Responses to Statements- Riley

Riley Jones

10.1.2014

I disagree with the statement that the punishment for murder should always be death because there are many circumstances surrounding what could be called murder. If you define murder as a person willingly killing another person, then I do agree that some cases should have the death penalty. But, if the “murder” was accidental, then I do not believe that the person should be punished. This also applies to self defense. But, if as above, the person willingly and meant to kill the victim, then I believe there should be a very severe consequence. Whether or not this is the death sentence, that is for the judge to decide.

I agree with the statement that teenagers can’t understand what true love really is, because teenagers are going through many changes, both psychological and physical. Those changes mean that teenagers can be ruled by their hormones instead of their heads, or their hearts. I think that it also takes a few more years of world experience and exploration of self before one can really know what love feels like for them.

I disagree with the statement that killing someone in revenge for killing a close friend is okay, but only because revenge can be taken in much better ways. Death is the easy way out; completely destroying their life and making them live with what they did is much better. Destroying their life includes ostracizing them from all their friends and family, or destroying their reputation. If you take what means the most to them, they will feel as horrid as you do. This, of course, will not bring your friend back, but the killer will have a fitting punishment.

I agree with the statement “good friends should stick together no matter how wrong a friend is”, because friends should always have each other’s backs. That doesn’t mean that the “right” friend shouldn’t try and change the “wrong” friend’s mind, but they should always stick together against outside forces.

I very strongly disagree with the statement that parents should make the decisions about their children’s lives. Parents are meant to be guiding forces, they are not supposed to take over their child’s lives. If the child is going to do something monumentally stupid, of course the parents should try to stop them, but the best way to learn a lesson is to make the mistake. The child needs to live their own lives, and the parents need to let them.

I strongly disagree with the statement “it is possible to fall in love at first sight”. People are multi-dimensional and sometimes do not show who they really are on the surface. After all, “looks can be deceiving”. You need to get to know the person first, because loving the way they look is only attraction or lust, not love. Love is an emotional connection, and if you like how they look, it’s a bonus.

I agree with the statement “telling lies or hiding the truth is acceptable of the right reasons”, but only to an extent. If the lie or hidden truth is murder, then this statement is wrong. But if it is a white lie, like the time you went to sleep or if you took extra dessert, then this statement is true.

I disagree with the statement that family feuds only affect adults, because I know if two families hate each other, the children will be biased towards each other as well. this affects their school life as well as their outside life, because their families wouldn’t like them being friends. The children might even bully each other, extending the feud to the next generation.

I very strongly disagree with the statement that there are times when arranged marriage is appropriate. Your parents NEVER get to decide who you will (hopefully) spend the rest of your life with. Even if you do end up with some sort of affection towards your partner, it was not your parent’s decision to make. They shouldn't’ take away your right to choice. Arranged marriage is even worse in 2nd-3rd world countries, because rape is always a problem, especially in the countries without many women’s rights.

I agree with the statement of each person has a soul mate, because soul mates are all about chemistry. Everyone has at least one person that they just click with, and whether they are a “romantic” or “platonic” soul mate is irrelevant.