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.
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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.
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(100)

Daphna.

Letter To The Editor

24 David Elazar St.
Holon
September 17, 2009

The Editor
Aftonbladet Newspaper
63 Arenavägen St.
Stockholm, Sweden
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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.
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Sincerely yours,
Keran Auster

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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