In Ender's Game, Graff tells Ender that "Human beings are free except when humanity needs them." Do you agree with this quote? Why or why not? Write at least one good paragraph with at least one personal or historical example in support of your opinion. Be sure to sign your post with your name and class block letter. Post by 3:15 on the afternoon of 9/13.
I agree with this statement. An example of this, is a draft for war. Being part of America, is being able to say no, if you want to. Although this is true in some cases, it isn't true when you're drafted. This is because, if you are drafted for war, you must go to battle, no matter what. In my opinion, there is no point in have an amendment, if it will not be followed.
ReplyDeleteKatherine-E
I agree with Colonel Graff's statement. This is a true statement because if a person is going through hardship, they will often look up to someone else for help. When someone needs you to look up to, you cannot let them down or set a bad example. You must appear perfect in their eyes, as well as stay strong. This is hard for people to do when they are not thinking before they act or being "free".A good exaple of when people looked up to a leader during a hard time would be during Katrina, when the people staying in the super dome were being deprived of basic needs, they looked up to our nations past president, George Bush to provide relief. When he didn't fulfill his duties, many people in New Orleans stopped thinking of him the way they did before. This quote explains how life in the public eye, is not always as glamorous as it seems.
ReplyDeleteGabrielle-C
I disagree with this quote. This is so because if everyone was free all the time, and had no responsibilities or obligations, then when humanity needs them, they won't be prepared. For example, if Ender had never went to battle school, and he was never educated, then when humanity was "calling" he would not be ready. So, overall I disagree with Graff's statement, "Human beings are free except when humanity needs them."
ReplyDeleteI disagree with this quote. In the book although Ender is strongly persuaded to go to Battle School he is not forced to and he makes the decision. Humanity is calling on him to go, but he has the decision to be free or not. America preaches freedom in the country and they give the people a choice on what to do. An example is the war we are fighting in right now. Although in prior wars there was a draft, in the wars that are currently taking place although asked to enroll the citizens of America are given a choice on whether or not they would like to go. The quote "human beings are free except when humanity needs them" is not true because of the freedom given in the United States.
ReplyDeleteWalt-E
I disagree with this quote because if humans were free and able to do whatever they want there wouldn't be laws. Since there are laws it prevents humans from being able to do whatever they want. For example the law that says marijuana is illegal in Louisiana tries to prevent people from smoking it. This proves that humans are not free to do what they want.
ReplyDeleteKevin Steiner E
I agree with Graff's comment because everyone is needed to do something important for others at some time or another. An example of someone being needed to take care of other is the President of the United States. He must take care of the country and try to fix problems. As president, he is needed by the public and cannot turn a blind eye to America's problems and do nothing to help. While not everyone has things as important to do as the President, everyone has responsibilities and obligations that they must fulfill.
ReplyDeleteNathaniel- G
I diagree with Colonel Graff's quote. Human beings are definitely free to do whatever they want. You are free to do anything your heart desires. But at all times in a persons life there will always be someone who needs you. Your mom, your dog, your friend; someone will always need your assistance. Everyone has obligations and responsibilities to helping others. So to say that you're free is wrong because while you can do whatever you want there will always be a time when help is needed. Everyday when I go to school i can choose whether or not I want to work hard or slack that day. But in essence I don't have a choice because if i don't do well in school then I'm wasting my parents hard earned money while I could be working as hard as possible to earn the education that will allow me to get a job where one day i will be able to pay my parents back with gifts and the assurance that I will be fine on my own in the world.
ReplyDeleteI agree with the quote that Colonel Graff said. If humanity needs a single person to complete a very important job then it is their duty to step up to the plate and complete it. Because it is their moral duty they are technically not "free". For instance during World War II, Western European countries called upon America for help, with their hard economic times. America helped these less fortunate countries because the humans in these countries depended on them. Graff is correct because even though in some cases it is possible for people to not fulfill their duty, they are not "free" from their consceinces, telling them they did the wrong thing.
ReplyDeleteSasha-G
Ronnie Lamarque-E i disagree with this quote because it does not make sense to me. How is humanity not free when humanity needs them. They may be saying when humanity needs help, you cant stand and watch. But over all i disagree with this statement because it does not make sense,and they have to have responsibility in order to be educated. i disagree with the statement, "human beings are free except when humanity needs them."
