Missing Children (Kidnapping) “The issue of missing children is not a black issue or a white issue it is an American issue,” said by Derrica Wilson (Dericca Wilson). Just in 2020, more than 340,000 kids went missing. The first documentation of kidnapping was on July 1, 1874. Some practical solutions to completely stop or decrease the number of missing children is raising the punishment for kidnappers, teaching cyber safety, and watching who you leave your kids around. Solution one is raising the punishment for kidnappers. By punishment I mean like jail sentence, the fine, and probation. The current jail sentence and fine for those found guilty of kidnapping is,” two to ten years in a state prison and/or a fine of up to $10,000” (Texas Kidnapping Laws 1). This is for a first-time offence; in this case I do not think that it should even be applied. The defendant took someone else's child, and in majority cases follows with rape, starvation, and many other forms of abuse. “If the crime is elevated to aggravated kidnapping, the defendant will be charged with a first-degree felony. This carries a penalty of five to ninety-nine years in a state prison and/or a fine of up to $10,000,” (Texas Felony Sentencing Guidelines 1). Regarding the research, five years is too low, the minimum sentence should at least be 20 years. After 5 years who is to say the defendant would not abduct another child, and who is to say after 20 years, but it is a higher chance they would not. The fine itself should be based on the independent case and the defendant involved. If it is a wealthy person more than likely they can pay the fine easily, so in that case the fine should rise. To end this solution, it all depends on the details of that specific case.  An additional solution to prevent kidnapping is teaching cyber safety to children of all ages, especially in this century the internet plays a significant role in our life. Kids of all ages have TikTok, Instagram, snapchat, and a variety of social media platforms downloaded. What kids do not realize, since they are not taught, is how dangerous social media is. There are predators, scammers, and sugar daddies/mommas. Cyber safety is one of the first things children should learn about because there are a variety of dangers caused by the internet. There is catfishing, some do not even catfish they choiceful message little kids from their adult accounts, putting too much information out about your personal life/location. Some kids message them back not knowing the danger. Reviling this personal information online to the world or just to one person can end up horribly. Even from little kid games like Talking Tom, there was a case, and this grown man was talking to a little girl through the app. The predator asked the girl where she lived, smart enough the girl told her parents, but what the what if thought in the back of our minds is why it is so important. Surprisingly, a higher number than expected of kidnapping comes from a person the family knows or even family members. “Acquaintance abductions make up 27 percent of all child abductions,” (Michael E. Kraut 1). This is obviously high for family or friends; they are the least expected to kidnap a relative or a family member's kid. It is important to watch whom you leave your kids with and make your kids aware also. Just because they are known does not mean automatic trust.  There is a Netflix documentary on this called Abducted in Plain Sight, “In this true-crime documentary, a family falls prey to the manipulative charms of a neighbor, who abducts their adolescent daughter. Twice” (Netflix 1). Berchtold, the kidnapper, was only sentenced to five years, then later reduced to 45 days (about 1 and a half months), and then he only served 10 days (about 1 and a half weeks). The second time, he was arrested again on kidnapping charges, however, was not convicted. Six months were spent in a psychiatric hospital instead. There should not have even been a second time and this also relates back to my first solution. The fact that he did it a second time and did not even serve his jail sentence, is crazy.  Jan Broberg, the little girl that was kidnapped, said,” We must see the subtle signs of predators and be willing to call them out in the right way, so they have no access to kids, and can even be helped” (Jan Broberg).  He was a dear friend to the family, came over almost everyday, yet look at what he did twice. To conclude, I do personally think that these three solutions would potentially help to prevent kidnappings. I strongly suggest and encourage in raising the punishment for kidnappers, teaching cyber safety, and watching who you leave your kids around. One day when I have kids, I will implement this in my parenting style. The big one for me is cyber safety because as the world goes on and we get older, technology is becoming newer and newer and the priority for a variety of things, but mostly communication. Not saying technology is horrible and it should be taken away, but it is and should be a very limited or private area of your personal information and life.  “Https://Twitter.Com/Janbroberg/Status/964729158046646272.” Twitter, https://twitter.com/janbroberg/status/964729158046646272. Accessed 23 Mar. 2022. “Texas Kidnapping Laws.” Findlaw, https://www.findlaw.com/state/texas-law/texas-kidnapping-laws.html. Accessed 25 Mar. 2022. Watch Abducted in Plain Sight | Netflix. https://www.netflix.com/title/81000864. Accessed 23 Mar. 2022 Dr. Drew Talks Americaâs Missing Children Epidemic. www.youtube.com, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rIdOb4oizXU. Accessed 25 Mar. 2022. “Texas Felony Sentencing Guidelines - Spolin Law Explains.” Spolin Law, 1 May 2021, https://www.spolinlaw.com/blog/2021/05/01/texas-felony-sentencing-guidelines/. Missing and Abducted Children | Child Crime Prevention & Safety Center. https://childsafety.losangelescriminallawyer.pro/missing-and-abducted-children.html. Accessed 25 Mar. 2022. “Fans Want To Know If ‘B’ From ‘Abducted In Plain Sight’ Was Brought To Justice.” Romper, https://www.romper.com/p/did-b-ever-go-to-prison-abducted-in-plain-sight-is-one-wild-story-after-another-15946883. Accessed 23 Mar. 2022.       

