HAHA! Stop it, You’re Killing me! Professor Ramos Blog

HAHA! Stop it, You’re Killing me! HAHA! Stop it, You’re Killing me! â€Å"Smile because it confuses people. Smile because its easier than explaining what’s killing you inside† Joker (The Dark Knight). No matter how sharp the knife, I believe a serial killer’s most potent weapon is his or her smile. We don’t truly understand what someone is going through, what pain or problems they’re facing, but what we can understand is a smile. We often beg question what causes serial killers to kill? The answer is not so simple. Simply because the answer is a combination of causes, ranging from personal, life changing events to small, little, minor events. Sometimes these events trigger something else thereby strengthening the violent behavior. Take the notorious killer clown John Wayne Gacy. Before the news of his atrocities, Gacy was a hardworking, well like man in his community. He, just like any other normal person blended into society and hid his terrors with behind a smile. However, behind behind that smile, Gacy is respon sible for the torture, rape, and murder of 33 young men and boys. Its safe to say Gacy was joker or pennywise personified. His tactic of dressing up as a clown, luring young boys to his house, and killing them, makes other killers such as Ed Gein and Jeffrey Dahmer and their victims look like a walk in the park. Before diving into the nitty gritty of all the causes that drove Gacy to become a mad man, it is important to shine light on his origin story, because even the Joker has one.  John Wayne Gacy was born on March 17, 1942 in Chicago (John Wayne Gacy). Like most known killers, Gacy had a troubled childhood and abusive relationship with his alcoholic father. His father, a World War I veteran, was known to beat the children with a razor strop if they misbehaved or perceived them as failing (John Wayne Gacy). Gacy also had a few other things a miss, such as his struggle with his sexuality, his alienation at school, and a physical heart problem that would go untreated. So a few things amiss here and there to say the least. Later, Gacy would then drop out of highschool to move to Las Vegas to work at a mortuary. Eventually he would move back to Illinois to graduate business college and marry Marilyn Myers (Taylor) . In 1968, Gacy was accused of sexual assaulting two teenage boys, which resu lted in a 10 year prison sentence. Two years later he was released on parole (John Wayne Gacy). Finally, when he was released was when the true killer emerged. To reconsider the question why do serial killers kill?, Consider the red flags. The first red flag was a rough childhood. According to the FBI, â€Å"Neglect and abuse in childhood have been shown to contribute to an increased risk of future violence† (Serial Murder). Neglect and abuse, how typical of modern day mass shooters. Whether or not you become prone to violence in the future, I think we can all agree that having a weak relationship with your parents will set you back will take a toll on how you grow up. The world of Criminal Justice even states that â€Å"Serial murderers often come from broken homes and were child victims of parental physical or sexual abuse† (Serial Killers). Add to that a perhaps couple accounts of being bullied because you are overweight and therefore cannot play with the other kids and there are the key ingredients to making a killer. Gacy struggled with a number of his physical health problems which further alienated him the other kids at school. Often, he was not able to play with the other kiss for fear of blacking out due to an heart ailment which caused him to blackout (Taylor). Because Gacy was never particularly liked in school, he would eventually dropout to become a mortuary assistant and would soon after act on his homosexuality. On top of having a messy childhood, Gacy also often struggled with his sexuality. He had a strange and strong attraction towards young men and boys. During his time as an mortuary assistant in Vegas, Gacy was known sneak inside coffins to sleep with the dead bodies of young men. This would be the first of many homosexual offenses. His first real offense occurred in 1967, when he was convicted of sexually assaulting two teenage boys which landed him a 10 year prison sentence.After what seemed to be the end of Gacy, manages to escape, metaphorically speaking. Jeffrey Jerome Cohen, author of the monster theory, states that â€Å"The monster always escapes† (Cohen 4). So while in prison, Gacy upheld rules and even made friends with the other inmates. He was found to be the â€Å"ideal prisoner†. His excellent behavior resulted in his release on parole only after 18 months of time (John Wayne Gacy). After his initial release, Gacy remarried and he went on to perform more sex ual acts with little boys. His second offense, happened when he pick up a boy at a bus stop where he forcefully performed sexual acts with, however he managed to get away with it simply because the accuser did not show up (Taylor). From then on, Gacy’s attraction for little boys could not be restrained. Gacy would go on to rack up more sexual accusations. Soon after, wherever his sexual assaults would go the thirst for blood followed. Gacy was known to be an outstanding citizen by his neighbors and had the ideal picture perfect American life. He was a hardworking man with a family. He was well liked in the community. However not everything was what it seemed. In 1972, Gacy lured teenage Timothy MCcoy  to his house and murdered him (John Wayne Gacy). As a friendly neighborhood role model, Gacy frequently volunteered his time by dressing up as a clown known as either â€Å"Pogo† or â€Å"Patches†. He began to use his reputation to his advantage. After his first kill, Gacy was doomed to repeat a cycle, According to clinical psychologist Philippe Cotter Ph.D states that a â€Å"Macbeth effect, which incites the murderer to commit further acts of violence in a bid to reclaim normality. Trapped in the logic of extreme violence, he has reached a point of no return.