ReplyDeleteI have mixed feelings about this quote. First, this quote is debatable because if your mom asks you to walk your dog, you can say no with minor repercussions. But if you are drafted by the military, you cannot say no because you have no choice. Another example is that everybody has certain obligations to humanity, and it is their responsibility to fulfill them. In other words, depending on what you are asked to do, the choice to not do what you are told varies. The last example is school. We are not free because we are forced to go to school and we have no choice. We are "called on" to go to school and perform our best by our parents. Overall, I agree with some of the things this quote says, and I disagree with other things that it says.
ReplyDeleteTwomey-G
In Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card, Colonel Graff says “Human beings are free except when humanity needs them.” I agree with this statement in both the book and in real life. At the beginning of the book, humanity needed Ender because the universe felt that the Buggers were ready to attack us. Since humanity needed Ender he was basically forced to go with Colonel Graff. This happens in real life too. During WWII, there was a draft going on. The draft was when young adults were forced to sign up to enroll in the war. This showed that human beings are free except when we (humanity) needs them. So, I agree with Colonel Graff’s statement “Human beings are free except when humanity needs them.”.
ReplyDeleteDavid Gertler-E
I agree with Graff on this. In this quote, Graff is basically saying that people are free to do what they want, but when the time comes, they need to step up and do their duty. Graff is basically describing a war-time draft, which is a good thing. The wartime draft worked well for us in WWII, which shows that it will probably work. The only thing that could go wrong with this is if humanity does not get ready in time.
ReplyDeleteI do not agree with this quote because in the US after the war in Vietnam the only soldiers are volunteers. That is because even though there is a war going on people still have the right to do what they want. That could include not going to enlist in the army. There is no longer a draft to force people to enlist in the army.
ReplyDeleteBen Luongo-D
I agree with Colonel Graff's statement, "human beings are free except when humanity needs them". I agree with this statement because if humans were free they would do whatever they want to and no one would control them. For example, most humans don’t like to go to school so they wouldn’t go if they didn’t have to. Since there are companies and other jobs which need workers and workers need to be educated, we need to be educated. So if we want for our world to be running and not to be screwed up, people have to be educated and go to school.
ReplyDeleteAlexa-C
I agree with the quote by Colonel Graff. First of all humans can do whatever they want whenever they want to. But when something occurs like a war then there is a draft. A draft is when people have to sign up for war. So when someone has to do something they are not free anymore. So I defiantly agree with Colonel Graff’s quote “Human beings are free except when humanity needs them."
ReplyDeleteI agree and disagree with Colonel Graff's statement. On one hand, humans are free to make their own choices regarding their lives and, depending on their position in society, the lives of others. We are free-willed, and at times selfish, creatures who are "free". However, no grown person is actually free from social codes and norms. We are all obliged to follow the rules of etiquette and courtesy throughout our lives. While it is actually our choice to do so, not doing so would result in being outcast from society, itself. Which, as human beings, we don't want. The only time in our lives when we are free from these social rules are as young children, when we haven't been taught and are therefore excused from the consequences of our actions. Even as adolescents, anything we do that is not seen as acceptable is written off as "they don't know any better" in society's eyes. Teenagers are expected to be rebellious and irrational by the world and, by a sort of self-fulfilling prophecy, have become just that. Graff, an agent for the Battle School, took this time, this freedom, away from Ender. He was a free child, until they brought him to battle school. Ender was free, until society decided to use him, until society decided they needed him.
ReplyDeleteMiranda- G
I agree with this statement. People can live their own lives without any interference as long as they are not needed for something bigger than themselves. Even though people have a choice, I do not think that Colonel Graff meant that people are forced to help out the greater good, but are intended to. A not so serious example of this is community service. If people decide to help out they are becoming less involved with themselves, and more into the environment and the people around them who are in need. They are helping when humanity needs them.
