The drinking age should be raised to 21.

New Zealand's drinking age should not be raised from the age of eighteen to the age of twenty-one. In New Zealand, eighteen year-olds can join the army and vote in new Zealand's democratic election, meaning they are willing and able to make the right decisions for themselves. By increasing the drinking age by three years, the law is forcing more underage drinking upon the society, as the eighteen, nineteen and twenty year-olds who would no longer be able to buy alcohol would still consume it. Moreover, by heightening the drinking age, many bars, clubs and other social events and meeting places will lose a great quantity of customers and profits. However, i do recognise that binge drinking is a substantial part of the New Zealand teenage culture and by raising the drinking age, it may be helping towards reducing this. 

By raising the drinking age, the law could be seen as challenging previous age restricting rules that have been enforced, which enable eighteen year-olds and over  opportunity and responsibility. In New Zealand, citizens of the age eighteen and over are entitled to vote in the election and join the army. If the current law is giving eighteen year-olds the responsibility to have a say in their countries future, surely they should be permitted to make simple decisions such as whether or not they are ready to or want to consume alcohol. 

One of the main motives to raise the drinking age from the age of eighteen to the age of twenty-one, is to reduce teenagers consumption of alcohol in a bid to try and lessen the dangerous activities on the streets of New Zealand. However, teenagers from the age of thirteen to seventeen are already restricted from buying alcohol so by enforcing this new law, it will make no difference to the consumption of the teenagers alcohol. Also, by raising the drinking age, eighteen, nineteen and twenty year-olds will still want to drink alcohol, as the law will not prevent this, so this is further encouraging underage drinking.  

By increasing the drinking age by three years, social meeting places like bars and clubs who rely on alcoholic beverages for a vast majority of their profits, will lose an immense amount of business. This is because many of them aim at younger age groups (approximately eighteen - twenty-five year-olds), and if the drinking age is raised to twenty-one, almost half of that age group would not be able to attend these events so the businesses will lose almost half of their customers. 

However, i do recognise that New Zealand is notorious for a well-established binge drinking culture, particularly with teenagers. Binge drinking is drinking excessively in a short period of time. I do agree that binge drinking is unhealthy for anyone but specifically growing minds and bodies, and can result in dangerous circumstances, so doing all the law can to prevent these habits is reassuring and would be appreciated. 

New Zealand's drinking age should not be raised to the age of twenty-one. Eighteen year-olds currently have the right to vote and join the army in New Zealand so should be able to carry the responsibilities associated with alcohol. By increasing the drinking age, underage drinking rates will also be raised which seems to defeat part of the purpose and numerous businesses will lose many customers if the drinking age is raised because eighteen - twenty year-olds will no longer be able to attend these places. However, I do acknowledge that binge drinking is very popular in New Zealand and any efforts to try and prevent it will not go by unappreciated. 

Describe how the beginning and end of Mean Creek are connected (for example: ideas, images, sounds or any other features).

In Mean Creek, directed by Jacob Aaron Estes, the beginning and ending sequences are connected by various techniques and repetitive ideas. George's misunderstood actions are first expressed in the beginning of the film and later explained in the end. Lighting effects at the start and end differ to further emphasize emotions of the characters, and the music, which is played during the film, also changes to stress the tone and atmosphere of the film.

 In Mean Creek, the beginning and ending of the film are partially linked by George’s actions. At the beginning, George physically abuses Sam after Sam picks up George's camera. This may be seen as   an over-reaction and George is then viewed as misunderstood to the other characters because his actions are unjust and they cannot relate to him. Later, during the end of the film and after George's death, his camera, which he uses throughout the film, is found by the police, and they play a clip where George describes why he acts the way he does.  He explains that no one would be able to understand him unless they are 'inside his brain' and can hear and feel his thoughts. These two scenes are connected because they both emphasize main ideas portrayed in the movie, bullying and George's misunderstood actions.

 Throughout the film Mean Creek, directed by Jacob Aaron Estes, lighting effects are used to put emphasis on certain themes and highlight the tone. During the beginning of Mean Creek, the lighting is bright with an almost golden glow, further displaying the happiness the characters feel and the valued company they are in. However, in the end of Mean Creek, after Georges death, the lighting is very dim, dull and dark, to convey the characters feelings of dolefulness and remorse. The beginning and ending of the film are linked with lighting effects because the lighting portrays the emotions of the characters.

 Jacob Aaron Estes, the director of Mean Creek, incorporates music into the film, which connects the beginning and end sequences. In the start of the film, before George’s death, specifically when Rocky, Sam and the remainder of the group invite George on the fishing trip, the music is playful, youthful, carefree and light-hearted. This conveys the atmosphere and underlines the tone. Drawing near to the end of the film, after George’s death, when Sam, Rocky, Milly and Clyde are in Sam and Rocky’s bedroom, the music is sombre and tense. This portrays the ambience and mood of the film. Music links the beginning and ending of the film because it conveys the tone and atmosphere in both the beginning and end.

 Mean Creek, directed by Jacob Aaron Estes, uses numerous features to connect the beginning and ending sequences together. This includes George’s misconceived self, which is shown in the beginning and explained at the end. Lighting effects incorporated into the start and end of the film and are linked because in both sequences they are used to show the emotions of the characters, and finally, music, which is involved in the beginning and end to portray the ambience and tone of the film. 

