"Today's Special" by David Sedaris

The main point of this article is to explain how "fine dining" has turned into awful meals. Mr. Sedaris explains that when he and his friend got out to eat in New York, they face ridiculous dishes. He would much rather prefer something simple. However, I think that many Americans can relate to what he's saying. I appreicate simplistic foods because I appreciate the affordability.

Some dishes described by the author have over ten ingredients, and sometimes no one even knows what the ingredients are. Mr. Sedaris talks about how a food with so many different ingredients is humorous because it defeats the purpose of enjoying a meal. A food with so many "odd flavors" can not really be called a food anymore. Sometimes, the plating makes the food a bit less edible and desirable as well. I would much rather prefer a huge burger with cheese over a stick of meat topped with green speckled "things" and shiny glazes with who knows what in them. Sometimes simple really is better.

On to my favorite point about this "busy" kind of cuisine: the ridiculous prices. Although the author did not really touch base on how horrible the prices are. I woud never buy a $35 salad, and I wouldn't care if it had roasted almonds that had been baked in sunflower-seed oil. I would much rather have a salad with French dressing, and for $5 to boot. Although the chefs of New York and other big cities would like to think of these weird combinations of ingredients as food, others would rather call them an "interesting experience." I know that America jumped in late to the game in everything, but this doesn't mean we have to claim new recipes and call them American "cuisine." It's not the quantity that counts when dealing with almost anything, it's the quality, and some things are best served simple (like Google's blank webpage, for example.)

I completely agree with the author's attitude toward "fine dining" : It's not worth it.

"All's Not Well in Land of 'The Lion King' " by Margaret Lazarus

Margaret Lazarus wrote about "The Lion King" (the movie) using deep thoughts and connections she made while watching the movie. She states that the Lion King presents racist ideas, and even implies a gay character. Howver, this was not exactly the first thing that popped into my mind when I think of the movie. Mrs. Lazarus made some pretty significant assumptions when watching this movie. I don't think anyone else could quite understand what she believes, not even her young son, who she said agreed with her.

When I think of the Lion King, I think of the plot, of course. I think of the singing animals and their catchy tunes. I wonder if the little cub is going to survive. However, I never delved in to thought and analyzed the movie for deeper meaning. Lazarus mentions that the hyenas live in a dark place, and are mostly black. She thinks this implies racism. Honestly, the writer wouldn't write such a thing on purpose would he? I would like to think he just wrote it for the story. I am not much for "trying to put thoughts together that weren't supposed to be grouped that way " stuff. Sometimes those kinds of connections can lead to the wrong types of assumptions. For instance, if my grandpa had a long beard and a jolly belly, one could possibly assume that he is Santa Claus. And since "I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus" last year, my mother is really my grandmother?!?! No, of course not. My grandpa is just round and the fake santa last year was my dad in a suit. See what happens when you try to hard to find something, Margaret?

I thought the article was interesting, however I can't take a series of analogies that outrageous and believe them to be true of the movie. However, I managed to "analyze" one thing about Mrs. Lazarus: she doesn't like Disney.

"Do Americans Really Want Jobs" by Ruben Navarrette, Jr.

Illegal immigration is a touchy subject for some Americans. However, many unauthorized people cross the border into our coutnry, and never check out. How are they surviving? Surely not on welfare, because they don't even exist in our country. No, they're surving because they have jobs. Yes, I said it. There are plenty of illegal immigrants with jobs in America, thousands really. Just the thought that someone who isn't even supposed to be here in the first place has a job when millions of legal citizens don't, just makes my blood boil (especially in this economy). However, this article challenged my thoughts about illegal immigrants, and the work they find in the United States.

Americans often expect the best. Because of our high-standard society, we often think that as a part of it, we have already earned our keep. The article mentions that Americans can often find jobs, but that they do not care for the type of work, or that it doesn't pay enough, or that their schedule falls over their favorite t.v. show. The author makes a point that illegal immigrants are low maintenance, and don't expect a lot, seeing as they were just happy to escape from, say for example, an impoverished country. Illegal immigrants will take anything that pays, most of the time, making them eye candy for the average employer. Some businesses have hired large numbers of illegal aliens in the past because they can save money and the workers require adn expect less of their jobs.

Although I used to be angry at the thought of an illegal immigrant taking up an American job, it's almost entirely true that there is work to be found. It might not be as much pay, or benefits, or hours as one might want. However, it's a job, and in these tough times, anything that pays is a blessing (don't take this too literally).

"Teaching Tolerance in America" by Dudley Erskine Devlin

Mr. Devlin said it best in his article, "Teaching Tolerance in America," stating, "Helping students appreciate and welcome differences in culture, racial heritage, and personal identity…are especially hard to teach." He mentions the problems that cliques, gender discrimination, and social classes create in the average American high school. The article points out that although America is "the land of the free," and so on, high schools are not implicating and enforcing rules and codes to protect the freedom Americans should possess from discrimination.

Among the most noticeable difference between cliques, are racial differences amongst students. These groups mirror the cliques that society has already quietly implemented for years. The author calls out to students and educators to make it so that these groups disappear entirely. However, it is not entirely fair that the young adults and children of America should be faced with the daunting task of bringing Americans of different ethnicities closer together (even if there is success in doing so.) These kinds of issues should be brought to a head and solved by mature adults in America, the very people that taught their kids who they should "eat lunch with," and so on (if not by explanation, by example). Children who cannot tie their own shoes should not be thrown into the fire of racial issues and even tension, though they are more successful at breaking barriers than common adults who are stuck in their ways.

Next, Mr. Devlin mentions the gender issues in classrooms, such as males harassing girls for being "fat," and so on. I can believe that it happens, but the author makes it sound like guys are the only offenders. I have seen some pretty vicious "chicks" talk about other girls, worse than any man could, in my opinion. Although I will agree with the author when he says that the issues exist, I do not think they are up there on the intolerance scale with cliques and social classes.

The last problem mentioned in the article revolved around social classes. We all have them, "geeks, jocks, skaters," it's nothing surprising. However, these groups could potentially be the ones responsible for tearing Americans apart the most (and it starts at an early age). The main problem associated with social classes is bullying. Bullying is an issue that I believe is misunderstood in schools across America. You don't have to be the kid who jams someone's head into a locker to be a bully. It can involve mental harassment as well. I strongly support the "no bully" programs at schools, because they are the quick and even "cool" way to stop harassment before it starts.

The suggestions given by the author to solve these school offenses by groups across America range from implementing uniforms to having tolerance classes offered at school. Frankly, I don't agree with almost any of Mr. Devlin's suggestions on how to build up tolerance. I won't speak much on the uniform issue, but uniforms hinder individuality, and by implementing them, schools would make racial cliques more important, by exonerating the only clear difference that is left unchanged (skin color). I also firmly believe that such tolerance classes would not be taken seriously, and that it would take one, extra special teacher to keep the class from arguing the whole period. Although I do not agree with the authors methods to solving the problem involving a lack of tolerance in schools in America, I do acknowledge that it is a large problem that society is forced to deal with. I think a more appropriate way to find what works best for the students would be to ask them their thoughts and feelings on the matter, much like what the opera company that came here a few years ago did. Students will best connect with what intrigues them, and will only respond passionately to issues that they can relate to. It is important to act swiftly on the matter of tolerance, but it is more important to do it right.