ReplyDeleteJenna-E
I agree with this statement because if someone is looking up to another person then that person must set a good example. The person that is in need of help is expecting to be steered in the right direction. This is not always the case. For example, during the time of the Great Depression the families that had no money and no job were expecting the President to help them recover. The President did not however help them and lacked leadership. This statement clarifies that there is not always someone to look after to help you recover from a hardship.
ReplyDeleteElliot-C
I agree with this statement, "Everyone is free until humanity needs them." An example of this is when people are in the military fighting in World Wars. You are not allowed to say yes or no when told to join the military, unlike most things when you have to option to pick what you want to do. Furthermore, if not told to join the military everyone is “free,” or allowed to do anything that they want to do that is allowed by the law. For example, humanity needed Ender to join the military, and since he was a kid they persuaded him to join by saying how good he was and how everyone needed him and his skills. Therefore, the statement, “Everyone is free until humanity needs them,” is indeed true.
ReplyDeleteKennedi Walker – E
I agree with the quote, "Human beings are free except when humanity needs them." I agree with this quote because people are free to do as they please but when they are called upon they should except the responisibility and help others. If people spend most of their lives being "free", helping humanity once in their life should not be such a bother. For example, during the Great Depression when the stock market crashed, the people looked up to Herbert Hoover for help. Herbert Hoover, instead of taking charge when "humaniy needed him", he thought the people should handle the situation themselves. Without the proper guidance, America could not regain their original state financialy, creating the Great Depression. Herbert Hoovers' lack of leadership on the situation at hand made the people regret their decision on voting for him which quickly made his popularity downfall. This example shows that Hoover was not a noble person because when "humanity needed him" he did nothing which resulted badly for him and his country.
ReplyDeleteRiley-E
I agree with Graff's statement because humans can be carefree and do whatever they want. But when other people need another human's help, they are obligated to help others, and do what they need for the good of mankind. Humans are free to do whatever until their country or even just other people need them.
ReplyDeleteMichael McAlpine - G
I agree with Colonel Graff’s statement, “Human beings are free except when humanity needs them”. People are free to live their lives until someone bigger then themselves needs them. This is a true statement because when humanity needs a human being if not enough people volunteer for something such as war, the government will eventually need more human beings so it won’t be a choice. An example of the government following this was in the World Wars they had to draft people and they had to go to war by force. This proves that humans are not totally free to do what they want.
ReplyDeleteCharlotte Huger- G
I agree with this quote because Ender did not have a choice to join the army. Humanity needs him to save from the buggers but if they did not then he would have been able to choose what he wanted to do with his live. A historic example is Robert E. Lee. In his life he respected the United States but when Virginia sided with the Confederates he had to side with his state. This is almost the same situation as Ender. This is why humans are free until humanity or their country needs them.
ReplyDeleteI agree with the Graff's statement, "Human beings are free except when humanity needs them”. It is true that human beings have the freedom to be whatever they want to be and help whomever they want -whether it’s good or bad for humanity, but when the world needs them they are nearly obligated to help. A clear example is when the United States has a war. At first volunteers are accepted but in a case where no one volunteers and the military needs people, the military can issue a draft to make signing up mandatory for the few unlucky people who get picked. Therefore, in situations like this a human is no longer free when humanity needs them. Furthermore, when humanity or someone needs a human being, the human being in the least sense is not free from having to make the choice whether to help or not.
ReplyDeleteCaroline- C
I agree with Colonel Graff's statement, "Human beings are free except when humanity needs them." because I believe that if a human being is called upon to help humanity in anway, the should always do so if they are able. Likewise, I do not belive that Colonel Graff is saying that a human being is forced, and they have no choice but to attempt action. He is saying that it is the right thing to do, and a human being should always do what's right whenever possible. A blithe example of someone living by this statement would be if a small child were to fall and cut themselves, they wouldn't know how to protect their wound. If any human being knows how to clean the cut and put on a bandaid, then it is their duty as a fellow human being to help the child.
ReplyDeleteJamie Hawkins - (E Block)
I agree and disagree with this quote. Because everybody is different, we all may think of things in different ways; making the quote true or false for different people. An example of this is going to school. Most kids think of going to school as an obligation. But for an adult who decides to go back to school after dropping out years ago, going to school is a choice. Some people wait until they have no choice but to do something for humanity, like being sentenced to community service after being arrested, but some people do things for humanity even when they are free and have the choice, like volunteering to do community service. Therefore, the quote can be true for some people, but it depends on who they are and what situation they are in.
