Oddest+of+All

In Bruce Coville's short story, "Oddest of All," aliens offer to solve all of the earth's many problems. They claim to be benevolent. They are powerful enough to take charge (witness the light experiment!) at any rate. How would YOU vote? Yes? No? Offer your reasons, too, please!

//**I would vote yes. When we, the people of earth, were young, we had help from our parents, friends, and teachers. Each of those people taught us a lesson, and helped us live our lives to the fullest. Why should we not have help once more, and help our world live to the fullest? ~ Ally K.

I would vote yes, because it seems that the Lyrans are Earth’s only hope. The people have destroyed it so much, that they can no longer fix it. The Lyrans would take care of everything for us, we would only have to watch and wait. The sick would be healed, the poor would be rich, the hungry would be fed. This is our only option at this point. So many have died, and we have been given this wonderful opportunity by these genuinely altruistic people to fix everything. Though we give up our freedom, it is only for a limited amount of time. It would be like moving away form your house while someone redid it, and then moving right back in when everything’s done. They are giving us so much, and we are asked nothing. **////**Why should be not harness this wonderful opportunity? -Sarah B.  **////I would vote NO. But I would hope that the example of the Lyrans would shine a light on our future. If they can bring their world back from the brink of disaster, why can’t we? Their home was once the mess our world has become – with wars, disease, poverty and injustice. I would say no to the Lyrans, but maybe ask them to come back in five years as consultants, if that nuance of answer were permitted! I would say no to the Lyrans, and pledge to do all I could to be up to the giant task at hand. (Athough, maybe the Lyrans were genuinely[|altruistic]and I'd be making a big mistake?) (Agell)//

I confess: I (CA)used this story with ALL groups around Election Day! Think about this: A fifth grader offers this comment: Maybe the Lyrans WANT us to vote NO. Sixth graders wondered if accepting the Lyran's offer would make us lose what defines us as human. They claimed we should learn from our mistakes....

-Graeme **
 * I would vote yes, because of all the people in our world that are suffering. Even though many people are content, there’s probably just as many people that are in need of food, water, or medical attention. So, it would be good for someone else who knows what they’re doing to help us solve our problems and teach us, and then eventually let us rule ourselves. I think that we need a little guidance from someone else, because after all these years we still haven’t been able to solve our problems.

I would vote yes because our world needs change. Obviously, we are having a hard time finding and enforcing that change, but the Lyran's know how. I don't think that we would be able to provide this change by ourselves, so why should we keep people suffering just because we are afraid of what the Lyrans want. ~Becca

I would vote yes. Just because we need to not only think about ourself but others too. This isn’t about what is best for us but best for the world. Hearing their proposal they are absolutely right we are not ready to control ourseleves and maybe it its best for somebody else to help us out.

--JH--

** I would vote no because I think the Lycrans only wanted to warn us about what could happen. Bringing it up will make people think, and we will make the changes ourselves. Carrie

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**I would have to vote yes. Why would they take over if they came to the planet with their own free will and wanted to help us? I think our planet is too paranoid, and we need to see that acts of kindness aren't disguised plans to kill us or to prove a point. They were sincere, and they showed by example how much power they had. With all that power, they could destroy the planet, but instead decide to help it become beautiful and strong. ** =====

~Nina
YES! Why would they take over if they came to the planet with their own free will and wanted to help us? I think our planet is too paranoid, and we need to see that acts of kindness aren't disguised plans to kill us or to prove a point. They were sincere, and they showed by example how much power they had. With all that power, they could destroy the planet, but instead decide to help it become beautiful and strong. **
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