A License To Kill?

The dictionary defines accident as ''an unforeseen and undesirable event''. Strictly speaking, most traffic collisions are not even accidents. They are all incidents that could have been avoided with ease. So, how have road accidents become the number one killer of(ww. - among) teenagers? Every week, the headlines tell us almost the same story: ''Teen driver dies in car crash''. Is not it the time the headlines told us a different story, a brighter one?

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A recent proposal, made by an organization of accident victims, suggests that the minimum driving age should be raised to 19. Radical as it may seem, the proposal bears the potential of stopping the escalating accident rate. Teenagers are thrill-seeking, regarding good driving as the ability of controlling(gr. - to control) their car at high speeds. This behavior recklessly risks their lives and the lives of others. Raising the driving age will help save precious lives and increase road safety, since the older you are - the more mature and responsible you are behind the wheel.

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An alternate way, which might accelerate the battle against car accidents, is education. In order to promote the well-being of teenagers in the traffic environment(phr. - on the roads), school programs must include a significant road safety focus. The development of attentive drivers, skilled in defensive driving techniques, will help create a better driving culture and reduce the number of fatalities on the roads.

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When you look at the current statistics, it gives one a sense of how severe the problem is. Driving is not just about holding a wheel in your hands. It is about holding people's life in your hands. Raising the driving age is critical due to the fact that older drivers are best equipped to deal with any potential hazards on our roads. They are far more reasonable and mature, being able to maintain their cool while driving. Therefore, I believe this proposal should be materialized as soon as possible.

~

Now, that's what I call a great essay!

(97)

Daphna

The Wonderland of Internet

Man has come a long way during his evolution journey. Thanks to his persistent quest for more and more facilities, the technological revolution of computers has knocked on our doors throughout the 90's. At that period of time, the term ''Internet'' was practically anonymous to the vast majority of people. But, as time went by, the Internet has penetrated our lives and become a vital tool we cannot live without. The Internet, just like the coin, has two sides which will be discussed straight away.

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The Internet excels beyond any expectation in the field of communication. By the advent of Internet, our Earth has attained the form of a global village, enabling us to communicate in a fraction of a second with a distant person through e-mails and social networking websites. Moreover, the Internet is a virtual treasure trove of information. Any kind of information on any topic under the sun is available on the Internet. Not only does the Internet save precious time, it also helps us expand our horizons in every single subject.

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Apart from its vast social and education potential, many parents are concerned with the Internet's over-accessibility. Thousands of pornographic websites can be easily viewed anonymously by children. Being exposed in an early age to an inappropriate content may have a negative impact on children's mental health. In addition to the pornography threat, prolonged computer use, caused by hectic web surfing, may cause severe physical health problems related to eye

diseases and bad posture.

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The Internet has by all means conquered our lives. We no longer have to climb the top shelf and leaf through dusty books for hours. Everything now is at our fingertips. But, the wonderland of Internet may contain traps which might hurt us. So, does it mean we have to say ''No'' to Internet use? I keenly believe that not. We should take advantage of the marvels the Internet has to offer, but we must be constantly alert to any virtual danger. That is, I suggest, the recipe for a fruit-bearing web-surfing.

~

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Very good work!

(95)

Daphna

Matriculation Exams

The Israeli students share a common concern related to the long-lasting and tedious Matriculation exams. These examinations are the ultimate admission ticket to advanced studies, as they provide you with a graduation cetificate accepted and demanded by every educational institute. But are the Matriculation exams the best method of evaluating a student's knowledge?
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To my mind, the answer to this controversial question is no. Examinations place a huge amount of stress on students. Having to cope with loads of material under a ticking clock may raise not only the panic level, but also lead to negative health consequences. Moreover, it may evoke among the students feelings of rejection directed at school and learning in general.

