the lotus- cira's writing blog

  The American Dream is “ associated with upward mobility and enough economic success to lead a comfortable life ” (Churchill, Issue 21) . I consider it to be an overhyped concept and an ill-fitting idea of what truly defines American success. Often critiqued to be individualistic, when the American ideal should be robust liberty and belonging in the land of the free. Modern capitalism is interwoven generously in the American Dream. While freedom and prosperity are constitutional rights guaranteed to all, they are used to accommodate excessive consumerism and greed. Collectively, we’ve achieved the American Dream over and over since our conception. From war after another, we’ve gathered more land up north, the Midwest, and shortly after, every inch of the continent, reacting combatively at any attempt by Native Americans to have their land returned. By the mid-18th century, we struck gold in North Carolina, and by the mid-19th century, we traded agricultural goods through the Trans...

  Cira F Garza Professor Hall GOVT 2305-023 8 April 2025     Never Waste Netherlands- A Proposal for the Plastic Problem   The Kingdom of the Netherlands. Historically recognized for its scenic fields of pastel tulips and windmills, bicycles cluttering the streets, the gorgeous night sky, and sunsets that make it a memorable ground to visitors and citizens alike. The Dutch Baroque cityscapes, with houses painted. However, what's not associated with the country is its growing plastic pollution. The Netherlands is considered a parliamentary representative democracy, which means they have a decentralized unitary state. The country is ruled under a prime minister; Dick Schoof, who has spoken about climate solutions, as it was an issue of concern when he was elected in June 2024. “All the problems caused by climate change amplify each other. So, climate change is not limited to those countries that are directly affected. In truth, every country is directl...

Radicalization is a process stirred by experience and unrelenting care. Before Grandma Jane died in 2017 she worked for FEMA, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, for those who aren't familiar. Her first case was in 1995, the Oklahoma City Bombing, which remains one of the deadliest acts of domestic terrorism in U.S.. history, taking 168 lives in just an instant. When they called her she was there, prepared to be a shoulder to any grieving parent, with a thick-skinned chest and heart of steel, but a heart nonetheless. She wouldn't ask much more than she needed to because she always understood enough. She didn’t need to Imagine her girls in body bags to care about the victims. She didn’t need to cry to prove her empathy, she just did as she promised and offered shelter, handed out blankets, and noted who and what was still missing. Before working for FEMA, she worked picking up after fire accidents, she recalled entering a nursery, with liquifying cribs, charred teddy bears,...

writing this reminded me of a nursery rhyme, not very proud of it, but not terrible for not writing for over a week. I've been crazy busy studying for finals, but thank you for reading! and enjoy the winter! prompt : Employ color symbolism, as did F. Scott Fitzgerald in his classic "The Great Gatsby" where he used colors like white, green, and blue to represent characters or themes occurring the novel.  My love was green. Guarded while so Generous, to me and to all she knew. It dawned on me. I hardly knew a thing about her despite us being so graciously close. My love found me at the shore of Navagio Beach in Greece. I was alone for the first time in many weeks, a serenity I desperately sought. She approached me, wearing an Emerald suede dress that dragged lazily behind her. Her Hair was damp, her face nude, and her eyes unforgettably viridescent in the light of the Greek sunset. “Sir, would you walk me to my cottage? it’s just down that way.” She pointed between pillars ...

update:  Happy belated Halloween!! this was my first Halloween as a freshman in college and I have to say this is the loneliest time of my life, more lonely than the pandemic! but I did have fun with my bsf last night, we went to a vampire-themed party hosted by the secular student society at a neighboring University. hope everyone reading is enjoying fall! Peter Singer is considered to be a radical activist, and especially for the time in the 70’s when he published his essay “Solution to World Hunger” he’s also written philosophical interpretations supporting animal rights, veganism and wrote, “The Expanding Circle” (1981), which is one of my top 10 favorite novels. I agree with the overall point that we should use our extra money to refrain from Overconsumption of unnecessary goods and use it to help those in need, though I was left with the question; What is our absolute fair share? I believe it depends on how much we already have and whether or not we are in a position to give....

  “ Of all crimes that human creatures are capable of committing, the most horrid and unnatural is ingratitude , especially when it is committed against parents, and appears in the more flagrant instances of wounds and death. ” (Hume, pg.3, paragraph 10) Why Ingratitude? Out of all the despicable things Humans do, Ingratitude may be something all Huamans are at some point, guilty of. I believe what Hume is implying is that out of all the crimes we are capable of committing, A rational person who is aware of their circumstances would find satisfaction in the circumstances they cannot control. Find gratitude, but maybe ingratitude is so bad because out of all the awful situations you could be forced to endure, you still have what you have. You’d then have to wonder, what exactly about ingratitude upsets others? I think it’s the oblivious nature of ingratitude. When people refuse to accept their circumstances can be frustrating. I agree with Hume in many ways. Hume’s Is/Ought problem ...