Waste Not Want Not

Scott Uria

Professor Kelly

ENC 1102

March 19, 2013

Waste Not Want Not

            Hey Mom, is dinner ready? At some point in most of our childhood, we have asked that question.  Unfortunately there are many children in our country that are lucky to receive a hot meal once a week. The United States is the wealthiest country in the world, so why do we have hungry families? There are many countries that does not have the benefit of overstocked food and a government that could help. I feel that poverty exist because our government and society as a whole have failed them. During a recent documentary I reviewed called Dive, this film brought to light of the food waste that seems to be a common practice by many food chain stores. Instead of waste, what could be done with all that food?

            According to an article by Tom Hudson, dumpster diving is on the rise across the states. Those diving are not finding trash, but perfectly good food. Every city has food banks to help feed the homeless and families in need, so why not provide to those outlets? There are some great individuals that are crusading for this cause, so this issue is now getting the attention it deserves. But should it be just up to the community to speak on this waste issue? Our elected politicians seem to make things happen when it benefits them. If they need a new gold faucet for their 1,200 square foot bathroom, it’s done! If the people who voted the politicians in office need help to feed their families, politicians will place it on the back burner and considered not important. Wouldn’t it be nice if our government passed a law that forbids food chain stores from throwing out perfectly good food into dumpsters, and mandate that the food be donated to food banks instead? Maybe our country would be able to rest at night knowing that every American has been fed.

            I wanted to look into another country and their poverty level. That country would be Bolivia, the other half of my heritage. It appears that 60% of 9.1 million in population lives in poverty (N.Y Times). Despite increasing revenues from gas and oil, Bolivia remains the most hunger afflicted country in South America. I lived in Bolivia as a young baby, and as I got older I can recall my mother telling me how most of the meals consisted of rice and corn, and were never in large portions. The bright spot was that we never had to go without, but there were many who were not so lucky.

            Throughout my military career, I have traveled to several countries. In many of those countries, eating a simple hamburger would be a luxury. There were several kids that would go behind people as they threw away their trash in search of left over scraps. I really wished I could help by purchasing a meal for a kid, but I knew that would open up the flood gates. If other children seen a child receiving a meal, the kids would be on me like fleas. Instead I would just wave and keep moving.

            Hunger and food waste is a big issue in America. It’s not just a food chain problem, it’s a household problem. Many of us have thrown out food that we never used. Yes, I am guilty! There have been several times where I went grocery shopping and purchased more than I actually needed. I catch myself preaching to my children that the food they leave on their plate could feed families in other parts of the world.  If we just start with ourselves by not wasting, maybe one day the regulations will change on food chain stores. I would like to close with a scripture that seems to tie right in with this topic. “For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in.” – Matthew 25:35

                                                                    Works Cited

Dive. Perf. Jeremy Seifert. 2010.

Fantz, Ashley. (2013): n. pag. CNN. Web.

Hudson, Tom. "Dumpster Diving." Editorial. Dec. 2012: n. pag. Print.

Matthew. King James Version. N.p.: n.p., n.d. Print.

Dive

After watching the documentary Dive, it really made me think about how wasteful our country is. While driving home, I knew I had to stop by Wal-mart to pick up a few groceries. Once in the parking lot, I contemplated whether or not I should go in to shop, or go behind the store to shop. Although joking, I must admit I wanted to take a peek to see Wal-mart was just as wasteful as many grocery stores. As days have passed, I have reflected on food I had purchased to stock my refrigerator, just to end up unused waste. Yes, I am guilty on a much smaller level, but still guilty. The part of the documentary that hit me the most was the segment on Haiti. That really put things in perspective of the poverty going on throughout this world. But I am a firm believer of taking care of you own first, so let’s stop wasting America, and donated the unused items to the hungry families in our country!

The American Dream (Essay)

Scott Uria

Professor Kelly

ENC 1102

March 5, 2013

The American Dream

From birth to death, we all have decisions that will dictate our life. When we hear of people living out the American dream, what does that mean? How many of us have actually given it a thought? The American dream is something we all strive for, but what defines whether or not we have accomplished our dream? The fact is, it varies from person to person. I feel that every person decides what they are pursuing, and decides when they have accomplished it. That is the beauty of our country and the pursuit of happiness.

 I recently had the opportunity to hear a wonderful speaker, Mo Garcia, and his experience and translation of the American dream. He explained how he was uprooted from El Salvador and sent to the United States to start a new life. With years of resentment came wasted years. Once the light bulb came on, he knew what he wanted to do, just to be derailed again. Mr. Garcia had to identify his weaknesses and turned those into strengths. Once accomplished, he found success in motivating others to be proactive in life goals. His lecture is structured to make you think about where you fit in, and how to get there. I came home and contemplated whether or not I have lived out my American dream, and the answer is yes.