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The key to success in the wide-ranging Matriculation examinations is balance. Those in charge should step back, reconsider the pros and cons of the current examining technique and contemplate a brand new evaluation method which will not stress the students as it does nowadays. For instance, schools can also prolong the time set for each examination. Thus, students will be able to manifest their knowledge and not their stress.

~

You are still missing a paragraph. Have you forgotten about this writing task?

(75)

Daphna.

Friends Will Be Friends

Countless people ponder the key to maintaining quality relationships. Well, provided that I am bound to reveal you the secrets of a lasting relationship, I keenly believe that a good friend should have two vital qualities.

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Despite being a rare commodity in today's reckless world, loaylty is an utter requirement in true and abiding friendships. Loyalty is not based merely on keeping a tight rein on our tongues. We may never know what's around the corner, but we all have to have this person who will stand to our right with a warm hug or a heartening word.

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An ancient proverb states, ''Whoever seeks a friend without a fault remains without one''. So, be open-minded and do not negate differences. Variety is the spice of life, especially when it comes to personalities. Our life is not covered with black and white paint, and thus along with a variety of personalities comes a variety of flaws. A good friend should stick to his friend through thick and thin and not desert him due to a certain fault.

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The French well-known author, Antoine de Saint-Exupery, stated once that there is no hope of joy expect in human relationships. A true friendship is worth any price, but yet it cannot be purchased with currecy. It can be definitely attained when you develop a friendship, whose cornerstones are loyalty and conceptual openness. It may take a while, but time is negated when you receive one of the most crucial ingredients in the recipe of life - a true friendship.

~

~

Very good work!

Excellent and very true...

(100)

Daphna.

Across The Universe

24 David Elazar Street

Holon, Israel
21 April, 2010

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The Manager's Office
"See The World" Tours
13 Strawberry Fields Street

New York, United States of America
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Dear Sir/Madam,
~

I am a 25-year-old woman, who wishes to go on an organized tour to the United States. I have always loved the adventure of traveling the unknown. Several days ago I came across your brochure and I would be glad to have the opportunity to feed my passion for travel through your agency.

~

~

Since the accomondation is a nonseparate part in every single voyage overseas, I would also wish to learn about the quality of the hotels offered. Furthermore, I would like to recieve the payment terms your company adheres to, as well as the range of prices for your various services.
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I am eagerly anticipating to already discover overwhelming New York, and thus I look forward to hearing from you at your earliest convenience.
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Sincerely yours,
Keran Auster

~

~

This is a bit too short and it seems you have completed it in a hurry and missed a paragraph.

(92)

Daphna.

HELP AT THE SPEED OF SOUND

24 Dizengoff Street

Tel Aviv, Israel
7 April, 2010

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The Manager's Office
"AM:PM" Radio Station
102 Ibn Gabirol Street
Tel Aviv, Israel
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Dear Sir/Madam,
~

A little bird has whispered in my ear that your radio station plans to produce a one-hour program for the younger audience. As a constant listener of your radio station, I would like to voice my suggestion for a new program addressed to adolescents living in our city.

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I suggest that you produce a radio program with a unique format, in which disorientated teenagers will have the privilege to call and share their difficulties with a certified psychologist.
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From waking up early in the morning to coming home late in the evening, teenagers nowadays encounter various problems regarding their body image, social life and sexuality. During the adolescence years, teenagers are more likely to be influenced by their peers and some go off track, embracing questionable behavior. Parents are not always supportive of their children, and this lack of consolation results in a ramshackle family structure.

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To conclude, I am downright convinced that launching such a radio program is the most proper move your station can do. It will help your radio station gain far more popularity, but first and foremost it will help bewildered teenagers keep their heads above the water and spend their few adolescence years with a broad smile on their faces.

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Best Regards,
Keran Auster

~

~

I think it's great!

(98)

Daphna.

Have You Ever Visited Planet Hell?

