Goldberg: Obama wears a white hat

"Weirdest Friday news dump ever." Jonah Goldberg starts his persuasive news article with a bang. The article "Obama wears a white hat" (http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/commentary/la-oe-goldberg-uganda-20111018,0,6224886.column) primarily focuses on Obama's decision to send one hundred American Special Forces troops to Uganda to combat the Lord's Resistance Army of Uganda. The LRA, led by Joseph Kony, is a terrorist cell that has been plaguing central Africa for decades. Goldberg centers his argument on how hurried and out-of-place this news was when accompanied with the 2011 deficit and Obamacare corrections. Is Obama following Bush's foreign policy? Goldberg makes the argument that no, sometimes...."[the]cowboy does what he has to do on the grounds that some men just need killing." Goldberg does an excellent job arguing and explaining his main points. He pulls in supporting articles while answering possible counterarguments at the same time. His tone and style fit his position perfectly and complement his argument as a whole while giving his audience enough background to understand the news flash.

Sound and Fury

I am not deaf. I never have been and do not know anyone who is deaf. This being said, I am not part of that discourse, nor do I claim to understand it. However, I still believe whole-heartedly that Heather's parents made a mistake by not implanting Heather with a cochlear implant. Heather's parents wanted to keep Heather a part of the "deaf community" and part of their deaf family. When other deaf relatives were told about the cochlear implant option, they felt it would destroy the bond felt between deaf people while not increasing Heather's chances of being successful later in life. That is where they are wrong. The deaf community is small and, with new technology, getting smaller. The ability to interact with hearing people is essential in one's life if they ever want to be truly free. As a deaf, your education, spouse, job, salary, and location are extremely limited to other deaf communities and people. Also, Heather would not "loose deaf culture" so to speak but would be adding "hearing culture." Heather was only five when Sound and Fury shot, and so she had little say in the matter of the cochlear implant that could have radically change her life. Eleven years later, I would be interested to see how her life and Peter's (Heather's cousin who was implanted) developed differently.

Fears

Perferctionism is not a character attribute.  It is a fear. It starts at a young age and grows like a vine. It begins simple. Someone notices how well you do something be it at school or a sport. Then the standard is set. You cannot fail; you cannot let anyone else down. Everybody has their off days, but you can't afford to let that happen. Webster defines perfectionism as "a disposition to regard anything short of perfection as unacceptable." However, if you are not careful then this "disposition" could easily become your life or prevent you from truly living it.  In the words of Winston Churchill, “The maxim "Nothing but perfection" may be spelled "Paralysis.”

Song of the Age

The song "Hero of War" by the band Rise Against brings to light some of the tragedies occuring among our soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan.  "Hero of War" loosely follows one young man as he serves in our nation's military. The song doesn't center on the man but on the barbarous acts being committed and how distraught our returning soldiers are over what they have done. Today, most Americans are apathetic towards both wars as they battle with a slow economy and unemployment problems at home. This sense of apathy towards our soldiers is apparent in the lyrics, "And I brought home that flag, Now it gathers dust." With an all-volunteer military, few citizens care about where or why we send our soldiers to die. The only time I have heard something said about our wars deals with casualties or cost. Civilians have lost faith in the U.S. government and military and it (as it did in Vietnam) is beginning to affect our soldiers in the field and those who return.

My Writing Metaphor

Writing has always been like breathing for me. It is not necessarily fun at times, however, I do not struggle over my assignments.  It  has been a way for peers and teachers to judge my thoughts and abilities. However, AP Composition is "evolving" my outlook. Like composing a symphony, writing of all types can be just as flavorful, unique, and rewarding. (It can also be sloppy, lazy, and confusing as Mr. Kunkle has shown us.) My writing metaphor is to keep breathing.  You don't realize how often you inhale and exhale till you purposefully watch for it. By "remembering to breathe" my desire is to intentionally become a better, stronger writer.