            Growing up in Columbia, South Carolina, I was always intrigued by Fort Jackson, an Army base located nearby. I knew from an early age that I wanted to serve my country as a service member of the United States Armed Forces. Upon completion of high school, I enrolled at Liberty University in Lynchburg, Va. Although I enjoyed the college/campus life, I knew that I needed something to give me more. At the end of the semester, I came home and joined the United States Navy, and shipped out on March 20, 1989.  Sure, basic training was a rude awakening as to what I just signed up for, but I liked the challenge. Before I knew it, twenty years of service was upon me, and retired March 31, 2009. During that time frame, I have traveled the world, free of charge, received free on the job training, free medical and dental, thirty plus days of yearly vacation, unlimited paid sick days, and a free education using the Post 9/11 G.I Bill. Having the opportunity to retire at the age of 39, with a monthly pension for the rest of my life is a sweet deal. Most importantly, I was able to protect the freedoms of my country so other may chase and accomplish their American dream. Yes, I can honestly say that I have and currently am living the American dream!

            Many Americans consider homeownership a major piece of completing life’s dreams. To get to that point, other steps must be accomplished. Mortgage companies will review whether or not the applicant has a secure job, established credit, and debt to income ratio. Two of items listed fall into the large puzzle of the American dream. Employment and strong credit will get a lot in this country. With so many people owning homes, that dream threatened some, and buried others. Our country went into a recession in 2008, and the housing market continues to struggle today. So for those who consider homeownership part of their American dream, has that dream become a nightmare? According to, Statesman Journal, Queenie Wong reports that since 2009, more than a dozen government and private programs have been created to help home owners avoid foreclosure. Now programs are offering more options for homeowners, but they’re also not going off without a hitch. The dream of owning a home is still alive, but it may be a little tougher than years passed.

            I have shared a large portion of my American dream, and the joy and satisfaction I felt upon completion. Sure, I have several other goals to accomplished, and others that have been completed. Upon completion of new goals, it will be another building block to my life of success. Have you figured out what your dream consist of? Some dreams may not be individual, but as a country as a whole.  I would like to share a portion of Martin Luther King Jr. speech, ‘I Have a Dream.’ This should be the foundation of every dream. “From every mountainside, let freedom ring. And when this happens, when we allow freedom to ring, when we let it ring from every village and every hamlet, from every state and every city, we will be able to speed up that day when all God’s children, black men and white men, Jews and Gentiles, Protestants and Catholics, will be able to join hands and sing in the words of the old Negro spiritual, “Free at last! Free at last! Thank God Almighty, we are free at last!”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Works Cited

                         Queenie Wong, Statesman Journal, September 29, 2012

                         Mauricio “Mo” Garcia, Founder and CEO, MG Success Services

      Reverend Martin Luther King Jr., ‘I Have a Dream’, August 28, 1963

           

The American Dream

The American Dream

            When we hear of people living out the American dream, what does that mean? How many of us have actually given it a thought? I recently had the opportunity to hear a wonderful speaker, Mo Garcia, and his experience and translation of the American dream. He explained how he was uprooted from El Salvador and sent to the United States to start a new life. With years of resentment came wasted years. Once the light bulb came on, he knew what he wanted to do, just to be derailed again. Mr. Garcia had to identify his weaknesses and turned those into strengths. Once accomplished, he found success in motivating others to be proactive in life goals. His lecture is structured to make you think about where you fit in, and how to get there. I came home and contemplated whether or not I have lived out my American dream, and the answer is yes.

            Growing up in Columbia, South Carolina, I was always intrigued by Fort Jackson, an Army base located nearby. I knew from an early age that I wanted to serve my country as a service member of the United States Armed Forces. Upon completion of high school, I enrolled at Liberty University in Lynchburg, Va. Although I enjoyed the college/campus life, I knew that I needed something to give me more. At the end of the semester, I came home and joined the United States Navy, and shipped out on March 20, 1989.  Sure, basic training was a rude awakening as to what I just signed up for, but I liked the challenge. Before I knew it, twenty years of service was upon me, and retired March 31, 2009. During that time frame, I have traveled the world, free of charge, received free on the job training, free medical and dental, thirty plus days of yearly vacation, unlimited paid sick days, and a free education using the Post 9/11 G.I Bill. Having the opportunity to retire at the age of 39, with a monthly pension for the rest of my life is a sweet deal. Most importantly, I was able to protect the freedoms of my country so other may chase and accomplish their American dream. Yes, I can honestly say that I have and currently am living the American dream!

Digital Nation Essay

Scott Uria

Professor Warren

ENC 1102

February 19, 2013

Digital Nation

            Login, password, enter, and I am in! I have now entered a world used by so many, and I’m the prey of many more. The film, Digital Nation, brings to light the different ways technology is used today and the positive and negative aspects to go along with it. I feel that technology is beneficial to an extent, and on the other side, I am more of a traditionalist. This film mentioned companies using virtual meetings, military recruiting tactics, military operations, and effects of gaming. And the most negative aspect was the addiction of the gaming world. My views are close on some, and quite a distance away on others. Now it’s time to explain.