The 28th of February has finally come. It was a day the entire Kugel High School expedition has been craving for all year long. It was the day the Polish airplane took off from the Israeli airport and landed within three hours in the cold city of Warsaw. And then I knew that I was not living a dream and that the journey of my life was about to begin.

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No History coursebook can school people better about the Holocaust enormities than the journey itself. Seeing the places of horror helps slightly realize this devilish notion. During the journey, we visited the Aushwitz-Birkenau concentration camp, where the beauty of the green fields is so amazingly opposed to the site's rotten reputation as an accursed death factory. We also visited the Majdanek extermination camp, where the thunderous silence of a seven-ton ashes pile of cremated victims says everything.

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Treading on this bloody ground and singing our national anthem in a voice choked with tears has filled my breast with immense pride. This journey will also be engraved in my mind and heart for its softer and pleasant sections. We strolled along the marvelous square of Krakow and ran from one floor to another in two colossal malls in Poland, looking for souvenirs for our beloved relatives.

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Time has come to return to my precious homeland. Some return with a huge sack of memories. Some return with a massive burden of mixed emotions. Some return with a considerable amount of unsolved mysteries. I return with the recognition that in Israel I was born and in Israel I will live forever on, because there is no such thing like warm home.

~~

I Loved it!

(100)

Daphna.

A Vacation?

24 David Elazar Street
Holon, Israel
9 March, 2010

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The Manager's Office
"Bon Voyage" Tours
64 Ibn Gvirol Street
Tel Aviv, Israel
~
Dear Sir/Madam,
~

I recently went on a two-week vacation to Italy, organized by your company. I wish to express my deep dissatisfaction at the standard of the service I was forced to accept during what I thought would be a soothing vacation.

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Your brochure states that qualified guides take tourists on excursions to explore the charm of Italy. However, our guide's explanations were not comprehensible. Every basic question addressed to him was not answered, and he had a noticeable lack of tolerance.
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Furthermore, I was misled to believe that the hotel chosen was luxurious. Much to my disappointment, the service was poor and unkind. When I finally entered my room, I discovered the sheets were unclean and that the doors were broken and could not be locked. Moreover, when I went to the dining room, my hope to receive a fine meal was not fulfilled either.
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To conclude, our guide and accommodation were sub-standard and did not overlap to the promising details your ludicrous brochure contains. Consequently, I request an appropriate compensation within 14 days for the inconvenience I've encountered during my vacation. I believe it is high time you published far more accurate brochures, so that your future customers would not be led astray as I was.
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Sincerely yours,
Keran Auster
Displeased customer

~

Excellent.

(100)

Applying For A Job

24 David Elazar Street
Holon, Israel
January 28, 2010

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Greenhouse Organization
18 Strawberry Fields Street
London, England
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Dear Sir/Madam,
~

Our planet is suffering. Huge icebergs progressively melt. The Ozone layer keeps on proceeding its steady decline. Weather forecasters report radical changes in the Earth's climate. These facts have always concerned me. The clock is ticking, and still millions of heads are stuck deep in the sand.

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I have been fascinated by our planet ever since I know myself. As time went by, I have acquired a fair amount of knowledge in the fields of Geography and Economy. I have also taken several advanced courses, which encouraged me to study the subject of Global Warming thoroughly.

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I am a hardworking and broad-minded person with an ability to get on well with people from all walks of life. I have outstanding communication skills, which I believe are highly essential, since the organization's ambition is to make people aware of the hazards of neglecting Earth.

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To conclude, I believe my qualifications make me fairly suitable to be a Greenhouse volunteer and help make our planet's future look a bit brighter. Therefore, I would be more than delighted to come to an interview at your earliest convenience.
~

Best Regards,
Keran Auster
~

~

(96)

Daphna

Virtual Insanity

Virtual schools have recently begun to gain ground, and we can see that more and more education officials are embracing the concept. Virtual learning enables the students to study via the Internet through lessons supervised by a certified teacher. The purpose is to alternate the traditional learning form of frontal lessons.

