Is The Government Allowed To Have a Say in Managing People's Behavior?

In the article Sugar Wars by Veronica Majerol, it states how Michael Bloomberg, mayor of New York City, is passing a law banning drinks over six teen ounces. Naturally, this is a major controversy throughout the city. Some wonder whether or not it is the governments responsibility to say what citizens can and cannot eat. This question has been asked throughout the nation as well. In the article, Majerol says, "The sugary-drink debate is part of a larger question about the role of government in managing people's behavior." Many citizens think that it is an individuals right to be able to make his/hers own decisions. However, that has not stopped some states from putting certain bans and limits on things. In Middleborough, Massachusetts they made cursing a public offense, and the governor of Tennessee banned students from sagging their pants. The question is does the government have the right to ban these things?

The author wanted us to think that the government shouldn't be able to ban these things. She does a very good job of staying unbiased. She does this by talking about obesity in New York, and talking about the increase in soda sizes. However, if you look closely you can see her opinion voiced throughout the article. She does this by showing a lot of quotes from people who don't think that the government should be able to ban these things. For example, she quotes Justin Wilson of the Center for Consumer Freedom, he says, "Fundamentally, I don't think we need the government to protect us from ourself."

Personally, I don't think that the government should have that much of a say in what we can eat and do and dress. I think that we as individuals should be able to make our own decisions. If someone want to curse, he/she should be allowed to curse. If someone want to dress a certain way, that person should be able to dress however he/she wants. If someone wants to drink 16 ounces of soda, no one should be able to stop him/her. Although personally, I wouldn't drink 16 ounces of soda, It should be up to the individual to make the decision. 

In conclusion, the article is about the government banning things that some feel aren't up to the government to ban. Also, the author wants us to think that the government shouldn't be allowed to ban these things. I personally agree with the author.

The Armadillo

In the book A Prayer For Owen Meany by John Irving, Owen is really tiny and has a strange voice. One day Own hits a baseball that changes his life forever. That's because the ball hit's his best friend's mother in the head and she ends up dying. I would assume this would change his relationship with his best friend, Johnny, although it appeared not too. Instead, Owen gave Johnny his favorite baseball cards. Johnny returned the baseball cards, then gave Own his stuffed armadillo. Owen gave Johnny back the armadillo, but, he cut off the claws first. I think this symbolizes their relationship.

The armadillo symbolizes Johnny and Owen's relationship. For example, they always used to play with the armadillo. The two boys cherished it. They played with it, and when Johnny went away to visit his cousins, Owen would watch it. When Johnny and Owen got a long, the armadillo was always there. When Johnny's mother died, he stopped playing with it all together. It just sat there, he wouldn't play with Owen for a little bit either. When Johnny gave the armadillo to Owen, I think it symbolized Owen and Johnny trying to repair their relationship. When Owen cut off the claws, it symbolized how there is a part of Johnny and Owen's relationship that will never be repaired. That something will always be missing. It symbolizes how it used to be complete but now it is not. But it also symbolizes how although there is a part that can never be repaired, there is a bigger part that can. It just will no longer be perfect.

In conclusion the armadillo symbolizes Owen and Johnny's relationship. When the relationship is good, the armadillo is frequently played with, the relationship is well. When the armadillo is neglected it's going badly. The claws being cut off symbolizes how a part of their relationship can never be repaired, but it will still work.