            One part of running a successful business is to know your personal, their strengths, and weaknesses. There are meetings with staff, and contracted affiliates, to keep the business running effectively and successfully. When the business is located at different locations, it’s not uncommon to have a conference call on a specific date and time. During this time of advanced technology, Digital Nation shared a growing trend of virtual meetings, vice personal and conference call meetings. Although similar to a conference call, I see these virtual conferences nothing more than adults enjoying the gaming world, minus the score keeping and violence. The segment on Digital Nation showed a virtual meeting where one associate was more focused on the shirt that another put on his virtual character. In my opinion, situations like this can become more of a distraction than focusing on success. I know that many businesses may not have in their budget to travel to a certain locations, but a simple conference call would suffice without the gimmicks of the virtual world.

            The United States military has changed the way it operates in certain fields and tactics. Digital Nation pointed out a couple of different areas in which technology has modified the standard operating procedure, whether good or bad. There is an Army Recruiting Station in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania that took recruiting to a new level, which I totally disagree with. The Army built a large arcade like facility to attract you people. Once the young kids are in and actively involved with the different simulators and games, the recruiters will pounce of them while their mind is captured by the excitement of the moment. As a prior Navy Recruiter, I am not surprise that the Army has stooped to this level. As a recruiter, my job was to make sure an applicant is qualified mentally, physically, and morally. If an applicant gets past that stage of initial blueprinting, it’s time to find out what the applicant is interested in, the goals desire, and how the Navy can help get them there. After that portion of the interview, it is important to set up an appointment with the parents, because parents can sway decisions either way. Believe it or not, parents can respect the character of the recruiter if the interest of their child is priority. I was a very successful recruiter because I wasn’t concerned with a monthly quota, but sincere with helping their child lay out a road map to meet their needs, and bonding close with family members during the process. I honestly don’t feel that an arcade recruiting building, with all the games and simulator, can establish a bond with a future service member. It has been ten years since I left recruiting, and to this day, I still keep up with many of the young people, and their families. Not sure a recruiter can actually know the complete background of a young person if they met them in a recruiting trap.

            Concerning the military and technology, there is one area that I totally agree with. The United States Air Force is utilizing a remote operated air craft, called Drones. With the war in Afghanistan, lasting over ten years, there have been a lot of unfortunate casualties. The Drone is used for surveillance, and destruction of targets if needed. The Drone is not operated by an onboard pilot, but a remote control operator on ground. This technology is very effective, and reduces casualties of war.

            Unfortunately, the world of gaming has taken our youth from exercise, studying, and social skills at home. Obesity in the United States is at an all-time high. Some is a result of a poor diet, but most is the lack of excising activities. Many gamers will stay up all night, sleep all day, and have little to say during family meals. University of Wisconsin Psychologist, C. Shawn Green expressed, “Video games change your brain.” I definitely agree, but is this change for the better, or worse?  Is this the activity we want for young Americans? I would have to say so, because online games, consoles, and disc games, are at an all-time high. There needs to be some type of regulation, restrictions, increased pricing, to help bring this lifestyle under control. If those areas were addressed, we may win our children back, for a happier and healthier life. On a positive note, there appears to be many relationships that have blossomed from the gaming world.

            Digital Nation shed some light on how advanced our world has become, and the uses to help advance business, and the pros and cons of gaming. Yes, our world has become much smaller with technology, but on a different aspect, it has caused our loved ones to be further away.

           

           

Digital Nation

Scott Uria

Kelly Warren

Digital Nation Blog Entry

            The digital world that we live in has made life much simpler in one aspect, and much more complex in another. With the World Wide Web, our world appears to be much smaller than it did some twenty-five plus years ago. During my early military career, while deployed, it could take a couple of weeks to receive a letter. If I needed to send money back to the states, I either wrote out a check or got a money order to mail off. Towards the end of my career, the same situations could be handled with a click of a button. I can recall back in 1992, while deployed to Guam, if I wanted to call home, I had to go through several base operators throughout the states to get connected for my “morale call.” Today service members will Skype when calling home. How cool is that?  On the complex side of things, because technology changes so quickly, one will constantly have to learn new systems. Because of technology, identity theft is on the rise, and hackers can easily access your bank, email, and work accounts. With the internet, there are more and more stories of a spouse meeting someone online, leading to an all-time high in divorce. With the changes I have seen over the years, it’s just a matter of time before our world self-destructs.

 

Reality Television

Scott Uria

Professor Warren

ENC 1102

Reality TV

            I found the text reading on reality television interesting. One point that was brought up, then backed away from is, reality television as a form of voyeurism. I can agree how that aspect was brought up and dismissed, because in the case of voyeurism, it consists of one being filmed or photographed in a real life setting, although the one being viewed is unaware and unwilling. Do I personally like reality television? Yes! Although editing controls what is being viewed, it’s captured real time reactions. The names that are seen are reality tv are their real names, vice an actor that you will see in various shows under a different character’s name. In my opinion, reality tv will continue to grow, and enjoyed by many.