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Many students and teachers applaud the flexibility that online learning allows. Virtual schools are the light at the end of the tunnel for students, who have hardships enduring the pace of many of their classmates. The fact that every student studies individually with a teacher's online support makes the learning procedure far more enjoyable and productive for him.

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However, some decry the method's rising popularity. Opponents of the new form of learning say that virtual schools lack the fundamental social education brick-and-mortar schools provide. Moreover, students may encounter many technical difficulties, which will definitely disrupt the effectivity of the unique learning process.

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I, personally, consider the method of virtual schools as a highly distinctive form of learning for students living in the current age of developing technology. Nevertheless, I believe that virtual schools should not replace the beauty of the traditional method. To my mind, combining both methods will create a positive learning environment, where students have a golden opportunity to mingle education, convenience and fun.

~

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Very good, but you haven't ended it, for some reason.

(95)

Daphna

First of All Be Rich. Then We'll Consider If You Deserve Being a Jew.

24 David Elazar Street

Holon, Israel
December 9, 2009

~

Ms. Gilat Symon

The Principal Office

Kugel High School

1 Mota Gur Street, Holon

~

Dear Madam,

Every year, students throughout the Israeli nation are given the opportunity to explore the harrowing history of the Jewish people under a magnifying glass by allowing them to be a part of a unique expedition to Poland. Many students wish to participate in this unequaled journey, but are compelled to relinquish this desire due to their parents' scanty pocket. Therefore, I would like to complain about the unreasonable price set for the trip, which prevents students from going through this life-shaping journey.

No History coursebook can school students better about the Holocaust enormities than the journey itself. Students must have the capability to pay a visit to the places of horror, where six million of their brothers and sisters were mercilessly brought to slaughter by the accursed Nazis. It is not righteous that a minor portion of students will receive a better education merely because their financial status is better than this of their friends.

At the heart of this delicate subject, I truly anticipate you take action to lower the price of this vital journey. It has been testified more than once that the journey teaches its voyagers lessons of love, brotherhood and peace. On the whole, I believe that it is the government's unquestionable duty to subsidize this journey, but since my request is unrealistic at this point, the least that can be done is cheapening the cost of the journey.

I look forward to your prompt reply.

Sincerely yours,

Keran Auster

Excellent work!

(100)

Daphna.

R-I-P

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The Show Must Go On.

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A Summer's Reading

George Stoyonovich is the main character of the story "A Summer's Reading", a short story written by Bernard Malamud. Throughout the entire story, George endeavors to alter his sluggish behavior and become a level-headed person.

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George is a twenty-year-old boy, who lives in a humble New-York borough. Having negated the opportunity to earn education at school, unemployed George cannot apply for an honorable job. He usually spends the afternoon hours reading second-rate magazines, but when the evening comes, George meanders along the streets in order to flee from his tangled reality. The apathetic environment George grows up in makes it tremendously difficult for him to blossom and prosper in life.
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George has a very convoluted personality. He is amazingly passive and immature. He dismisses every single opportunity to make a significant change in his life. He dislikes being under the supervision of dictating teacher. Regardless of this, he wants to be highly esteemed by the neighborhood people. But, all of a sudden, George opens his eyes and realizes his mistakes thanks to his neighbor, Mr. Cattanzara. Being the single person to be thoughtful of George, he spreads positive rumors across the neighborhood. This fuels George with confidence, and eventually, helps him begin a new chapter in his own book of life.
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At the beginning of the story, George wasn't a character I could cherish much. George permitted himself to tell a lie more than once, until at length he became addicted to lying. I also belittle George's passiveness and desire to blossom without earning it decently. Striving for success without hard work corresponds to trying to harvest where you haven't planted. Though, as the story evolved, I learned to love George for the fact that, finally, he brought himself to change. I felt supreme happiness and tranquility as George headed towards the library, leaving the remnants of childish George behind him.
~~

The Boy Who Was Arrested For Knowing Too Much

We were all raised on the probe that gaining knowledge is not a crime. Well, Vikas Swarup shatters this well-known myth in his engrossing novel, Q&A. The book's suspenseful plot and distinctive structure spellbound me and conquered the highest rank in my own list of 1001 books I must read before I die.

