R5 Midterm 2015

R6 Midterm 2015

Les Gâteaux

Passé Composé...parce que...Imparfait

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R4 Midterm

R3 Midterm

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Je Suis Charlie

Dear Family, As you have heard, there was an Islamic terrorist attack on Charlie Hebdo's offices in Paris, France. Twelve people were killed by the Muslim extremists. Safe in Marin County, I have come to understand the situation through extensive discussion in my French class. The killers, both identified as brothers born in France, but of Algerian decent, spread terror among a civilized country. By murdering twelve employees of the satirical newspaper Charlie Hebdo, they were violating their freedom of expression. Just days later (January 9, 2014), the gunmen were stormed and killed by the French police in a Jewish Deli. Four hostages were killed, while the rest escaped. Many might say it was wrong for the newspaper to publish such controversial religious cartoons. These included drawings for example, of Mohammad's (a sacred figure in Islam) head being cut off. However, freedom of the press comes with a right to express your values and ideas if they lack the involvement of any kind of violence. I have listened to many people in my class convey their opinions on this issue, and not surprisingly, many of them disagree with each other. Some believe that freedom of speech justifies the right to recognize social injustices, but not to insult people's religions. No matter what goes public in the world, whether it's a column in a newsletter, or a broadcast speech, there are always going to be people who strongly hold different beliefs. It's just the question of how far they will go to make people agree with them. In this case, the terrorists went too far to get what they wanted. Even though the Koran states that assassination is not the answer, the brothers felt it was their duty to follow an Islamic calling. I wonder why people choose to communicate through shootings and bombings rather than through sophisticated argument like my classmates. We all should keep in mind that violence is not the answer to anything. Listening to Secretary of State; John Kerry's word to the people of France, I was inspired for how close our counties have become. France being a founder of democracy, the United States has followed in it's path to bring liberty and justice for all. Peace, someday will bring a sense of community to our world--our beautiful, broken world. At twelve o'clock noon, moments of silence have been performed in France: crowds of thousands of people waving their posters reading "Je Suis Charlie", and waiting for the time to come when this will all be over. I cannot express in words the love that you have brought to our home. I shall never underestimate your ability to care, to protect, and most of all, to share your knowledge of the world with my generation. --Maxine Flasher-Duzgunes