Presidential Address

John F. Kennedy spent only one thousand days as President of the United States. During that time, JFK managed to prevent a nuclear war with Cuba and the Soviet Union as well as support the failed Bay of Pigs regime. However, JFK's "support doctrine" lived well past JFK and tied America to a ten thousand day war in Vietnam. "Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe, to assure the survival and the success of liberty. This much we pledge -- and more." (http://www.americanrhetoric.com/speeches/jfkinaugural.htm) With these bold words, Kennedy signed away America's future to the needs of weak, corrupt nations. Support became the word to describe American forces during the Vietnam Conflict. We did not fight to win but to protect a government and nation that not and could not protect itself. Although a simple, everyday word, "support" changed the lives of millions of Americans and he world has never been the same.

Summer Book Blog

A riveting read, Laura Hillenbrand’s “Unbroken” is 496 pages of great writing. Unbroken is a non-fiction book about the life of Louis Zamperini. The story follows Louis from a young mischievous age describing his tenacity and strong will as well as his tendency to get into trouble.  As Louis becomes an adult, his passion for running turns into an obsession.   He trains for and secures a spot at the 1936 Summer Olympics held in Berlin, Germany; however, he is not a medalist.  Afterwards, Louis begins to work even harder in order to compete at the next Olympics--setting some collegiate records of his own.  Unfortunately, Zamperini’s dream was shattered by Hitler’s thirst for conquest.  Like many young men of this generation, Louis swiftly enlisted into the United States Air Force and became a bombardier. While on a rescue mission over the Pacific Ocean, Louis’ plane had mechanical problems and crashed at sea. For the next 47 days, Zamperini and two other crewmen drift somberly while fighting off hunger, sharks, and mental sanity. Sadly, an American rescue never comes.  Zamperini and one surviving crewman are captured by the Japanese navy. For the next two and half years, Louis is subjected to the brutal living conditions of a Japanese prisoner of war camp enduring horrendous beatings by a Japanese guard known as “the Bird.” At the end of World War II, Louis returned to America to begin a new life and eventually marrying.  However, this “new” life quickly becomes littered with flashbacks and alcoholism. Louie’s wife, Cynthia, was instrumental in getting him to attend a Billy Graham crusade where he found Christianity.  He attributed his change of character to this new found religion and eventually forgave “The Bird” and discards his alcohol addiction.  Louis Zamperini went on to become an inspirational speaker sharing his personal testimony and stories of war to audiences all around the world. 

Wollstonecraft's Essay

While printing off Wollstonecraft’s essay, I quickly realized that it wasn’t going to be a quick read.  Struggling through the first two paragraphs of Old English, I settled myself into a comfortable chair for the long haul. By page three, I finally found myself able to understand Wollstonecraft’s thoughts without having to re-read pages.

Throughout the essay, I was impressed by how professionally Wollstonecraft presented her evidence on behalf of women. She constantly pointed to famous references such as Rousseau and John Milton (a famous English author and poet) only to refute their beliefs. Although the essay seemed dreadfully long at times, every page was used to its fullest potential to fight for women’s civil and intellectual rights. From tradition to obedience to Biblical references, Wollstonecraft effectively destroys every reason why women are thought inferior.  She proceeds to further explain how these prejudices adversely affect a woman’s life -- specifically an endless search for exciting passion and sensation.

It is hard to conceive that women’s rights are less than a hundred years old.  Today, women are a vital part of America’s workforce and are making a difference in every career imaginable. However, there are still struggles to overcome regarding military placement for women; although I am unsure if Wollstonecraft’s data applies. Nevertheless, I believe that Wollstonecraft’s essay was compelling in its explanation of the natural necessities of women’s rights. 

Is Google Making Us Stupid?

“Is Google Making Us Stupid?” by Nicholas Carr was a unique article and an interesting read.  In a world where technological advances occur at an ever-accelerating rate, how often do we stop to consider the implications beyond our own instant gratification?  I found Carr’s essay to be refreshing and it confirmed my suspicions about the world’s next generations becoming too technology dependant.

Carr’s writing style is easy to read and understand, his beliefs are clearly outlined and supported. I, agree with his assertion that reading long-winded articles or newspaper reports have become increasingly difficult for the average individual, as our computer screens are being filled with short Internet articles and video news clips. Carr goes to great lengths to provide examples of how other inventions have changed our thought process and everyday lives including the: written language, typewriter, clock, and Taylorism.  Looking to the future, Carr implies that supplementing or even replacing our brains is a possibility in the eyes of the Google founders. I wonder…when does the health of our minds outweigh the world’s need for efficiency, speed, and convenience?