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The novel narrates the life of Ram Mohammad Thomas, an 18-year-old orphaned boy, who becomes the first contestant to correctly answer dozen random questions on "Who Will Win A Billion?". The TV producers, who do not have a billion rupees to reward the winner, have the boy arrested by the police, for reaching the jackpot in a corrupt manner. Truth to tell, Ram managed the entire quiz because each question prompted a different flashback to a genuine event that occured in his turbulent life.

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The author attempts to uncover the underbelly of the Indian society we tend to avoid without devoting a second thought to this vile issue. Homophobia, brutality, decrepit living conditions and racism are merely needles in a haystack Swarup wishes to enveil in his book.

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Q&A is, beyond doubt, one of the most remarkable books I have ever read. I highly recommend this book, as it is much more than a worthwhile activity to pass the long afternoon hours with. Q&A is a mirror shaped into a book, which reflects badly on us as a society.
~

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Great, although I believe your third paragraph needs some clarifications.

(95)

Daphna.

You Are What You Eat

Obesity has reached epidemic proportions globally, with more than one billion adults overweight. Should food manufacturers be held responsible for the alarming statistics? I, personally, shift the blame on us, the light-headed consumers who recklessly head toward the unhealthiest shelves in the supermarket, for several reasons.

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People have the right to choose what to eat. Consumers across the universe can benefit from an unprecedented variety of food products. A broad range of healthy food products is already waiting to be snatched from the shelves, but the vast majority of consumers prefers purchasing the unhealthy products because they bring far more delight to the belly. In this case, consumers must be liable for the forthcoming consequences of their unrestrained food consumption.

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Furthermore, preventing companies from manufacturing any kind of food is a ludicrous course of action, which bears the potential of worsening the worldwide economy. This might decelerate the economic activity even more, which is already in recession due to the severe financial crisis of 2008.

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At the heart of this, I don't believe we should rail against the various food manufacturers for producing unhealthy food. We are the owners of our own bodies! We, as consumers and human beings, should bear responsibility for what we eat. I do believe that the food manufacturers should specify what their products consist of, so that we could derive the most of following a healthy lifestyle.
~

~

(100)

Daphna.

Letter To The Editor

24 David Elazar St.
Holon
September 17, 2009

The Editor
Aftonbladet Newspaper
63 Arenavägen St.
Stockholm, Sweden
~

Dear Editor,

Concerning the article "IDF Troops Killed Palestinians For Organs", I would like to state my resolute disapproval of the ill-founded blood libel published recently in your tabloid.
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Donald Bostrom, the author of the article, said that he was primarily prompted by the concerns triggered by the possible credibility of the report. He had no solid evidence regarding the veracity of the story. As an empowered and honorable author, I would expect him to examine the issue under a magnifying glass and confirm the details. He shouldn't publish a misleading report unless he has fulfilled the aforementioned assignments.
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Not only could Bostrom damage his own reputation as an author, but also Aftonbladet's reputation as a trustworthy source of news in Sweden. Similar situations in the future may lead to Aftonbladet's loss of readership.

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I have no doubt that you wouldn't want to see the occurrence of this as the prime editor of the newspaper. Therefore, I outspokenly suggest you denounce the report and talk Bostrom into delivering a frank apology to innocent and offended Israel.
~

Sincerely yours,
Keran Auster

~

Excellent! I think you should publish your letter.

(100)

Daphna.

13.9.2009

May these two good souls rest in peace.

Pride & Prejudice

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The 2nd of August will be rememberred as a black-letter day for the gay community.

