The film is well-rounded with plenty of excitement, puzzles and good laughs. Music creates a suspenseful mood that keeps you on the edge of your seat, while the special effects add breath-taking scenes. The characters are well-developed and all different from one another. The hero who works from the desk, Benji (Simon Pegg) the intelligence analyst, brings comical relief.  William Brandt (Jeremy Renner) is the classic right-hand man to their leader, Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise) and Jane Carter (Paula Patton) plays the female hero.  

Ethan and his friends are on a mission to infiltrate the Kremlin in Russia for nuclear launch codes. Before they are able to accomplish the mission, they are detered by an explosion. Ethan is not the only one after the codes. The bombing is blamed on Ethan’s team and his organization IMF. Their job now is to retrieve the launch codes and stop nuclear war between the U.S. and Russia.

Will Ethan get the codes in time? It’s your mission to find out. If you miss your window of opportunity to see the film in theatres, plan B is to rent or purchase it upon release.

“Ghost Protocol” is rated PG-13. Visit the official site for trailer and features.

According to the Iranian court, Iranian American Amir Mirzaei Hekmati made attempts to gather information for the CIA (Central Intelligence Agency). Iran has sentenced Amir to death upon charges of espionage and spying. Amir says that he was visiting family. A video has been released with Amir admitting to working for the agency. According to US officials Iran has used torture and threats to cause the victim’s family harm in the past.

This has not been the first hostage taking situation. Since 2007 Amir is the latest of 10 Americans to be held for Iranian political purposes. In 2009, three Americans hiked in Kurdistan Iraq and strayed slightly from the border. They were also arrested upon espionage charges.  Also in 2009 Roxanna Saberi, an American reporter was arrested for spying and was accused of infiltrating the Iranian government.

This past year the operation that eliminated Bin Laden was set into motion without consent of Iran. That action has angered Iran and recently with the events of Iran’s Uranium production increased to 25% and the capture of Amir Mirzaei Hekmati has seemingly been used to pressure Washington.

First of all let me explain how my blended family came to exist. Shortly after my first birthday and my older brother’s third birthday my parents divorced. When I turned four, my mom married my step-dad who had two daughters and a son. One second I was living with one older brother and the next, I had a grand total of four siblings.

I have very few memories of not being part of a blended family, so my take on that family dynamic differs from many. Because I have been with my family for so long the word “step” isn’t used. However labels become important when you make the transition into a blended family. The question of what to call your step-relatives is something that every member of a blended family must come to terms with. It took a few years of confusion and awkward moments to reach a place where they stopped being “step-family” and started being my family.

Along with labels, the simple act of acknowledgement is an issue that must be dealt with. Since my last name is different from my siblings the opportunity to not publicly acknowledge them was always present. The big difference between a biological family and a blended one is that things as simple as acknowledgment and labels don’t come naturally but are something you have to learn to do.

In blended families the term ‘sibling rivalry’ takes on a whole new meaning. At least it did in my family. Jealousy and competition is a huge aspect of everyday life. The biological division creates “teams” that are both determined to beat the other in anything. It doesn’t matter what it is. It could be family arguments, where that unspoken loyalty and bond between members of each part of a blended family comes out. My brother and I would stick together with our mom before we would stand by our step-dad and siblings which created frustration and unfairness. Fights don’t occur very often now because we’re older, somewhat more mature and the two oldest are either living on their own or married. But it’s taken a lot of arguments and compromise to get to a place where we all get along.

All the trials my family has gone through to become the close family we are now haven’t been nearly as hard as losing a core member. My step dad passed away in a fire at my house June 26, 2011. Loss in any family is difficult but with mine it seemed intensified because the one person who brought us all together and connected us was the one we lost. In some ways it has made us stronger while in others it inevitably has broken us. From the government’s perspective, my siblings are no longer legally my siblings, so we had to band together as a family by making a conscious decision to continue to be a family without any requirements or unspoken rule to accept and be together.