ReplyDeleteSarauniya - C
I agree with Colonel Graff’s quote. Human beings are free to do whatever they want. Human beings don’t have to do what other people tell them to do all of the time. People have the right to say no. But most of the times parents will force you to go to school so later in your life you can get a job to help other people out. When you are told to clean your room you can say no and get away with it. When people need your help in a bad situation you are not free you would do whatever they needed. Also, when people are looking up to you most likely you try to do your best to set a good example.
ReplyDeleteBrittany- E
I agree with Colonel Graff's quote. I agree with this quote because it happens in everyday life often. One example is war. When war comes upon the United States we take action. One action includes drafting Americans. Drafting is when men or women put themselves up for the war and people from the war draft them. Unfortunately during this time people are forced to give up their everyday life to go to war. In conclusion this is one example of how humans lives are free until humanity needs us.
ReplyDeleteAshton Politz - D
I disagree with this statement,because human beings have their own choice to know if they want to help humanity or not. An example of this is 9/11. Americans of Middle Eastern decent had to go through stricter searches at airports. Their freedoms were taken away in the name of security for the country.Its is not humanities choice to know the the human beings are going to do, it is their choice
ReplyDeleteAlisen- G
I disagree with Graff’s quote. America is about being free and doing what you want, as long as you don’t break the law. Graff’s quote, "Human beings are free except when humanity needs them.” is not true to me. There was a time in WWI and WWII where Americans thought it was an honor to volunteer to go to war and fight for their country. This shows that human beings are free and sometimes willing to contribute when someone needs them. Also, consider the US Armed Forces today. We have one of the best armies in the world made up of 100% volunteers. Another example that I think supports my opinion is volunteerism. Consider the hundreds of thousands of volunteers who have come to New Orleans to help rebuild our city after Hurricane Katrina. So I disagree with Graff because there have been times where people have been free and had the right to chosen to contribute. –James Gibert-E
ReplyDeleteI agree with Colonel Graph's statement. While there are numerous examples of this obligation, one major example is the terrorist attack on the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001. When terrorists flew planes into the towers, Americans immediately stepped up to save people. Firefighters went into the weak buildings to rescue people. Had citizens not fulfilled their duty as Americans to save the people in the buildings, hundreds of more lives would have been lost. This proves that people are free, but when humanity needs them and is at risk, then that freedom is hastily revoked and replaced by responsibility.
ReplyDeleteDrew - D
I agree with this statement. Humans have the right of choice until desperate times come such as war, when a draft is put in place. Another example of this is poverty. A poor human with a family, is no longer free. He has to work and struggle to get food for his family. In Ender’s Game this happens when Colonel Graff comes to ask Ender to join battle school. If Ender would have said no, Colonel Graff wouldn’t have stopped persuading Ender to go until he finally agreed.
ReplyDeleteDavid Terral - G
I believe that what colonel graff said was right. i agree because it is a persons duty to help their community even if it isn't what they want to do. An example of this is America joining WWII. they did not want to join it, but without them the axis power would have won. this proves that what colonel graff said is true.
ReplyDeletePeter Gandle-E
I agree with this statement. In the book and also in the real world. Humans should live freely until they are called upon to do the thing that would help save whatever at any given moment. In the book, Ender was a free child until he was drafted to help the military fight the buggers. Also in real life, people who are free, should help the people or the community that is trying to save humanity. People who are not doing well often look up to the better people to help them, so you should set good example and not let down people with poor examples.
ReplyDeleteI disagree with Graff’s statement. Humans are free even when called on by humanity. Although Ender is called on by humanity he is given the choice and is not forced. Ender could have easily said no to Graff when he was asked to join battle school. An example of humanity calling on individuals and not being fulfilled is the war. In previous wars humans were forced to join the draft to save humanity but in the most recent war in Iraq individuals have the choice to join and help humanity but don’t have to even when called upon. This proves that Graff statement is wrong.