† (Cotter). In other words, after the first kill, the v ictims contributing become factor. Gacy was motivated to rinse and repeat a process where he would, dress as a clown, lure boys to his home, and do unspeakable things. He would then bury the bodies underneath the floorboards. On top of all of this Gacy also was suffering from a number personal problems which contributed in creating the â€Å"killer clown† These factors included disinterest in his marriage, non-existent sex life, heavy loss of sleep, and a divorce. So to answer the question what causes serial killers to kill, look to the past. Look to their their upbringing, how they came to be the physical and mental causes that lead them to the breaking point. Although Gacy had a lot of success as an adult, he showed a lot of red flags growing up. Even though he toughed it out and smiled through the pain, the light at the end of the tunnel of adulthood, these causes lead to his downfall. Monsters are created not born and the sad truth is that we don’t know who it is next is going to be or if he already exists. The â€Å"killer clown† this monster so to speak, also goes to show that deep down we don’t know what’s going on in someones head. Annotated Bibliography Bonn, Scott. â€Å"John Wayne Gacy: The Diabolical ‘Killer Clown.’† Psychology Today, Sussex Publishers, 19 May 2014, www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/wicked-deeds/201405/john-wayne-gacy-the-diabolical-killer-clown. This sources gives some detail about John Wayne Gacy’s background. It also provides a professional opinion about Gacy and gives information as to why he committed such horrible acts. I plan to use this source for mainly his background history. This source was found on Physchology.com and was written by Scott Bonn Ph.D. Cohen, Jeffrey Jerome. Monster culture (seven theses). Gothic horror: A guide for students and readers (2007): 198-217. This sources overviews the 7 monster theories of who, what where, and how monsters come about. It gives stories and examples about how monsters are part of society. I am going to use this mainly for the second thesis. This source was provided by the instructor. Cotter, Philippe. â€Å"60 SECONDS Why Serial Killers Enjoy Killing†. LinkedIn, LinkedIn, 1 Nov. 2014 https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/20141101185650-47456855-60-seconds-why-serial-killers-enjoy-killing This source briefly overviews John Wayne Gacy’s history and childhood. It goes on to give detail on his motives and causes of why he killed. I plan to use this in for its reasons as to why Gacy killed. This source was retrieved on LinkedIn and published on November 1, 2014 by Philippe Cotter Ph.D. â€Å"John Wayne Gacy.† Biography.com, AE Networks Television, 15 Dec. 2017, www.biography.com/people/john-wayne-gacy-10367544. This sources give a biography and detailed information about the background and history of John Wayne Gacy. This details the potential causes as to why Gacy committed these murders. I plan to use this source primarily for the information about history. This source was found on Biography.com and was written by their editors. Nolan, Christopher, Jonathan Nolan, David S. Goyer, Emma Thomas, Charles Roven, Benjamin Melniker, Michael Uslan, La N. K. De, Thomas Tull, Wally Pfister, Christian Bale, Michael Caine, Heath Ledger, Gary Oldman, Aaron Eckhart, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Morgan Freeman, Monique G. Curnen, Ron Dean, Nestor Carbonell, Chin Han, Eric Roberts, Ritchie Coster, Anthony M. Hall, Keith Szarabajka, Cillian Murphy, James N. Howard, Hans Zimmer, and Bob Kane. The Dark Knight. , 2008 This is the citation for the film  The Dark Knight† and is used mainly for the opening quote. Serial Killers. World of Criminal Justice, Gale, edited by Shirelle Phelps, Gale, 1st edition, 2002. Credo Reference, https://search.credoreference.com/content/entry/worldcrims/serial_killers/0?institutionId=5312. Accessed 06 Aug. 2018. This source details the crimes and history surrounding John Wayne Gacy. This highlights the murders and rapes he has committed and gives reason why. I plan to use this for its information about Gacy’s motives and mental thought process. This source was found on Credo search. Taylor, Troy. â€Å"JOHN WAYNE GACY THE CLOWN THAT KILLED.† LIZZIE BORDEN: HISTORY HAUNTINGS OF THIS FAMOUS CASE, 2013, www.prairieghosts.com/gacy.html. This sources gives extensive amounts of detail about John Wayne Gacys childhood. The source provides information surrounding his family, wives, jobs, and other personal details. I plan to use this for its information about Gacys childhood. This sources was retrieved from prairie ghosts.com â€Å"Serial Murder.† FBI, U.S. Department of Justice, 21 May 2010, www.fbi.gov/stats-services/publications/serial-murder. This article overviews reasons and probably causes as to why serial killers kill. It also includes numerous sources and examples of killers and their motives. I plan to use this sources for its rich information about serial killers causes and motives. This article was published by the U.S. department of justice in 2010.