My step-dad always strove to achieve, along with the rest of my family, a way to become a true family despite our differences and issues. He believed that no matter what type of family you are, family is family. Families stick together and love one another, despite not always liking each other. A blended family is dysfunctional. No matter who it is or how well they get along there is no avoiding it. I have come to the realization that the dysfunctional aspects of my family is what makes them the people I love most in this world.

Growing up, I always thought that the contrasting opinion of each individual was beautiful. I loved hearing other people’s opinions and was always fascinated by the fact that each and every person had something he or she believed in and would fight for if it came down to it. A defining feature in the human essence is passion: emotion and opinion. Inevitably, one person’s opinion will differ from another’s, but it is up to the person to decide how he or she reacts.

I adore discussing with others. I loathe arguing. Yes, I believe that these two desires can be satisfied simultaneously. This is achieved by having something I like to call an “open mind.” One can accept that someone believes differently without arguing about it. Whereas discussing can be interesting and help open your mind and help you learn why people think as they do, arguing isn’t going to solve anything. One side is not going to prove anything to the other.

Arguing usually provokes anger and frustration and it rarely resolves the issue. It’s not going to change someone’s views. It will probably divert them from the opposing view even farther and then serve to evoke the ongoing stereotype for both sides that the people of the opposite stance are hardheaded, stubborn and fail to see the basis of the others’ argument.  An argument is what you make it. If the person decides to rebut everything by becoming angry and defensive, it only projects an illustration of immaturity. One part of sophisticated and interesting discussion is to take someone’s view, consider it, analyze it and accept or refute it, and if the latter, find other ways to conclude it. A disagreement of opinions does not have to be frustrating—it can be enlightening.

So, what I’m trying to request is to respect other people’s opinions, for goodness sake. Who cares if someone believes differently than you? Personally, I’m glad that we all see the world differently. If we all believed the exact same thing, this world would be a pretty boring place to live. Live and let live. Accepting that someone else does not believe strictly the same as you is not that hard to do.

It is a legitimate question. Many of the types of art that our culture enjoyed in past generations are either losing popularity or gone. It can be argued that art forms should die if they are no longer relevant, and I would agree. Still, the painters’ and the sculptors’ creations are consistent with the modern era and its values but we pay almost no attention to them.  Not only are some art forms suffering, but talented artists in popular genres such as music and books aren’t getting much recognition.

It seems that art is being replaced by entertainment. These two words are by no means interchangeable.  Art and entertainment almost never walk in lockstep. The next time you go to a movie, ask yourself whether what you watched created an emotional response and maybe even changed your world view a little, or if it just distracted and entertained you for its duration. Watching a movie for entertainment or listening to music just because you like to dance to it is just fine. It’s just noticeable that what is being recycled through our culture is of less substance and more distraction. 

So the solution would be to recognize and view the art forms we enjoy. They may be harder to find, but they tend to be more enjoyable. Just listen to a song that triggers an emotional response, watch a movie that makes you think “wow,” or enjoy a painting or book that captures you inside its world.  If these actions don’t happen, then it is likely art would recede even farther and maybe even dry up. 

I’m concerned for the future of art. Pop culture is pushing it out of the way to make room for its own agenda instead of adopting it and realizing its importance. It is still being held together by the minority of individuals who create art and those who immerse themselves in it.

Is art dying? The answer is yes, but that doesn’t mean we can’t expect or push towards a revival of it.

When expressing kindness to someone, it is important to mean it. Otherwise, it’s better to say nothing.  Saying you like someone’s t-shirt when you don’t is not benefiting anyone. It isn’t fooling anyone either; no one is going to be impressed by a few half-hearted compliments or generalized notes plastered around the school.  Rachel’s message wasn’t about spreading kindness for the sake of being kind, but to be kind in instances where you would otherwise not have been kind. 

If students turn Rachel’s Challenge into something that insincere, then the challenge itself fails. If the challenge is filled with people who act to impress others, or just to appease the challenge, then the message that Rachel’s Challenge is trying to convey didn’t succeed. 

