.

Example
The whole nuclear pact with the U.S. is the shorthand of all our governments’ efforts all these years.
Politics
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/25/us/politics/25obama

Obama Makes Visit to a Most Beloved Supporter

By Jeff Zeleny, Published: October 24, 2008

Mrs. Madelyn Dunham had followed his campaign for 21 months by now. She underwent a
corneal transplant just to see him for television, and had reluctantly film an advertisement to
reassure voters of his American roots, and now, with a report of her grandmother undergoing a
surgery because of a broken hip, with only 11 days left in the boiling-hot campaign, Obama went to
Honolulu to visit his grandmother to say what might be his last goodbye. He spent one day to visit
his grandmother who is the driving force of his life and the one who had supported him in most of
his campaign. After a 9-hours flight from Indianapolis, Obama stepped off the plane and went
directly to his grandmother’s apartment on a residential section of South Beretania Street. His
Thursday and Friday night visit to his grandmother, accompanied by Maya Soetoro-Ng, his sister,
Obama had been dubbed as “The Somber Obama”. “She can’t travel,” he told reporters then. “She
has a bad back. She has pretty severe osteoporosis. But she’s glued to CNN.” Mrs. Madelyn
Dunham had severe osteoporosis, bad eyesight, and rumored to have terminal cancer. “My
grandparents held on to a simple dream: that they would raise my mother in a land of
boundless dreams,” Mr. Obama said. “I am standing here today because that dream was
realized.” Mrs. Madelyn Dunham had made an appearance at an advertisement before and had been
seen with severe osteoporosis that she is very much hunched. She is so hunched that the filmmakers
had a hard time capturing her spirit and support for her grandson. “Thank you to my
grandmother, who helped raise me and is sitting in Hawaii somewhere right now because she
can’t travel, but who poured everything she had into me and who helped me become the man
I am today,” Mr. Obama said in the last night of his visit in Hawaii. “Tonight is for her.”
I’d say that this is a very touching article. The author of this article can play along with the
emotions of the readers. It is amazing that how in the most important moments of the American
Presidential campaign, where Barack Obama is risking his own career and his own life in the line of
the election, is still willing to visit his grandmother who is gravely ill. He had failed to visit his
mother when she died, and he said that he ill not repeat the same mistake. Although at the time, that
was the most critical moment of his presidential campaign, with less than two weeks left before the
grand election, Barack Obama had labeled the trip as nonnegotiable, meaning that he will go with
no stopping from any persuasion by anyone at all. He left his campaign for a few days where John
McCain had the chance to left Obama behind in the polls. This can seriously “wound” Barack
Obama’s team politically in the election, but he is just won’t change his mind. This article’s use of
quotes and its use of words depicting various chains of events had been compiled together
dramatically, touching people’s hearts. I can truly feel the emotions of a man whose grandmother is
deathly ill and he is willing to risk all of his life and career on the line for her. What’s amazing
about this article is how it can play with the reader’s emotions. The feeling of pity, sadness, grief,
and so much more are mixed well to compile a dramatic article. This is really an important part of
making a good article, since by playing with people’s emotions; the author can get a certain depth
and humanity about the article. This article though, is exceptionally compiled, is really touching and
inspiring. Again, I have learned about more humanitarian values from this article. This time, I
learned to remember about those who have helped us in our journey to success. It is always
important to remember that a human’s life is much more important than our career. If those who
have supported us from the beginning are in a grave need, especially in need of our presence, we
should always come to their aid. Without them, we may not be what we are, and we owe most of
our career to them. We should embrace the future, but we should never forget thee old who had
supported us. When we have succeeded in our life, we should always remember our parents, or
families, and our friends from our past. They may have a great contribution to shaping us into what
we are right now. When we have the new, never forget of the old. Even when we are on the top of
the world, don’t be afraid to go down to the gutters if our family or our friends are in need for us.
This is important for a leader to know, since leaders are supposed to be a model for their
subordinates. If a leader remembers their old comrades and came to their aid if they need him and
his subordinates remember such actions and had decided to done the same, what a better place this
world will be! Being a good leader is not being a cold-blooded genius but a sadist like Hitler, but
more of a compassionate man who understands their subordinates and remembers others’ deeds for
them in the past. Being a good leader is not to forget the past completely and step into the future
entirely I think, but being a good leader is to embrace the past and to step into the future.

Odyssey : A very long journey filled with hardships, change of fortunes, and obstacles running
along the way. It can also refer to a story of a Greek hero, Odysseus, but in this case
it meant of a very long and tiring journey filled with lots of hardships and obstacles
as a competitor in some sort of competition. In the case above, the winner gets to be
the president of the United States.

Example
Reading about the odyssey of politicians in their autobiography is very intriguing.

Caucus : meeting of some people usually from a certain political party to choose candidates
for the party or to discuss strategy. Usually, politicians running for president will
have caucuses to decide which candidate is liked best by the civilians and if the party
has a sole candidate that means that the whole caucus is devoted to supporting the
candidate in his or her campaign.

Example
Mr. Gregory Hudson is chosen as the sole candidate for presidency in the noisy caucus last
Wednesday.

Stalwart : Strong or brave. Stalwart refers to anything considered strong or brave. Note that
the strong here refers to not physically strong but to mentally or religiously strong.
Emotionally, somebody stalwart would be very hard to be toppled over from their
ideologies or their dedications.

Example
He is so stalwart about being patriotic to Rwanda in times of crisis like these.