The Hump back whale is a ginormous sea animal. They can weigh up to forty tons and can be up to 60 feet in length. According to NOAA Fisheries they can live 80-90 years. On top of being a truly beautiful creature, they give great support to the oceans ecosystem and even play a role in combating climate change. We are beyond lucky to live in Eugene. Just a short distance travel from the coast; where we can go see these gentle sea beasts. Interestingly enough, by being stunning animals and people wanting to gaze upon them, they create a great economic monopoly for Oregon and drive in countless tourists. 

The controversy going on at the moment with the whales is happening at the coastal region of Oregon. According to Statesman Journal, reports of hump back whale entanglements have been on the uprising over the last ten years in this area. Most of the reports relating to Dungeness Crab fishing paraphernalia. There has been numerous back and fourth efforts between The ODFW and the crabbing community, fisherman that make a living off of their catch. As of recent months and years, there are many new crabbing laws that put restrictions on trap’s length, depth, and when crabbing can happen as a whole, based on whale migration patterns. 

I personally am not one to immediately jump onto one side or to an immediate conclusion on a controversial matter. Although I do have a deep love for animals, especially those of the ocean. I can understand the anger of the crabbers at risk of their business. I believe that ultimately we can not completely stop them from crabbing, but we can continue to create policy and implementations, giving that these specific changes are factually benefiting the rates at which whales are dying at. The key is to find a median that both satisfies the health of whales as well as the crabbing business. I am sure it will take continues trial and error to find this balance, but I hope that we are able to find it sooner than later. 

I think you should agree with me because it is the only logical resolution that supports both animals. Yes, humans are are still animals too. I want so badly to put all my eggs in the whale’s basket, but that is simply not fair or economically possible. With implementing policy to save more whales while still letting crabbers make ends meet we prove that we can work toward finding a balance that supports both human and animal alike. We must find a way where we can continue to crab without killing whales in the process. 

In conclusion I think that we are still a ways away from finding that perfectly balanced solution to the disheartening whale deaths of recent years. There are many employes of The ODFW working tirelessly to find it and put it in motion, but it is not good enough yet. Although policy makers technically could only think about the whale safety and make tremendous change to the crabbing business, due to whales federally protected safety and endangerment rights. They have instead chosen to be empathetic to the crabbers as well. “I feel really good about it. It’s the most satisfying job I've ever had in my life.” This was spoken by an Oregon coast crabber when asked about his trade. Humans and whales are both incredible creatures that have a lot to offer. Neither deserve their life or lively hood to be taken from them.

In my opinion being a U.S. citizen is a great privilege. The U.S. is a highly respected nation with a booming economy and many people who live here are able to find lots of work and opportunities. Giving this information about citizenship in the U.S. there are obviously many people from other countries that would want to come live here. Although, to do this you must be one of a few things. For example, to be a citizen you have to be born on U.S. soil or have one or two parents who were. If you don’t have this you may also marry a citizen for citizenship, serve in the U.S. military, be adopted by a citizen, or go through the process of naturalization where you must get a visa, a green card, spend five years in the U.S., pass a test and give your oath. Giving all the information about citizenship in the U.S to me citizen ship means freedom and responsibility.

Firstly, the reason that I think you are free when you have citizenship is because of all of the work that has been done in this county to give various types of freedoms to its citizens. In this county you have freedom of race, religion, sexual orientation. The freedom to vote. As well as simple freedoms like wearing the clothes you want and listening to the music you like. Freedoms that are often taken for granted and freedoms that some people in the world still do not have. I also think that even though as citizens we are free, we do have many responsibilities as well such as paying taxes, abiding by laws, and attending jury during when called upon. But even with these responsibilities I believe the good ways out the bad by a large amount. 

Looking back on this week and what I have learned about citizenship, I don’t really think my opinion has changed. I have known my entire life what it means to be a citizen because my grandparents at one point were not, immigrating from Germany, Poland, and Cuba during there darkest times. Every day I wake up feeling lucky that I am a citizen.