Rachel’s Challenge is meant to spread kindness and compassion throughout the community. Reaching out to a student who is sitting alone, telling a parent you love them, or helping someone who is just struggling in life are a few instances where Rachel’s Challenge can benefit people. 

It may be argued that being kind on a dishonest level can still be beneficial by instilling a sense of kindness throughout the community and creating a starting point for real kindness. However, when that is allowed, it just creates a culture with a veil of deception. It widens the gap between sincere and insincere and makes it that much harder to distinguish whether or not someone means what they say.

To keep Rachel’s Challenge from being something that is insignificant or mocked, the standard of genuine kindness should be reinforced.  To take on the challenge is to embrace the full meaning of it as well.

I couldn’t see anything and only thought to keep everything tight. The only true sense I had at that moment was my hearing, all the people laughing and the shutters of their cameras. A voice rang out from the crowd saying, “This is going on Facebook!” When that single photo hit the web, my notification box was dinging every other second. I knew I had truly accomplished the plank when the twins from Utah commented on it saying, “nice plank.”

I was motivated. I was going to plank anywhere I went. Now that I look back on my prime time planking, I realize that was what I turned to so I could cope with not being where I wanted to be, with my best friends in Utah. When I hear people talking about how stupid planking is, I cannot help but to stand up to them and defend it. It has kept me from doing stupid things that could harm me. I decided to lay down face first in places, stiff as a board, instead of going out partying, and breaking the law, or doing some that is truly stupid. Planking has become something I do ever so often because I want to. Not for attention and getting the praise of others. I do it because I have fun looking weird. I have fun being me in my own way.

 But what about the protests in Libya and Iran? Or Bahrain, Syria, Oman, Yemen, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Algeria, and Morocco? Two revolutionary protests in Egypt and Tunisia have not only given those two countries hope of democracy, but have set off a chain reaction of protests in the Middle East and Northern Africa.

  Protests are still ongoing in Tunisia, where the president has already stepped down. Violent responses by the authorities, such as opening fire on protestors, have angered the country’s population and triggered more and more protests. Their interim prime minister, Caid Essebsi, dissolved the secret police service in the country and has announced that there will be no members of the old regime in the new government.

Egypt seemingly found a solution to democracy when they overthrew Hosni Mubarak, but lately, it seems as if unrest is rearing its head yet again. Egyptian groups have gone back onto the streets to protest, since the military has not been meeting the protestors’ goals and corrupt officials are still in office. In the past few days, a group of men in plain clothes have attacked a group of pro-democracy protestors who were gathered in Cairo, the first violence since Mubarak stepped down.

 Libya has also captured the attention of the media lately. The leader, Col. Muammar Gadhafi, has lost almost all control of his country, but is still threatening to incite a civil war and kill as many of his people as he can before he is forced out of the country. Most of the cities in Libya have moved into the control of the protestors, but Gadhafi is still battling for the capital, Tripoli. Protestors have been rounded up and shot, attacked by fighter planes and tanks, and bombarded with tear gas. Foreign workers trapped in the country have been singled out and attacked, since people believe that they might be mercenaries. The United Nations recently passed a resolution that allowed countries to protect civilians in Libya, and military officials have stated that Gadhafi is not targeted in their bombings. 

Saudi Arabia has also been rocked by the protests in the area, and King Abdullah has been feeling the pressure. If both Bahrain and Libya lose their current leaders, then his country will undoubtedly be next in line. In an attempt to stop the protests, King Abdullah first announced that there would be benefits for citizens, such as extra funds for housing, studying abroad, and social security. When this didn’t stop the protests, the country announced a ban of protests in the country. State television declared that security forces would not hold back to make sure there are no attempts to disrupt public order. 

Could this be an age much like the era when colonies revolted against their mother countries to gain freedom? Corruption could be the new imperialism, rebelled against and overthrown by those who follow the example of successful protests and revolutions. 