History of Capitalism in Japan Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

History of Capitalism in Japan - Essay Example An economic arrangement is the amalgamation of the many agencies, which make the economic hierarchy that defines the social world. Trade brings the agencies together. Since no single state has made it to where Japan is, Japan is controlled by capitalists elsewhere seen a country to be emulated. Three decades down the line, its war-shattered economy was a little bit higher compared to a third of Britain's (Ihara, 279). Presently the Japanese Gross National Product is much higher than that of Britain and France when added together, and the gap is expected to become wider in the coming years. The Japanese variation of capitalism cannot be easily or precisely emulated, since it has got its roots in a homogeneous, hierarchical society. A lot of history that translates to the present day Japan dominates capitalism in Japan. Civil war that started majorly because of a single leader owned nearly 25% of the land while the other part belonged to his relative. The King at the present was no mor e than a figurehead. Large populations of civilians were not opulent and did not pursue any form of work. Tokugawa Ieyasu Gains Power The era of the Edo started despite the authorized organization of the Tokugawa Shogunate in 1603 and concludes with the Meiji refurbishment. Tokugawa Ieyasu's success over daimyo at the struggle of Sekigahara in 1600 gave power over the largest part of Japan. He accumulated his power in Edo, which is now day Tokyo, shielding himself with honored vassals and introducing military campaigns to destroy those who were against him. Tokugawa allies in Osaka demolished the final important to the newly created Tokugawa Shogunate, which is Toyotomi clan, in 1615. The Tokugawa Shogunate created a firm friendship with the Emperor as well as the Imperial Court by assisting to reconstruct its castles and providing more land. Sealed Region Policies Tokugawa Ieyasu become uncomfortable with the foreigners and implemented firm measures to reduce their number and influ ence in Japan. Christianity was forced to abandon their faith and other groups were sending away from Japan. The Shimabara Rebellion in 1637-1638 was composed of mainly ordinary Christians who were irritated with greater than before taxes and harassment of Christians (Harootunian, 367). The Tokugawa Shogunate, through aid from the Dutch who availed gunpowder and cannons, destroyed the rebellion and beheaded about 37,000 opponents. The rebel leader, young Amakura Shiro, was beheaded and his head taken away to Nagasaki to be put on show. The state spearheaded bullying of Christians that went on up to the 1850 is making some to carry out their belief as a kakura kirishitan. The tightened alien policy measures did not end with hounding of believers. In 1635, the Closed Country Edict banned Japanese from exiting Japan and if somebody left, they would not be allowed to come back. Community position was hereditary and the feudalistic social chain of command from previous periods went on to the Edo period. Land was under the ownership of Imperial family, the Shogun, or local daimyo. Beneath this structure, the Shogun was to in a position to manage local daimyo from rising to power. Keeping kin class was of significant, both in public and lawfully. If a person was found culpable of a crime and released, their close relatives could turn out to

Assignment 3 Three Goals Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Assignment 3 Three Goals - Essay Example I created a whole glossary of these words on my computer to be able to refer to it any time I needed it. I found this practice very useful in doing the assignments as well as for understanding the concept surrounding social research. As I increased my vocabulary, I was better able to understand the social research papers. The more I comprehended them, the more I learnt how the social research works. To understand the second goal, I followed the instructions and guidelines that were provided to write the research papers. I used to print out the information, highlight important concepts and the key arguments. I followed the Bass Academic Reference Guide. To make it convenient, I placed the Guide next to my computer so that I would be able to refer to it any time I needed while making the reference list. Having written the research paper in due accordance with the established guidelines, I re-read the paper from start till end several times in an attempt to pick put the grammar and the erroneous sentence construction mistakes. The re-reading exercise also helped me concoct the paper is a more organized fashion wherein ideas would flow smoothly and the successive paragraphs would be linked with the preceding ones. I could not adequately work to achieve the third goal as I was not well. However, I actively participated in the discussion forums. The discussion forums provided me with the opportunity to learn from other students. I listened to their perspectives on different matters. I learnt the variety of ways in which the same meaning can be conveyed. One thing that I was surprised by the most was the fact that I had been able to make an active participant of the discussion forums while I was often feeling very drowsy due to the effect of the medicines. Although I was not enjoying good health, yet I cultivated a determination in me to finish this unit. I did not want my physical weakness to overpower my emotional strength, and I succeeded in achieving that. One