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On a Saturday night, a camouflaged gunman entered the Israeli *LGBT Association's center in Tel-Aviv. Equipped with a M-16 rifle, he began opening fire on the participants of the event. The atrocious massacre came to an end with a sore outcome: two fatalities and fifteen wounded people. The assailant fled from the scene of the crime on foot, still remaining at large.

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The event has evoked complete astonishment among members of the gay community, since no evidence confirms homophobic activity in Tel-Aviv, the most liberal city in Israel. Hundreds of Israeli homosexuals held a rally and lit candles in tribute to the victims of the massacre.
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According to the police, there was no terror motive behind the event. To my mind, the fact that the assailant was prompted by a homophobic factor merely demonstrates that the level of tolerance among the Israeli multitude is meager. The thought of belonging to a shallow and bigoted society saddens me. Hence, I believe that the value of accepting diversity should be delivered to people when they are still in diapers and lack the ability to pick up a rifle and shoot someone due to his supposedly different identity.

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*LGBT = Lesbian Gay Biseuxual Transgender

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This essay was based on the article below:

http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3755400,00.html
http://www.sovo.com/2009/8-7/news/localnews/10450.cfm

When Love Is Suppressed... Hatred Takes Its Place!

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August 17, 2009: A Swedish tabloid, called the Aftonbladet, claimed that Israeli troops killed Palestinians and harvested their organs. According to the report, bodies of Palestinians were being returned within five days with stitches running from their abdomen to their neck. This has evolved a severe diplomatic controversy between Israel and Sweden.
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The author of the article, Donald Bostrom, spoke to Israel Radio, telling he was concerned by the allegations made public. Bostrom said that the article's purpose was to call for an investigation on suspicion to trafficking in organs. Despite this, major Swedish sources have criticized Aftonbladet for publishing a groundless anti-Semitic conspiracy theory.
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The baseless report sparked a furious reaction by Israel's Foreign Ministry, who associated the article with the medieval blood libel. Israel's Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, has tenaciously clarified that Israel is not asking for an apology, but for Sweden's official condemnation of the report.
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Bostrom's report is nothing but a composition filled with mendacious utterances to the brim. As a democratic country, Sweden stands for the freedom of speech, but every positive thing must have its own limitations. Recycling historic blood libels is certainly not a way of using that precious tool. I would be more than delighted to read in the forthcoming days about Aftonbladet's deprecation of the report, and of course, Bostrom's sincere apology for Israel.

~

~
This essay was based on the article below:
http://www.monstersandcritics.com/news/middleeast/news/article_1496925.php/Israel-Sweden-crisis-over-organ-harvesting-claim-intensifies

The Face of Facebook

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200 million people across the globe are registered in Facebook, the most common social networking website, which allows people to communicate with relatives, friends and colleagues. Unfortunately, Facebook has recently become a forum for hate groups. I strongly condemn this phenomenon and believe that the current situation has to change.
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We must not adopt a positive attitude towards this phenomenon. It is distressing to see how people abuse the marvels of technology to make their radical opinions public. Teenagers are an easy prey for hate groups since they are not equipped with enough alertness to the flood of hazards in the boundless world of websites. A teenager may not comprehend the severeness of joining a group of The Holocaust Denial, and thus persuade his peers to join the group along with him.
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The ministry of education has chosen to handle this worrisome problem by giving lectures to students concerning the hazards of surfing the net with least caution. Unfortunately, the healthy messages that the lectures convey will not be assimilated in teenagers' minds since they tend to turn off their ears during a lecture.
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In the light of the information aforementioned above, some would suggest to confiscate Facebook, as the best solution to this phenomenon. I believe that the perfect solution is to remove these groups from Facebook. The key people of Facebook, who brought this brilliant concept to the world, have the capability and power to remove hatred promoters and make a spacious room for peace lovers.

~

Excellent work, as always.(100)

Daphna.