ReplyDeleteAidan-C
I agree with the Colonel's statement on some parts, but on other I do not. When we had a military draft in the States, you had to participate by law to defend humanity in this case it was the US. If you choose not to you would have gone to jail and you would have not been free anymore but under the surveillance of the police. Another example would be if you were the best player on a sports team and the coach needed you to play in the game in order to be world champions the world would depend on you but you can throw the towel and quit but the world would hate you. Therefore I agree with Graff's statement but not completely.
ReplyDeleteAbbas Mohammadi-C
I disagree with Colonel Graff's quote. Human beings always have a choice and are free to do what they want even if humanity needs them. In the book, even though Ender went to battle school, he had the choice to go or not. Humanity was calling for him to go and he could have said no. America promotes freedom and to give people a choice. People will always need help and it is a responsibility to help them but there is still a choice to say no. An example of this is the war going on right now. In prior wars there was a draft but now people are volunteering to help humanity and fight in Iraq because it is there choice. Even though people are requested to go to war they can still say no. This proves that humans have a choice and are free to do what they want.
ReplyDeleteCole-G
I disagree with this quote. We should all have a choice and free-will in life and not leave it to fate. Such as how you would to choose between Doritos and Lays potato chips or Blockbuster and Netflix. Fate doesn't know what we are going to do in life when the future hasn't happened. It's like how John Lennon chose between Yoko Ono and the Beatles. Therefore I disagree with General Graff's quote from Ender's Game.
ReplyDeleteGarner McAshan-G
I have a really mixed opinion on this, but I'm more on this side of agreeing with this statement. Humans are free mostly. We're free to establish ourselves in the community. We're free to do anything with our lives. However, we're not free from the control of our government. If I were to be called upon right now to serve as a soldier for a future war that was inevitable and the United States was already recruiting troops for, I would be forced to join. I could march up to the White house and yell, "NO!" in Obama's face and still get recruited. Ender although he had the option to say no. I don't really think saying no would've helped his situation. If he were to say no, Graff wouldn't just get up and walk away. He'd do everything in his power to make sure Ender said yes. People have choices in life, but those choices are really already answered for them. Ender had the choice, but as soon as Graff asked him that question, he new that Ender was going to be stepping on that space shuttle for Battle School sooner or later. So all in all I agree with this statement, but if asked to present an argument about disagreeing with this statement I wouldn't have a problem
ReplyDeleteI agree with Colonel Graff's statement. A good example of this is the peace time draft during World War II. Those who were drafted were free to do as they pleased but once America entered the war they were need because America needed these men to fight to keep the country alive. This relates to Ender because he was free to do as he pleased but once the time came for war he felt it was his moral duty to fight against the buggers to keep humanity alive. These examples explain my reasoning behind my belief in Colonel Graff's quote.
ReplyDeleteIn Ender’s game Graff says to ender “human beings are free except when humanity needs them”. I agree with this because if Ender did not go to battle school then humanity may have gone extinct due to the attempted genocide of the human race by the buggers. If one human could waste his youth saving the human race then by all means he should have to. The only way to keep the humans alive is by having Ender destroy the buggers. - Jack Stern F
ReplyDeleteI agree that humans are free except when Humanity needs them. If you were drafted for a war, you have no say in if you want to go or not. When called upon by your nation you have to serve to the best of your abilities. Colonel Graff is correct when he said that humans are free except when Humanity calls upon them. Ender could not have said no when he was called to take part in Battle School. This was a liable statement by Graff.
ReplyDeleteWilliam Uhalt- C
I agree with Colonel Graff's statement. An example of this is when people were drafted for World War II. A draft for war is when people are forced to fight in the war. When you’re drafted you don’t have a choice, it is a requirement by law. Though, American people have rights, this is not true in all cases. This is why I agree with Colonel Graff's statement.
ReplyDeleteBlakely - E
I agree that people aren't free unless humanity needs them. An example of this is the draft for war. They are free to do what they please until they are picked to go off to battle with no choice, but to go. This means that they are not free.
ReplyDeleteHannah-E
I agree that people aren't free unless humanity needs them. An example of this is the draft for war. They are free to do what they please until they are picked to go off to battle with no choice, but to go. This means that they are not free.