Does The Freedom Of Press Affect Our Daily Life?

Does The Freedom Of Press Affect Our Daily Life? The first amendment gives us the right to express our feelings without any restrictions. Freedom of the press is usually defined as the right to communicate ideas, opinions, and information without government restraint (Dennis and Merill 5) The newspaper was one our main source of communication. Newspapers were mainly just for News. Now you could access to any type of information in the different sections that a newspaper have. Newspapers have sections that talk about Finance, Sports and even real estate. The internet has taken a lot of the audience that were served by the newspaper. The internet is more accessible than the newspaper. It is easier to search and access information. Many of us dont even have the time to stop and get the newspaper. The internet makes it easier to access the information of our interest and not those sections in the newspaper that we tend to skip. Cellphones and Portable devices lets us access the media on the Go. Many television channels and newspapers give access to certain shows or news that could be transferred to our portable players. The media is now more customized. There are several types of news that focus in different interests and targeted to different markets. There are Financial newspapers, Sports, Entertainment, Local news, International news and even in other languages. The news is less conservative now. We could have access to different news that could be access for free that wont be available in certain newspapers. It is easier for us to access the information online. It is easier to target this audience via internet. Most of us spend more time in front of a computer students use more internet sources for school projects. The online version is already replacing the Original print version of the newspaper because it is more accessible. In this fast paced world we do not like to wait. We like everything at out fingertips. Online we even have access to archives news; some sites require subscriptions to access the full content of the articles. The internet is slowly replacing newspaper, television and radio. We could have access our favorite channels and watch videos that were originally broadcasted on T.V. Just like we could have access to certain articles that were originally printed in the newspaper. And last but not least download songs that we usually just listen to on the radio. There will always be that small group that does not have access to the internet that will still get their newspaper in the morning and also watch T.V at 6pm. This is a slow transition that that is affecting our everyday life. The popularity of the internet as a resource of news raises questions about the future of traditional news media. Is the internet likely to become an addition to newspapers and television news, or a replacement used for these media? Along with the people who have access to television, the internet and newspapers some prefer to use the Web as a resource of news, while others prefer conventional news media. We access the news that we are interested in a video online. MTV, ESPN and other sites give us the option to subscribe to their newsletter and customize the information that we would like to receive. It also gives us the option to receive automatic updates of news. The ability of us being able to customize the information that we receive is great. We are able to just read the information that we are interested in. Rather than what happened to Angelina Jolie in Africa. Yes it is information that is good to know but not as important as knowing about local news or news that is that is affecting us directly. It is easier to filter the information that we want to read rather that standing in front of the T.V watching celebrity News. The internet and independent newspapers has helped journalist to be more original about what they write. There are certain articles that you will find in the web that will not be printed in the NY Times. The interment gives everyone the real meaning of the first amendment. We could basically write and post anything we want. The internet is not about ratings is about getting the information out to the public. Ratings is what T.V stations are looking for and thats why the advertise celebrity news because that is what people would like to see. But many of us want to know what is really going on in the real world and what is going on in our local areas and the war in Iraq. Journalism has changed ever since we made the transition from the radio to the television. We could access any kind of information if our portable devices and even our cell phones. I do not believe that the newspaper will disappear but I do believe that there will be more information available in the web that in the printed version. Some news channels give us the information of where to go if we want to find out more about a certain news or article.