The modern world is at the precipice of a new age. Democracy is spreading rapidly in the world, and before we know it, we may be dealing with Muslim democratic nations. Now is not the time for citizens of the United States to be ignorant of the revolutions sparking in the Middle East and Africa. 

So, what exactly am I trying to say here? Simply put, with the current protests, the Middle East has many western countries, including the United States, in a choke hold. Oil prices are rising, tourists and politicians alike are struggling to escape these countries, and international activities are being brought to a screeching halt. Every American should be paying attention to these protests nearly halfway around the world, because they could turn out to be a lot closer to home than we thought.

No. I just say that because I want people to taunt me for no reason. 

“Yes.” 

Here is where I get the privilege of being entertained by what my meat-eating peers, ignorant and naïve, have to enlighten me about my choice of dietary intake. 

“Where do you get PROTEIN?” 

“How can you do that? I could never be a vegetarian!” 

And, my personal favorite- “God put animals on this earth for us to eat!” 

Well my fellow Samaritan, I have answers for all of those. There are other means of protein besides eating a carcass. Fortunately, I am not you, and you go right along eating God’s precious animals. I hope that delicious hunk of animal goes straight to your thighs. 

I have become accustomed to the laughing sneers and claims that I am a complete idiot .And I am just about used to my diet being criticized on a daily basis.. 

I am a vegetarian for a number of reasons. First, I am generally a very compassionate person, and I do not completely agree with or want to be a part of, or induce in any way, the practices preformed at slaughterhouses. Secondly, I believe animal agriculture is tremendously destructive on the environment and wasteful of the earth’s resources such as freshwater. And third, a vegetarian diet is extremely healthy. It is low in saturated fat, cholesterol, and high in antioxidants, magnesium, potassium, carbohydrates, folate, fiber and antioxidants such as vitamins C and E and phytochemicals. Many health organizations promote eating less meat to greatly decrease the risk of multiple different kinds of cancers and diseases such as heart disease and diabetes. 

Apparently, since I do not eat similarly to other people- I am different. Apparently, because of my diet,I am crazy. I will never truly understand why people care so much about what I eat. Why do people taunt me SO much just because I do not take in the same type of “protein” they do? Does what I eat make me that much different from someone else? I have packed that deep into my brimming suitcase full of things I do not understand about human beings. 

The only two people in my family who supports me regarding my vegetarianism are my younger sister, who is 13, and my father, who is a doctor. Many people tell me that I am in terrible danger because my diet is unsafe. But, I think that if my diet is that dreadfully perilous, my father, who is an M.D, would not have let me maintain living this way for so long. In fact, my dad has told me on several occasions that not only do I inspire him to eat healthier, but that he tries to reduce his meat intake himself so that he may attain a healthier diet. So the next time someone pulls the “unsafe diet” card on me, I will make sure to pull the “my dad is a doctor” card on them. 

One thing that has never departed from my memory is when my younger sister told me of a day in her health class she thought she would share with me. 

My sister’s health teacher composed an idea that the class would do a survey on what type of ‘person’ everyone was. After completing this task, the teacher asked the class, “Did anyone get a vegetarian to sign theirs? Is anyone a vegetarian in this class?” Everyone looked around blankly. The teacher went on, “No? Well that’s good. Vegetarians are idiots. Why would they live here? This is Texas.” 

Another experience that truly touched my heart is when I was at my best friend’s house. His parents had just learned that I was a vegetarian. As his father asked me the repetitive, cliche, “What do you eat for food?” I only sighed and stated, “Everything but meat.” 

Following this was one of the most emotive replies I have ever received to this statement. 

“I was just wondering, because I do a lot of cooking. And I just need to know what kind of things I can cook for you for dinner.” 

Before this, no one has ever attempted, or even offered to cook for me, not even my own family. This truly brought tears to my eyes. 

I guess you can say that I am weird, or that I am different, or that I am stupid. But frankly, I just do not care too much. Because I am a vegetarian, and that is just who I am.