Essay 2 “Our lives are meaningless and will remain so “said by Albert Camus (Scotty Hendrick 1). According to Albert Camus it is impossible for anyone to find the meaning of life he also includes that no one can find the purpose of living (2). Although Albert did not believe there was a meaning to life, he did believe that you could find enjoyment during activities. Although Albert Camus views lives as meaningless it is believed that he would not agree with the kidnapping. “Camus recommends that you: get outside, enjoy the sunshine, go for a walk by the beach, play some football, have lunch at a café with a friend, refuse to give into despair, and embrace the meaninglessness of existence by choosing to carry on with what you enjoy doing despite the lack of meaning to your actions” (3). From the gathered research provided it is gathered that Albert would want individuals to enjoy said meaningless life. The main part that proves the claim is refuse to despair. Despair can be defined as a loss of hope. With how the world is now everyone us in despair of leaving their home without the thought of being kidnapped. There should not be a loss of hope to leave a home safely without being put in any kind of danger. Albert would prefer people do some sort of activity outside in the sun for example, playing football to make enjoyment out of this purposeless life. The Stranger one of Albert Camus books has a main message of “the irrationality of human actions and decisions. Albert presents the character of Meursault to show this irrationality in human actions, decisions, life, and relationships” (Literary Devices 1). Meursault would be the one, if it was to happen, to make the impulsive decision to kidnap a person. Another one of Albert Camus’s books is The Fall, which the main idea or message can be said as, “we are all responsible for everything, theme of inaction and its consequences” (Tim 1). Basically, the guilt is the theme, from not acting when you see something wrong, and the consequences or karma received. Imagine if you have seen a sign of kidnapping and did not care to speak up, extreme guilt would follow because of inaction.   Albert only had a mom growing up as his father dies at the age of one. His mother made enough to support their family, but overall, Albert had a good childhood. He did end up having two kids of his own, Catherine and Jean Camus, and was married to Francine Camus. His relationship with his wife was bad, he caused her to require psychiatric care. Despite that his relationships with his daughter were very upbringing, although he was still very strict about certain things. For example, “He was severe about how we sat at the table, and at breakfast you had to be silent”, said by Catherine Camus. Although he was strict to his two children, he would not agree with them being kidnapped. He still loved them as they did him. H e made his daughter feel like her presence was wanted if no one else would. Catherine said, “So when he died, I was scared. He was always the reassuring presence”. Papa was the only one who looked happy at my presence, the only one laughing at home with me”.  How would you want that type of love and connection between a father and a daughter to go away by agreement? Also imagining he would feel the same and have empathy for other parents as well.   To conclude, no Albert Camus would not agree with kidnapping. Yes, he does believe life has no meaning, but does not mean things like family and friends so not matter. In fact, that is what makes this useless life enjoyable. It would be against his own beliefs going from some of his books.  Albert Camus’ Daughter on the Impact of His Death. https://gulfnews.com/entertainment/arts-culture/albert-camus-daughter-on-the-impact-of-his-death-1.59508914. “Camus: The Fall (Analysis).” Philosophy & Philosophers, 20 Apr. 2012, https://www.the-philosophy.com/camus-fall-analysis. “Themes in The Stranger with Examples and Analysis.” Literary Devices, 23 Mar. 2020, https://literarydevices.net/the-stranger-themes/. “The Meaning of Life: Albert Camus on Faith, Suicide, and Absurdity.” Big Think, https://bigthink.com/personal-growth/the-meaning-of-life-albert-camus-on-faith-suicide-and-absurdity/.   

 Reflective Essay- 300 words First semester was easier, and I could understand, more than the second semester. I think overall I did better in first semester, but I am pretty sure second semester is built to be more challenging. I learned how to cite correctly, props to the cite generator. English requires a lot of time and patient minds to get the work done I learned. The more I got frustrated the more I would have a harder time writing good, or even just wanting to write, with that I appreciate your patience Professor Hammet. I learned about Absurd Fiction genre; I have never heard about until this year. It is an interesting topic and comes with interesting stories. It was cool to do the research on the authors and see how their lives differ from their books and how different they are from each other. How they presented in real life so differently then what their stories about because they were all dark and had a deep and meaningful story or theme behind it. Especially Daphne, she was presented as a lovely and nice woman, who I am sure she was, some even thought she was a romantic novelist. Her stories were so dark though besides how she presented. Some like Albert believed and taught what they wrote about in their stories. Composition has pushed me beyond my writing capabilities and my observation and memory skills. Like comparing kidnapping with Albert Camus was the hardest paper that I have had to write. Pushed me and made me struggle, but I got it done. It has also made me realize it is okay to ask questions whether it is a classmate or a teacher. You provided a safe and welcoming environment in the class room.