ReplyDeleteHannah-E
I do not agree with Colonel Graff's statement. I think that people are free no matter what even if their country is in need. Ender had a choice whether he wanted to go to Battle School in the beginning even though his country needed him. People have a choice to choose whether to help their country or not. Elena-D
ReplyDeleteI agree with Colnel Graff's statement. I agree because you are, and everybody is free unless an extreme time comes and someone is needed-your freedom gets cut back. As Peter G said, in WWII we were free until we were needed. I think that is a great example of that quote. Overall, Graff's quote is very true and there are plenty examples of it.
ReplyDeleteKyla-D
Colonel Graff tells Ender that humans are free except when humanity needs them. I disagree with Graff's quote. I disagree because if humans were free then there would be no government. Also there be no laws or they would be very different. For example if humans were free then there would probably be no taxes. Overall, if humans were free the world would be a very different place than today. This is why I disagree with Graff's quote.
ReplyDeleteCora-D
I agree with Colonel Graff that "Human beings are free except when humanity needs them." A good example of this statement would be the draft for World War 2 people were forced to help by law even though most of them didn't want to. As a result people died because of the war. These are some reasons why I agree with Colonel Graffs statement.
ReplyDeleteI do agree with this statement because humans are free to carry on their lives until a crisis breaks out. A crisis such as a war requires humnaity banned together and resolve conflict. At this point humans are not free because they are required to do whatever the government asks of them. I do believe that humans are free unless humanity is at stake. Julian -D
ReplyDeleteI agree with Colonel Graff that "Human beings are free except when humanity needs them." A good example of this statement would be the draft for World War 2 people were forced to help by law even though most of them didn't want to. As a result people died because of the war. These are some reasons why I agree with Colonel Graffs statement.
ReplyDeleteHaley-C
I agree with Colonel Graff’s quote. The Vietnam war proves it. When the Vietnam war began there was a draft where the United States government selected men to join the military and fight in Vietnam. Those men were required to serve an amount of time fighting in Vietnam. The men that were selected were free until they were drafted for war and if they came back. Most men didn’t want to be drafted but humanity needed them. Walter-C
ReplyDeleteI agree and disagree with the statement, “Human beings are free except when humanity needs them.”It is true that humans have the ability to be free and do what they think is necessary for their good, but also there are everything things that are just known to be followed. Also the fact that humans can be free and there aren’t necessary people they are obligated to listen, there are rules such as laws. So when humans are indeed free, there are still many things that cannot be done without going recognized. Also, humans are not just in need when humanity needs them . There is something or someone everyday that is going to need help such as family members or maybe a homeless person on the street. But it is your choice to make that decision to help that person. There are also things you don’t have a choice in such as, since I am a kid, going to school, cleaning up my room, and other things chores you are obligated to do as a child. So, with being free there few limitations to follow and obligations.
ReplyDeleteKendall-E
I do not agree with this quote because I believe that humans should be free to do what they want as long as it is not against the law. They have the decision to fight or not, and although it would be necessary for some to fight if humanity really were threatened, it is the decision of each person whether they will fight or not. Another reason I do not agree with Graff's quote is because humanity as never before be threatened. The freedom of nations and territories has been threatened by other nations, but I believe that this quote would have more meaning if all of humanity ever were threatened. In conclusion, Graff's quote might have meant more to me if all of humanity had ever been threatened with extinction.
ReplyDeleteI do not agree with Colonel Graff's statement. I think that people are free no matter what even if their country is in need. Ender had a choice whether he wanted to go to Battle School in the beginning of the book even though his country needed him in order to win against the Buggers. People should have a choice to choose whether to help their country or not. I do believe in trying to get people to think that they have to help to save humanity no matter what but if the person doesn't want to at all it is their choice whether to choose to do it or not. Elena-D
ReplyDeleteColonel Graff`s quote "Human beings are free except when humanity needs them" is false. This statement is false because humans are often oppressed and forced to do things, because of their religion or skin color. Prejudice oppression has been seen in history during the Holocaust, when Jews, Gypsies, and other minorities were jailed, killed, and lost their freedom. Even though Humanity asked nothing of them, they lost their freedom for no reason other than that they were different. The quote "Human beings are free except when humanity needs them" is false because humans have been oppressed and jailed even though humanity did not need them to do anything.
