Postconviction DNA Testing Should Not Be Encouraged By Peter Roff

In this essay the author, Peter Roff, explains to readers that DNA testing should not be encouraged as the sole relying piece of evidence to confim postconviction. He mentions that it is a significant part of the evidence but not all of it. Roff explains that DNA is only just part of all the evidence required to confirm somebodies conviction. He implies that to rely only on DNA testing would be inadequate. He says "The abscence of a particular individual's DNA at a a crime scene is not alone proof of their innoccence"(532). Throughout the essay he continues to refer to the notion that DNA is not the entire part of evidence, and that all the other elements of the evidence are just as acountable.

I found this essay more convincing then the previous one. I think that DNA testing should be highly considered as part of the evidence, but I dont believe its aboslutely everything. If we were to use DNA testing as the sole telling factor of a crime then our justice system would be vulnerable to mistake. We would be vulnerable to make mistakes because criminals could put other peoples DNA at a crime scene that they weren't even involved in. This would cause someone that was perhaps innoccent to be wrongly accused and convicted. It would be smarter to consider all of the telling factors of the evidence and not just one. The essay was well written and I liked how the author stemmed his arguement from the significance of DNA testing for postconviction.

Postconviction DNA Testing Should Be Encouraged By Tim O'Brien

In this essay the author Tim O'Brien explains about the significance of using DNA testing to confirm convicted felons. He uses an example of a specifc person named YoungBlood. O'Brien explains that Youngblood was innoccent, but he fit the image of the crime he was accused of, which was sodomizing a child. He then explain that Youngblood was convicted and put on death row as a result. However Youngblood by the end manages to get his DNA test and he is set free. If they wouldnt had used the DNA testing for Youngblood then an innoccent man would have been killed. The author used this example to clearly establish his oppinion of DNA testing.

I agreed with this essay. DNA testing is a significant factor in evidence. However if we solely rely on DNA, then criminals will start planting others DNA on things and begin framing innoccent people. I think that DNA is only part of the evidence, a bigger part, but not aboslutely everything. The author selected a good example to support his point of the significance of DNA testing.

Illegal Immigration Does Not Threaten America By Richard Raynor

In this essay Richard Raynor addresses the issues of immigration, and leads the reader through a higher understanding of the real definition of immigrant. He explains that America is founded by people from another country, and that the entire nation is one that doesnt have a specific culture but rather multiple cultures. After doing so he address the issues that immigrants from Latin America face when they try to live in America illegally. They face issues such as doing alot of blue-collar jobs and getting charged a much higher rent than those that are living in America legally. He expresses the benefits of having immigrants in California. He explains that the diversity brings about much progress, and that is a significant reason why California is a more developed state than other states that dont have too many immigrants. The diversity brings many different ideas and businesses that contribute to overall progress.

This essay was a well written one. The author used valid points and statistics for the information he provided. His statements were acceptable from my oppinion because I know that California is full of diversity and progress everyday. I am sure of this because I know how advanced California is when I compare it to Frederick Maryland, and even Tehran, Iran. I also feel a deep sympathy for the illegal immigrants and the hardships they face on a day to day average. The fact is that America is founded by immigrants and white people declare the country of America theirs, when in reality the Natives were actually here first, so if anything its their country and their culture. But since they arent so active in society the white people from European descent have taken it upon themselves to call the country theirs. The real difference about America from any other country is that, it isn't anyones country but everyones country. Its been shared with all the people that contribute to the country to make it a better place. America has been shared by the natives, its been shared with middle easterns, and its been shared by Europeans, so why not share it with Latin Americans too?

I'm Not Willing to Settle for Crumbs By Kim Severson

In this essay the Kim Severson addresses the issue of same sex marriage. The author herself is gay which is significant, because it allows her to better convey the existing issues of same sex couples. She addresses certain issues such as very few places in America allow same sex marriage. Severson also details the issue of having to lie by having to legally declare that the move is an act of residency and not just a visit to get married. In addition to that same sex couples also have to face the issue of paying the same amount of federal tax as those people that arent married. Throughout the essay Severson implies that although their has been more tolerance of same sex couples its still a struggling battle for civil equality. Till today their exists work places that don't allow you to work based on your sexual identity, and also even certain religions that cause activists to revolt against same sex couples.

This essay was interesting to say the least. I have almost no information of gay culture since I was living in a country that strongly disagreed with homosexuality. I do have a friend their whom is bi-sexual, but more towards lesbian. This girl is very interesting and I actually love her, she is a punk and she is into directing and music. She influenced my life significantly, and till this day although I did not properly gather enough information about gay culture I greatly respected its strength and passion. It truely does take alot strength and passion to say something that a majority would disagree with and continue forth with your idea despite peoples ignorance.