Compare the article in the Independent Essay

Compare the article in the Independent with the article in the Daily Mail, addressing the following aspects; layout, content and language. From this comparison, what conclusion can you draw with regard to the targeted readership and intended selling point of each newspaper? In this essay I will be comparing two very different articles from The Independent- a broadsheet and The Daily Mail- a tabloid. The story I will be studying is about a 14 year old boy called Luke Walmsley. Whilst he was waiting in the corridor to enter a classroom he was stabbed in the chest by a fellow pupil. The incident took place at the school he attended; Birkbeck School in Lincolnshire. The whole incident is said to be over who was better at sport and a girl that both boys were fond of, Luke had been seen getting close to this girl and the boy must of grown jealous. The boy who stabbed Luke had come from a troubled background himself and he was said to be quite insecure. I will discuss the following aspects the layout, content and the language that is included within the two articles, from this I will draw a comparison with regard to the targeted audience and intended selling point of each newspaper. The Daily Mail and The Independent are two different types of newspaper. The Daily Mail is what is known as a tabloid newspaper and focuses directly on the most popular events, human interests and trivial matters . A tabloid newspaper differs from the broadsheet paper this is included in its size, the range and depth of its coverage and the ratio of images to text. A Tabloid is around half the size of a standard broadsheet paper. Reports are more simplified or more direct and compact versions of a report. They also include a lot more images relating to the article. A tabloid is often found to be extremely biased and tries to influence the public’s opinions on the reporters own certain views. ‘The Independent’ is a broadsheet style newspaper. It generally focuses on the true given facts and includes great detail and goes into great depth in its articles. The question is why do people want to buy these newspapers? The Daily Mail attracts its readers by using a high rate of colour and images on its front page which is bound to catch the eye of passers by and interests them to buy the paper. In comparison to information in other newspapers it is often found to be exaggerated and is therefore in my opinion aimed at the less educated person. It is simple, easy and quite enjoyable to read with a range of bright pictures to accompany the article. The Independent doesn’t tend to use a lot of colour neither does it use many pictures. The reason I believe in which The Independent attracts the nation into buying the newspaper is by publishing truthful, detailed accounts. They only focus on what they know for certain are true facts and relevant figures. Tabloids are made up of celebrity news and gossip which is exaggerated to make the story more appealing. This type of article is aimed at the lower and of the market. Broadsheets, however, have a far more mature approach to what they publish and include news that is of a interest to the whole nation young or old, although in general it is often written to target the higher better informed end of the market. Broadsheets incorporate details about the shares and stock market, business news and in general financial information I think this would appeal to a high status businessman, a professional management team or a politician. However by saying this I am being quite stereotypical because many people are interested in the stock market so they may just buy this type of paper for the finance section and not care what else is published within the paper whether it may affect them or not. Concentrating on the article, firstly I will discuss layout. The layout of the Daily Mail is bold and in your face which is very eye catching. The pictures are vibrant in colour and stand out another eye catching feature. When using a picture, it has to be chosen carefully. They must have an effect on the person looking at it whether or not it’s on a personal level or an image you recognise. Having this image alongside the bright, bold headline that cannot be avoided makes the paper stand out and really makes you notice the paper. The way in which the headlines font and size is changed and how the headline is worded is well constructed to make the story stand out and appear more exciting and readable to the papers targeted audience. Due to the fact that the daily mail is a tabloid it is therefore aimed at the lower end of the JICNAR scale in the c1 – e category making it easier to read. The jobs these people may have would be lorry driver, factory workers, building site labour and unemployment. The front page is the main selling point to actually encourage people to buy and read the paper. Many housewives would also read ‘The Daily Mail’ for its gossip and celebrity news.

