Friday, February 22, 2008
Rhetorical Analysis of The Border Patrol State
The main purpose of Leslie Silko's article "The Border State Patrol" is to raise awareness and comment on the state of things within the borders of the United States. The main claim that is presented in the article is that the power and control of the Border Patrol has become corrupt and needs to be curtailed. As far as trustworthiness Silko is already an established and successful author which certainly brings some credentials to the text, however the admission of possession of medical marijuana is not something that continues that. On the flip side, the fact that she was willing to admit such possession shows that the author is being honest and is more likely to write exactly as she sees it, rather than necessarily through the 'rose glass'. Silko appeals logically to the reader through demostration of the futility of the Border Patrol. She sites (and emphasizes) the negative effects and treatment of innocent citizens shows how it truly is ineffective. Silko effectively appeals to the reader's emotional nature through her imagery and Native American stories. There is very clear description of the freedom of the road and just how that has changed in the past years. All in all, the text certainly advances the main argument relating to the futility of the Border Patrol through clear narration of personal experiences of living near the border.
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
Taking Action
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/19/opinion/19tue1.html
The main argument of the article is basically that presidential candidates, and more importantly presidents need to be more proactive. Rather than simply ignoring difficult issues and addressing those that will please people, candidates need to address, and take action, for change, in particular change in the cities. The author argues that with the continuation ignoring such major issues in urban areas, the nation will have more major catastrophes that will need to be handled. He notes that there is one man, Mr. Bloomberg who is attempting to change the plight of the urban area, however there is a severe lack of interest from the current political candidates. All in all, the article is arguing that all the candidates across the board (though he acknowledges Obama and Clinton's mild policies) need to change perspectives and focuses.
The main argument of the article is basically that presidential candidates, and more importantly presidents need to be more proactive. Rather than simply ignoring difficult issues and addressing those that will please people, candidates need to address, and take action, for change, in particular change in the cities. The author argues that with the continuation ignoring such major issues in urban areas, the nation will have more major catastrophes that will need to be handled. He notes that there is one man, Mr. Bloomberg who is attempting to change the plight of the urban area, however there is a severe lack of interest from the current political candidates. All in all, the article is arguing that all the candidates across the board (though he acknowledges Obama and Clinton's mild policies) need to change perspectives and focuses.
Sunday, February 17, 2008
Evaluation Article
http://campaignstops.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/02/15/beyond-red-white-and-blue/index.html?ref=opinion
The argument of this argument was a evaluation of the effectiveness of campaign propaganda and art of various candidates throughout the years. The author states aspects of different pieces of work that make them either memorable or a good communication with a specific demographic. He states that they use of fresh and unique art is what makes work memorable, such as use of neon colors or unusual pictures that cause the viewer to look twice and or think about the piece, and hence, the candidate.
The argument of this argument was a evaluation of the effectiveness of campaign propaganda and art of various candidates throughout the years. The author states aspects of different pieces of work that make them either memorable or a good communication with a specific demographic. He states that they use of fresh and unique art is what makes work memorable, such as use of neon colors or unusual pictures that cause the viewer to look twice and or think about the piece, and hence, the candidate.
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
Virtual Friendship
"Does this technology [social networking sites like Facebook and MySpace], with its constant demands to collect (friends and status), and ways to undermine our ability to attain what it promises-a surer sense of who we are and where we belong?"
This is an interesting question because it certainly does challenge the conventional definition of a friend. I strongly disagree with Aristotle, who (very simply put) seems to think men are only friends with each other to be pleasant or get some utility from each other. I will agree that often people are friends with each other simply for the comfort each other, but I think true friendship challenges previously conceived notions and also strongly motivates to be a better person. It is certainly true that people influence others to do wrong or otherwise that is not beneficial for them, but I don't know how such a person could still fall under the category of a 'friend' regardless of the perception. I also believe that people can be friends with others that are 'unequal' under the categories that Aristotle defines. Granted modern religion did not exist in his time, but I do believe (to some extents) that religion and other moral values will encourage people to reach out to others that they might not have normally.