Describe an important idea in the text. Explain how verbal and/or visual features of the text help you understand

A significant idea in the film Mean Creek directed by Jacob Aaron Estes is revenge. This idea is portrayed through various verbal and visual techniques, including dialogue, silence and lighting effects. Through the use of these techniques, viewers are able to understand the idea of revenge with more clarity. 

The idea of revenge plays a strong role in the film Mean Creek directed by Jason Aaron Estes. Revenge is the action of inflicting emotional or physical pain in turn for the emotional or physical pain they inflicted on you. Revenge is very common and relevant today, particularly within friendships, as it is seen as an effective solution. It is constant in everyday situations, but also big world issues, as it can result in terrorist attacks or war. In stating this, revenge is also seen as resulting in unnecessary harm as there may be a more successful solution. 

The theme revenge is conveyed through the feature of verbal dialogue in the film Mean Creek, directed by Jason Aaron Estes. In the film, Sam says "If we hurt him, we'd be just as bad as him", referring to the character George, after George physically abused Sam. This shows Sam's good nature and portrays the idea revenge by revealing that it may seem like the right solution, but by undertaking revenge, you are descending as low as the person or group who inflicted harm on you. This enables the viewers to gain a greater understanding of the idea 'revenge' because it uncovers the honest definition.

Another verbal technique that Jacob Aaron Estes uses in his film Mean Creek to convey the main theme of revenge is silence. Straight after George's death, silence falls upon the film to create a sense of remorse and melancholy that the characters felt. This is linked to and gives the viewers a clearer understanding of the theme revenge as it portrays the consequences revenge results in. After undertaking the act of revenge, especially if it has lead to a despairing event, the doers may feel guilt and regret. 

The idea of revenge is conveyed through visual lighting effects in the film Mean Creek. After George's death, the lighting in the film is constantly dim and dull. This may be expressing the theme revenge as the word revenge tends to have dark connotations, and the characters in Mean Creek may be feeling remorseful after George's death which is a dark, sad emotion. This enables the viewers to a greater understanding of 'revenge' as it clearly portrays the consequences that revenge may lead to. 

An important idea in Mean Creek is revenge. The director, Jacob Aaron Estes, portrays the theme revenge by utilizing numerous verbal and visual features. This includes dialogue, silence and lighting effects. By using these techniques the viewers are enabled to a greater understanding of the theme revenge. 

Social networking sites such as Facebook and Myspace are endangering New Zealand teenagers.

Social networking sites such as Facebook and Myspace are not endangering New Zealand teenagers. These social networking sites have many factors which ensure safety for users. The safety features which social networking sites uphold, including page privacy and selective friends, are very reliable and are becoming increasingly stronger. Because members use these sites in the privacy of their own home, they are safer than the outside world and they may be a more sheltered and effective way to meet people. Moreover, the Facebook community, along with other social networking site communities, have friendly philosophies and most users adhere to this, and if they don't, there are effective ways to prevent abuse. However, I do acknowledge that sexual predators may use these sites as they are open to everyone, so the are capable of copying photos and revealing private information if members do not persist with basic safety procedures. 

Social networking sites as Facebook and Myspace sustain numerous safety features which enable members to use the sites safely. The features that are present within most social networking sites include selective friends, which allows users to choose who they are 'friends' with online, and therefore who can enter their social networking page, view their personal information and observe their photos. This is a successful way of keeping the members safe as it means they are in control and have full responsibility of their personal information. Another common safety feature is advising the users on what personal information they should reveal about themselves, such as only displaying their first name on the internet,  and warning them about the dangers of the internet. This is effective as it means all users are informed and aware of the amount and content that they should be presenting to a global audience. These features are reliable and dependable and ensure security for the members and the site. 

As internet use usually occurs inside the comfort of ones home, meeting people in the virtual world may have less dangers attached to it than meeting new people in the physical world, such as at a party. This is because, on the internet, users of social networking sites have the security of their home around them, so they are away from any physical danger. In the outside world however, when meeting new people, people are more immersed, vulnerable and susceptible to physical danger, as they are in the midst of it. 

Social networking sites, such as Facebook and Myspace, have communities which maintain friendly philosophies, and most members abide by this. As the sites have been set up for friendly communication, the users assume the friendly nature and proceed to utilize it while using the social networking sites. The pleasant nature is cemented into the social networking communities and if people interfere these philosophies, such as emotionally abusing another member over the internet, there are ways for the victims to prevent it, such as reporting abuse to the site or blocking the abusive member from their social networking 'page'. 

However, i do recognise that social networking sites are open to everyone, meaning that they can also be available to sexual predators and offenders. I acknowledge that this could be a danger to users because they are exposed to their offence. If members post photos or personal information on their social networking 'page', and they do not persist with basic safety policies, their information could be taken and copied onto the predators own computer, and used for their personal use. This is a hazard for users, although they are responsible for their own details and photos. 

Social networking sites are not a danger to teenagers. Sites such as Facebook and Myspace uphold numerous safety features which enable users security. The internet is generally used in the comfort of ones home, which is out of physical danger, and therefore social networking sites may be a safer and more secure alternative to meet new people. Furthermore, The communities of social networking sites hold friendly philosophies and most users comply with this. However, i do acknowledge that social networking sites are accessible to anyone, and sexual predators may use these sites and take personal information from other users.