Black People and James Baldwin Essay

In Toni Morrison’s â€Å"Recitatif,† the story is about two girls, Twyla and Roberta. They grow up in an orphanage because their mothers could not care for them. Morrison makes it clear the girls come from different ethnic backgrounds but never states which one is black or white. At one point in the story Twyla comments, â€Å"We looked like salt and pepper. † I grew frustrated with the story and had to read it several times. I could never determine who was black and white and the lesson I learned should have been it doesn’t really matter. The story begins with Twyla’s mother dropping her off at the orphanage. She meets Roberta and they become best friends. The bond they share occurs because they were not considered real orphans. They were abandoned kids unlike the other children whose parents had died. One of the last times the girls see each other was the day of a visitation. On that night, Twyla’s mother was wearing â€Å"those tight green slacks that made her butt stick out. † Many people have labeled blacks as having larger butts. She could have been black, she could have been a heavy white woman with a large butt, or a Hispanic woman like me. But I automatically stereotyped and went with Twyla has to be black. During the visitation Roberta’s mother â€Å"had brought chicken legs. † Twyla notices Roberta does not eat the chicken legs. I always thought black people liked chicken more than white people which means Roberta was white since she did not eat the chicken. Or maybe she just wasn’t hungry. Shortly after that visitation Roberta’s mother came to take her home, leaving the girls devastated. They see each other several times throughout the years. At their first meeting, Roberta was rude and distant because she was high. Roberta tells Twyla she is on the way to see Jimi Hendrix. Hendrix was an infamous black guitarist. I thought at this point Roberta has to be black. However Hendrix’s band was interracial with a diverse audience. Roberta could have been white due to the diverse audience. I am a huge Hendrix fan and I am not black so why would I think Roberta is. Twelve years later they meet again at a grocery store. Roberta married a rich man and was extremely friendly to Twyla. Twyla cannot hold back her emotions and asks Roberta about the last time they saw each other. Roberta shrugs it off, â€Å"Oh, Twyla, you know how it was in those days: black—white. You know how everything was. † I can relate to this. In 1980, the Cuban Mariel Boat Lifts came over bring thousands of Cubans. I am Cuban but I was born here. Kids I had known since kindergarten treated me as if I just come over on the boats. It had a lasting effect on me and matured me beyond my years. The third time they meet is at the school where their children attend. Roberta and other mothers were picketing because they did not want their kids to be segregated. This led to a fight severing any last chance of a friendship for them as it would not be resolved until Twyla and Roberta meet for a final time. As the story ends I do not get a sense of closure. The question of which girl is white or black remains unanswered. It opened my eyes and made me question how prejudice I really am. I try to not stereotype as a result of what I went through as a child but I found myself doing just that. I can understand why Morrison wrote the way she. I am not sure what her goal was overall but to me it seemed as if she were teaching me about prejudices. â€Å"Recitatif† challenged me to not judge either girl by their race but accept them for who they are. In the end, what difference did it really make about the girls’ races? The story is about how their friendship develops and then deteriorates. Nothing more; nothing less.

25 Quotes About Laughing and Laughter

Writer Madeleine L’Engle once quipped: A good laugh heals a lot of hurts. Indeed, CPF, the official journal of the College of Family Physicians of Canada, stated that laughter and humor have great medical benefits. And prescribing laughter is free, the medical organization notes. It makes sense, then, to find ways to include laughter in your daily life.  People who laugh more live longer and happier than worrywarts. These quotes from famous people, great thinkers, and even a few comedians will show you that laughter is no laughing matter. Lighten your life with a chuckle every day. Audrey Hepburn I love people who make me laugh. I honestly think its the thing I like most, to laugh. It cures a multitude of ills. Its probably the most important thing in a person. Henry Ward Beecher Beware of him who hates the laugh of a child. Will Rogers An onion can make people cry but theres never been a vegetable that can make people laugh. Woody Allen If you want to make God laugh, tell him about your plans. Mary H. Waldrip A laugh is a smile that bursts. Arthur Marshall Laugh it off, laugh it off; its all part of lifes rich pageant. Thomas Szasz When a person can no longer laugh at himself, it is time for others to laugh at him. Jonathan Davis You laugh at me because Im different, I laugh at you because youre all the same. Abraham Lincoln With the fearful strain that is on me night and day, if I did not laugh I should die. Charlie Chaplin To truly laugh, you must be able to take your pain, and play with it! Kurt Vonnegut Laughter and tears are both responses to frustration and exhaustion. I myself prefer to laugh since there is less cleaning up to do afterward. Maya Angelou Perhaps travel cannot prevent bigotry, but by demonstrating that all peoples cry, laugh, eat, worry, and die, it can introduce the idea that if we try and understand each other, we may even become friends. Max Eastman Dogs laugh, but they laugh with their tails. Max Frisch When you say a friend has a sense of humor do you mean that he makes you laugh, or that he can make you laugh? Jane Austen For what do we live, but to make sport for our neighbors and laugh at them in our turn? David Herbert Lawrence One could laugh at the world better if it didnt mix tender kindliness with its brutality. Richard Pryor Theres a thin line between to laugh with and to laugh at. Anthony Burgess Laugh and the world  laughs with you, snore and you sleep alone. Eminem Anybody with a sense of humor is going to put on my album and laugh from beginning to end. Bryant H. McGill Why do we laugh at such terrible things? Because comedy is often the sarcastic realization of inescapable tragedy. Jay Leno You cannot be mad at somebody who makes you laugh - its as simple as that. Mahatma Gandhi First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win. Voltaire God is a comedian, playing to an audience too afraid to laugh. Jerry Seinfeld The Four Levels of Comedy: Make your friends laugh, make strangers laugh, get paid to make strangers laugh, and make people talk like you because its so much fun.