As for answering the question presented I do feel that Facebook and MySpace can undermine a healthy view of oneself if it becomes something that one is dependent on. A website can only do so much and/or translate so much and it seems that what people really crave from such sites is true human interaction, which cannot be substituted with online networking. Social interactions and challenges help shape and define what each individual holds as valuable, and this cannot be shown online. While it is easy to click 'save the marmots' it takes the initiative to actually get up and do something to hold such a view. While there are certainly people who felt compelled to start such a 'group', and a few might even do something, the majority of things people simply do so as not to seem cruel. If someone cannot sit in silence with them self then they certainly must not have a true idea of who they truly are. Which is what is really scary.
This is an interesting question because it certainly does challenge the conventional definition of a friend. I strongly disagree with Aristotle, who (very simply put) seems to think men are only friends with each other to be pleasant or get some utility from each other. I will agree that often people are friends with each other simply for the comfort each other, but I think true friendship challenges previously conceived notions and also strongly motivates to be a better person. It is certainly true that people influence others to do wrong or otherwise that is not beneficial for them, but I don't know how such a person could still fall under the category of a 'friend' regardless of the perception. I also believe that people can be friends with others that are 'unequal' under the categories that Aristotle defines. Granted modern religion did not exist in his time, but I do believe (to some extents) that religion and other moral values will encourage people to reach out to others that they might not have normally.
As for answering the question presented I do feel that Facebook and MySpace can undermine a healthy view of oneself if it becomes something that one is dependent on. A website can only do so much and/or translate so much and it seems that what people really crave from such sites is true human interaction, which cannot be substituted with online networking. Social interactions and challenges help shape and define what each individual holds as valuable, and this cannot be shown online. While it is easy to click 'save the marmots' it takes the initiative to actually get up and do something to hold such a view. While there are certainly people who felt compelled to start such a 'group', and a few might even do something, the majority of things people simply do so as not to seem cruel. If someone cannot sit in silence with them self then they certainly must not have a true idea of who they truly are. Which is what is really scary.
Friday, February 8, 2008
A Definition Article
This article, published on CNET addresses the argument that biofuels are more efficient than traditional fuels, but the article is aimed to show that in fact they are not more efficient.
The article would argue that the true definition of environmentally efficient takes into account all the processes of production of the product as well as the secondary effects on a larger scale.
"This land use problem is not just a secondary effect--it was often just a footnote in prior papers," Searchinger said. "It is major. The comparison with fossil fuels is going to be adverse for virtually all biofuels on cropland."
While it might seem that previous estimates of gains due to biofuels was grossly over-estimated and that adjustments will need to be made quickly.
Link:
http://www.news.com/Studies-deem-biofuels-a-greenhouse-threat/2100-11395_3-6229683.html
The article would argue that the true definition of environmentally efficient takes into account all the processes of production of the product as well as the secondary effects on a larger scale.
"This land use problem is not just a secondary effect--it was often just a footnote in prior papers," Searchinger said. "It is major. The comparison with fossil fuels is going to be adverse for virtually all biofuels on cropland."
While it might seem that previous estimates of gains due to biofuels was grossly over-estimated and that adjustments will need to be made quickly.
Link:
http://www.news.com/Studies-deem-biofuels-a-greenhouse-threat/2100-11395_3-6229683.html
Thursday, February 7, 2008
Visual Analysis
Link:
http://www.reproarte.com/files/images/M/monet_claude/monet_seerosenteich_dia.jpg
This picture was painted by Claude Monet which by definition gives a strong ethical argument as Monet is a very well known and respected artist. The subject was also a definite place which could have easily been visited to compare. As far as a pathetic argument, the painting uses very light and bright colors which clearly imply a clear summer or spring day. The lightness of the brush strokes create an almost whimsical feel to the painting as if it were a painting painted in a carefree manner. There is little logical appeal however, as stated before, the subject could easily been visited for a comparison.
http://www.reproarte.com/files/images/M/monet_claude/monet_seerosenteich_dia.jpg
This picture was painted by Claude Monet which by definition gives a strong ethical argument as Monet is a very well known and respected artist. The subject was also a definite place which could have easily been visited to compare. As far as a pathetic argument, the painting uses very light and bright colors which clearly imply a clear summer or spring day. The lightness of the brush strokes create an almost whimsical feel to the painting as if it were a painting painted in a carefree manner. There is little logical appeal however, as stated before, the subject could easily been visited for a comparison.
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