Conserve, Reuse, Recycle.

1. The main point in Semrau's essay is, "Quite simply, use what you have until it can no longer function. Then it's time to recycle." 

2. The fact that Semrau intentionally keeps information from his readers helps the intent of the essay. Semrau explains that he has gone through the majority of his life already, and was looking for what to do next. At the end of his long career, he finally made the decision to retire. He then made the decision to be "green" and useful although his former career was over. He talks about how his childhood dream was to be a surgeon. He goes on in detail to say that being a surgeon was not right for him in the past, but he felt it may be right for him now. His word choice and style of writing leads the reader into thinking that he will be going to medical school at the age of seventy-five. He later reveals that he will be going as a cadaver. He explains that he feels that the best way to recycle, is to "reuse" himself. He says that this is the most effective way to be "green" that he can do. He does not formally tell the reader to do the same, but he provides valid and convincing arguments to follow his example. He wants to make the public aware of the simple things they can do to help the earth. 

Savior of the Nations, Come

The hymn, Savior of the Nation, Come, stresses the importance of Christ's coming and how how through his coming, we are to be saved. The author uses description to express the meaning of the hymn. The general theme is that we are saved though Christ's coming and him being the perfect sacrifice for our salvation. The author uses description many times in this hymn. In the second stanza he says "Not by human flesh and blood" which states that our salvation was not brought by our own doing. he goes on to say "By the Spirit of our God... Women's Offspring, pure and fresh." This shows us that we did nothing to earn our God's forgiveness. We were made "pure and fresh" by his works alone. In the third stanza he talks about how Jesus came from god and returned to him. He also says that when he returned  "High the song of triumph swell", this shows that Jesus had completed the task that God had laid out before him. The author describes Christ as "Glorious" which is an example of Christ's perfection. He conveys the theme of Christ's perfect sacrifice very well by using many different examples of description.

Rev. Borghardt's Sermon Diagnostic

1. 29 times. Makes, slain, died(4), set apart, lives(2), was slain(2), took, put, reigned(2), rose, wants, got, give, make, slows, grabs, holds, smiles

2. The themes of Edward's and Rev. Borghardt's sermons are very unalike. Rev. Borghardt's sermon is very enlightening and talks about how we are saved through Christ. He explains in depth that Christ forgave our sins when he sacrificed himself on the cross. His sermon is positive. On another note, Edward's sermon is very morbid. He explains that we deserve to be condemned to hell but Christ decided to spare us of this punishment. He says that God gave this world full of sinners the gift of mercy out of compassion. The two sermons are contrary, but share the same meaning. 

"Law banning items from rearview mirrors is being rethought"

The author, Matt Helms, is explaining how Michigan lawmakers are considering re-leagalizing hanging items from rearview mirrors. He explains that this law is often ignored and is silly to keep. 

The best quote is "'Some things are gaudy, and I could understand banning that, but this air freshener doesn't distract my view,' said Ortiz". This quote shows that this law is not specific enough, and needs to be changed. This quote shows that people are frustrated and somewhat angry with this law. It shows that people understand the law and know what is safe, and unsafe. I like this quote because it expresses that this law is pointless.

I believe that this ban is ridiculous, and should be replaced with the new law which is being considered. There are some circumstances that this law can be effective and save lives, but there are other instances that make this law illogical. The fact that police officers are allowed to pull you over and ticket you for having something hanging from your mirror "it's just silly for police to pull somebody over for that." For something that has such minor importance, time should not be spent enforcing such a "silly" law. 

Mitch Albom's Article on Lebron James.

Mitch Albom's article about Lebron James states that people always search for something to blame.  I completely agree with Mitch's argument. Many people will take the easy way out of things and blame others for reasons that are not sensible. These attacks on people serve no purpose, and only cause trouble. If Lebron was white, this argument would have never arisen.

I think that Albom's best point is in his last paragraph. It reads "If people shamefully want to grab race as a parachute to safety, they'll do it. You don't have to pull the cord." This quote expresses that the easy way out of things are not always the best decision. People need to put their differences aside and look at the talent.