ReplyDeleteAli Rahman – D
Hey, it's John David, I would have to say that I disagree with Colonel Graff's quote. Humanity is never really free, because if your mom or dad asks you do do your chores, you're not free and can't say just say no and do whatever you want. If human beings were free there would be no government and all of humanity would be independent and there would be people trying to take over the world, anyone could do anything, and the whole world would be crazy. So i would disagree when Colonel said, "Human beings are free except when humanity needs them." is wrong because humans are never really free. Humans have a free choice, but always have to do things that are needed from them.
ReplyDelete- John David-D
I can understand this statement, although, in a sense humans are truly never free. I do agree because people will never be free until they die; until then humans will always have responsibilities. In life we are never truly free, you will always face a responsibility; to get a job for money, pay taxes, help your family; freedom is only real if there would be no government and no one telling Human beings what to do. Humans are always needed in one way or another, thus making us never free; we will always have a responsibility, for ourselves, and others. Freedom is only absolute when we die because until then people will always face responsibilities to eat, to feed themselves, in order to live. If I was truly free I would not have to go to school or learn to excel in the free American life. If we were all free we could have our own nation and abide by no one’s rules or laws. If humans as a race where all free we would have never lived as a species. I have a responsibility to learn, this is one strain of freedom, my parents have a responsibility to raise me and this strains their own freedom; a true free life is nonexistent.
ReplyDeleteMatthew LeBlanc - D
I do agree with the part of the quote that humans are not free when humanity needs but I believe that humans are never free. Humans always have consequences. There has also been oppression such as when African-Americans were forced to be slaves. If humans were free they would be able to kill each other which is very awful. So humans are never free no matter if they are saving humanity or not.
ReplyDeleteSigned,
Will Milvid-G
I agree with this quote, because if humanity depends on a human being then they are not free. This quote is good for the book because ender had a lot of responsibilities. Graff is correct by saying this quote. In my opinion this quote makes a lot of sense.
ReplyDeleteNicky - E
I somewhat agree with this statement, while at the same time I don't. Examples when humanity needs them is the draft, a crisis to be solved, etc. Examples when they do not is when someone, out of the blue, does something although not necessarily needed, but should be done. So, therefore, I have mixed feelings about Colonel Graff's statement.
ReplyDeleteI agree with the quote by Colonel Graff. First of all humans can do whatever they want whenever they want to. In the book, even though Ender went to battle school, he had the choice to go or not. Humanity was calling for him to go and he could have said no. That's why I agree with Colonel Graff's quote.
ReplyDeleteMarquez-W
I agree with the statement “Human beings are free except when humanity needs them," because he’s not just talking about a certain country’s “rules”, he’s talking about an inner sense of survival all people have. For example, last year in history we discussed WWII and how people all over America signed up to fight without getting drafted. If people chose not to fight their people would die. I agree with the statement “Human beings are free except when humanity needs them.”
ReplyDeleteCharles- C
I agree with this quote because humanity is unfair and you have to do some things even if you don’t want to. No matter how you feel your actions or who is asking you to act you still have to obey them. An example of this is the draft. The draft is when men who were strong and young roughly around 25 years old were drafted to go fight for the United States. This applies to the quote because humanity is generally free to make their own decisions until humanity needs them, in example to fight in WWII.
ReplyDeleteIn my opinion, I feel that Colonel Graff's statement varies on the account of if the human being is willing to take the risk of doing whatever he or she wants to do. I have this feeling because a human being is free to do whatever he wants whenever he wants, however the result will not always turn up in a good way. For example, if a person murders someone, then it will not help them in any way if they testify in their trial saying that "all human beings are free to do what they want." The person will still be thrown in jail. On the other hand, if the world is in danger of being eliminated and you are it's last hopes of surviving, you still have a choice. However, if you choose to not save the world, then you will end up being dead with the rest of the world. There are many times when there will be a choice, but there will always be a better choice out of the two. However, whichever side the human being chooses, will always be their own decision.
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