Wednesday, December 9, 2009

War on the Horizon

Before World War II began, German leader, Adolf Hitler, had a vision of one major German empire that covered all of Europe. Hitler began pursuing his dream on September 1, 1939 when he invaded Poland and started the war. Two days later, Britain and France responded by declaring war on Germany. On April 9, 1940, German forces invaded Norway and Denmark. By May 10, Germany had begun invading the Netherlands, Belgium, and Luxembourg. All three, along with France and the United States, had taken a neutral stance in the war. On June 10, 1940, Italy joined the war, allied with Germany.

The United States involvement, up until Pearl Harbor, had been solely neutral. America did not have the desire to join in the affairs of the Eastern Hemisphere. Content to sit back and watch, America never dreamed on the tragedy that was lurking in the future, waiting to pull her into the war. On December 7, 1941, AN American base in Hawaii was bombed by Japan, killing thousands and wounding thousands more. As a result, President Roosevelt declared war on the Axis Countries.
As I sit and think about World War II, and Pearl Harbor, and the effects they had on our country, I can’t help but think about the war waging in my own family. As armies invade on my quiet little country and things begin to fall apart, I realize that my time to enter this war is drawing near. I can no longer remain neutral in the battle. But when? When will I be pulled in? What will be my Pearl Harbor?

-Holly

Wednesday, December 2, 2009

The Land of Garcia!

I thought that you should know what is going to happen in the future because this may affect you. I don't know if you've heard, but I'm taking over the country, and you can't stop me. It will be called the Land of Garcia! (exclamation point included) The national land animal is the bear, because "Garcia" means "bear." The national bird is the flamingo; the national flower is the Venus flytrap. The national tree is the banana tree, and the national colors are purple and creme. (You may not like the colors, but you can get over it, because there is no flag known to man that is either purple or creme, and my country is going to be unique.)
The Land of Garcia! has many sports; like ice skating, baseball, basketball, lacrosse, swimming, and tennis. There is absolutely no golf, because it's boring and I don't understand it.
Education is important. You can't graduate from high school unless you take all core classes along with mixed martial arts classes and cooking classes. Gym is required every every year in every school. For college, scholarships and financial aid is available.
For every country there has to be laws, and my country is no exception. There aren't that many. You've heard that people who go to jail just have a happy time watching television and sitting around playing cards or whatever. In the Land of Garcia!, if you go to jail, you only get three meals a day, and if you have good behavior, you're permitted to go outside for three hours. That's it; no television or whatever it is they do jail. If you have killed someone, you will be killed the same way. Homosexuality is not tolerated. Abortion is illegal. If found out, you will be kicked out. Ridiculous laws, like the laws mentioned in Mr. Turner's government class, will not be passed. Men who weigh more than 400 pounds and women who weigh more than 200 pounds will be forced to lose weight. My country will be healthy. There is no work on Sunday. No divorce is allowed unless there is abuse or infidelity. Single parents will receive financial help, but to qualify for this, they must have a job.
There's only one leader with two others in command. The current leader appoints a worthy person with a clear mind that will not become too ambitious, and want to annihilate the Land of Garcia! If this ever occurs, there are hidden assassins and spies in place from around the world who will exterminate the leader, and then the people will get a chance to vote on who the next leader will be.
I don't know about you, but I like my future country. You may like it as well, or maybe you think it's horrible and gruesome, whatever. If you don't like it, you can leave.


-Hannah G.