Middlesex Blog #2: Current event: Military draft

            The military draft is something that does not concern the everyday child like it does Chapter 11. In the midst of a war the military draft inflicts fear into many parents, siblings and young adults. Many so fearful that they even think about leaving the country to avoid the draft. With big wars such as World War 1 and 2 the draft was necessary to fill in vacant spots in the force. At the end of the Vietnam War the draft was upheld reliving many young American men.

            What if the draft was still in place? Charlie Rangel, a lawyer, believes that implementing the military draft would again would make the United States a safer country. He says,  "If we're going to get into wars, we have to be prepared to make sacrifices. It shouldn't just be poor-ass kids volunteering to do the work". As Rangel states may go into the war simply because they cannot afford higher education nor can they get a good paying job. Therefore, shouldn't everyone be playing a role in America's military system? Although Rangel makes some good points he is having difficulty finding people to support his point of view simply because at the moment were in no need of soldiers.

            In some sense, the Hunger Games reaping and the military draft are two similar ideas. No one wants to be picked besides the few crazy ones who volunteer themselves.  Although joining the military today either by draft or volunteer does not mean a guaranteed death it does increase ones chances. This scares the hell out of us. The idea of and increased likelihood of death.  Basically, the average American does not have the courage to join the military on their own accord. And if the draft still existed one would see a lot of children have the same idea as Chapter 11 and book it out of the country before they hit 18. Rightfully so people are afraid of war because people are afraid of death. War is something that is not new and will continue to coexist with man.

http://www.militarytimes.com/story/military/2015/03/30/charlie-rangel-draft-fight/70373594/

Middlesex Blog #1: Key passage and personal stroy

Passage:

"But this stage didn't last long. My grandfather's mind, locked In its graveyard spiral, accelerated as it hurtled towards destruction, and three days later he started cooing like a baby and the next he started soiling himself. At that point , when there was almost nothing left of him, God allowed Lefty Stephanides to remain another three months, until the winter of 1979" (268-269). 

What was interesting/important:

This passage is interesting to me because it perfectly exemplifies the beauty of life and the inevitable consequence of life; death. In this short passage, Eugenides shows how in the presence of certain illnesses, the body digresses into a stage that is similar to that of an infant. One day your walking your granddaughter to the pond and the next moment, you start "cooing like a baby" and "soiling yourself". As we age our bodies and minds break down. It's terrifying that everyone has the possibility of losing their mind. That once your mind is completely broken down your body can't function which sent Lefty into a "graveyard spiral". A spiral is formulaic starting off slow eventually getting faster. This exemplifies how quickly Lefty's mind was destroyed resulting in his childlike behavior. Additionally, the theme of fate comes up with the mention of "God". That it was a higher force that decided how much longer Lefty should live. All in all, life is unpredictable because death, for the most part, is unpredictable. Like flowers and bees, the body and mind will always be dependent on each other for survival. 

 Personal Story:

Although I wasn't there for the entire journey I did watch my Nana enter her own spiral. One day she's baking cookies, the next she's on an oxygen machine 24/7. However, my nana never lost her stubbornness as an old mind, never listening to the doctors who said that she no longer should be putting salt on her food. Sometimes, if you left her alone in the kitchen you might find a box of saltine crackers missing. Eventually, my mother had to treat her mother like a infant by placing the salt shakers on the highest shelf playing dumb when she was questioned where they were. It really was a strange experience watching someone you love and know crumble before you. Part of me wanted to just listen to the same questions over and over again. However, part of me wanted to run away, back to the days of my own childhood. When I was the one who had to be babysat, not my nana.