Journal 6: Packer's Super Bowl Chances

Under Duress, Image presented by ESPN

The Packer's Super Bowl chances may be solely based on how a group of individuals play that rarely get an attention from the average fan. As many Packer's fan would acknowledge, the offensive line hasn't played up to par this season. Now how big of a deal is this problem? Well for one, Aaron Rodgers as many other quarterbacks isn't that good under duress. Right now, the Packers are second in the league in allowed sacks with 37. However, to average fans people just think of get the ball out fast to avoid pressure but the problem with this solution is that cornerbacks just have to jam receivers at the line to mess up the timing of the pass. In addition, with the Packers lack of run game it seems unlikely that they will be able to help their line that way. Overall, I Packers Super Bowl hopes ride on protecting Rodgers from the outstanding potential pass rushes that could include San Francisco, Chicago, and New York.

Intro to Research Paper

For my journal, I wanted to put my working introduction because I'd like some feedback and criticism on what to improve grammatically and structurally.

Image is from the NORML website

Is America finally becoming more progressive towards marijuana? Back in the 1970's, Richard Nixon began the "War on Drug", which has continued through each administration. However, the American population may be ready to end an unrealistic winnable war. In the last decade, 17 states have made the legalization of medical marijuana legal and in the last election two states have taken a bigger leap in making the recreational use of marijuana ok with some regulations of course. As states start to challenge federal law, I think it's time for the federal government to end it's failed policies and accept the use of recreational marijuana much like alcohol.  

What is Reality? extracted off Google Images

What is reality? In the movie Inception, it’s quite easy to get lost in the real world or dream state because of how realistic and complex the dreams world feels for the characters and viewers. But to avoid the confusion of being lost in these alternate states, Cobb, played by Leonardo DiCaprio, invents a system of using a totem to help differentiate what is reality. For example, in the dream state the totem will spin forever then opposite in reality we know that totem eventually topple over. However, the closing sequence has drawn a lot of controversy from many viewers that I know personally and on the Internet from trying to get a better grip on the movie.

            The closing sequence in Inception, begins when Cobb finds Saito in limbo and reminds him of something he once knew, that this world is not real. As Cobb says this, his totem is spinning continuously thus showing Saito that they are not in the real world. Saito relies, “To honor our arrangement”.

 “To take a leap of faith” whispers Cobb as he starts desperately into Saito eyes making sure that he is totally convinced that this world they are in is not real. Once Saito realizes this he reaches for the gun and presumably kills himself in order to escape limbo. Upon killing themselves, Saito and Cobb, wake up on the plane in relief that they are alive and that their plan worked. Due to the idea of inception being a success Cobb is able to come home thanks to his arrangement with Saito.

            The final and most confusing part of the movie in my opinion is the closing scene in which Cobb is finally able to see his kids again. However, what makes this scene frustrating is because the first few times I thought he was still in a dream but now closely watching the film I know he was in reality or doesn’t care anymore because he was with his family. 

One of My Favorite Movies

(Spoiler Alert)

One of my favorite movies is Law Abiding Citizen, which features Gerard Butler, who is a family man.  However, at the beginning of the movie, his wife and little daughter are killed in front of him but because he passed out, his testimony is considered rocky so he can’t put the real killer in jail for life. Angered by how the justice system works and feeling screwed over by his attorney Gerard Butler’s character goes on a killing spree. His idea behind this is to show the justice system how corrupt it is and that it’s not about getting the right guy but getting the right plea bargain.

The reason I love this movie so much is because it shows how far one man is willing to go to do what he thinks is right. In addition, the film features many twist and action parts that leave people on the edge of their seats. I think I respond move to formal elements of the movie because it’s the plot that really has me guessing and waiting to see what Gerard Butler has in store next. In addition, the elaborate ways he kills his victims is entertaining and freighting how he comes up with some of the ideas. For example, in one of the killing he paralyzing his body so he can’t move but he can feel all the pain. Then he brings him to his shed and dismembers him so he can feel the pain that he felt when his wife and daughter were killed in front of him. After this film, it made me want to watch more films that including Gerard Butler because I felt he was a good actor and so far he hasn’t disappointed.

Accepting Death, courtesy of Google Images

Winning Actually Isn’t the Only Thing My Opinion

 I agree with him that winning isn’t the only thing because I think that you can learn valuable lessons, experiences, and build character from loses. With that being said, in the heat of the moment I don’t think he should hold players accountable for saying the broke the rule or didn’t catch the ball in this case. For example, the player could have told the refs that he didn’t catch it but he didn’t because with the NFL season being so short every win matters no matter how you get it. 

Winning Actually Isn't the Only Thing Summary

The article Winning Actually Isn’t the Only Thing by David Maraniss begins with how his heart is broken by the blown call in the Green Bay game vs. Seahawks. He then starts to wonder if its in human nature to argue for your side no matter what or is there such thing as sportsmanship in football? He thinks that what the Seahawks players and coach showed after the game proved that winning is everything and that even if they shouldn’t have won the game due to a blown call they still celebrated. However, in his mind David believes that he would want to say that they blew the call and get that off their conscience.

Believe Game B

I believe that the Miami Heat will not repeat as champions. One reason is because one team has repeated as NBA champions in the last decade. Also, teams have gotten better in the offseason through trades and free-agent signings. The most notable offseason trade being the Los Angeles Lakers acquiring Dwight Howard and Steve Nash.