Skunk Dreams

The title, “Skunk Dreams,” did not arouse my attention and I prejudged its content.  However, as the story progressed, I found myself becoming more intrigued by the plot. Erdrich’s style of writing is different from other authors that I have read.  It requires a certain philosophical frame of mind to follow the numerous descriptions back to the main point. These images, while at times not needed, do a great job at making the reader feel, smell, hear, and see what Erdrich is describing.  Although I first doubted that a story with such a drab label could contain an intriguing plot, I was pleasantly surprised.  Being an outdoorsman, I can sympathize with Erdrich and her struggle (or her character’s struggle) with changing landscapes. Nevertheless, I do not believe that the event with the skunk or the rapid change of scenery is what Erdrich wanted to capitalize on. Throughout the story, dreams constantly remained at the forefront. From what I understand, dreams are created by the brain pulling on past experiences, emotions, and beliefs. Nevertheless, that doesn’t explain Erdrich’s dream of the wildlife preserve before ever visiting it. This paradox is what Erdrich poses to the readers.  Are there any limits to a dreamer, whether human or animal, that even the future may be told?

Talk of the Town Essays

Having been barely eight years old at the time of the tragedy of 9/11, I can attest more to its aftermath than the event itself.  This being said, John Updike’s and Susan Sontag’s Talk of the Town essays give great insight to a horrendous scar still felt today.

After reading the first sentence of John Updike’s essay, I was hooked by his great use of foreshadow.  He went on to describe the events that unfolded with riveting detail and emotion.  “Amid the glittering impassivity of the many buildings across the East River, an empty spot had appeared, as if by electronic command, beneath the sky that, but for the sulfurous cloud streaming south toward the ocean, was pure blue, rendered uncannily pristine by the absence of jet trails.” This sentence, long enough to be considered a paragraph by some, completely defines Updike’s eloquent writing style.  Nearing the end of the essay, Updike poses the question that possibly our great pride of American “freedom” could be what is allowing such murderous violence. Nevertheless, Updike ends the essay fully confident in America and her strength to keep thundering ahead.

Sontag’s essay, although well written, did not appeal to me. Her superfluous use of large, complex words became annoying as the essay dragged on. I agreed with the submission that some of our leaders and the decisions they made were rushed and not fully thought through; however, I believe she allowed her essay to become the “self-righteous drivel” she herself was trying to hammer.  Yes, the American public is naive and often taken advantage of but so were the colonies before they rebelled from Great Britain.  Before ending the essay, Sontag did put forth an interesting question,” Who doubts that America is strong? But that’s not all America has to be.”  This ending seemed to be the cooling point of woman on her soap box, starting with deceptive politicians and a “robotic President” and ending by assuring us of America’s strength with a need for intelligence.

Introduction: Who am I?

"Who am I?"  I am a student, a researcher, a son, a friend, a hunter, a fisherman, a reader, an athlete, a brother. . However, these descriptions merely represent what I do or how I fit in society. The question of who I am has gone unanswered.

My name is Matthew Russell and I am a Wisconsinite by birth. I have lived in Madison my entire life (18 years this August). My family has eight members if you count our ten-year old golden retriever, Ginger. I am the middle child with two older and two younger siblings.  My mother describes me as a rambunctious child by nature; if I was not busy, I was in trouble. Perhaps that is still the case!  Although the picture may be getting clearer, understanding who I am requires an even deeper view

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I would describe myself as an individual "driven to excellence." I embody the very essence of a perfectionist, except (according to my mother) when it comes to doing chores. In my struggle to be in control, I can spend countless hours fretting over things most individuals would not dwell upon. I am in no way a genius; however, I am self-motivated and not easily deterred. Furthermore, I admit that I am stubborn. I refuse to quit a hobby or task until I have mastered it or it has mastered me.   

Alas, the lens is completely in focus.  However, it will remain so for a short time.  For the image of “who am I” is constantly shifting with every decision, every opportunity, and every challenge.  It is that way for each of us.  As we begin this creative writing journey together, I am encouraged by the words of John Jakes, “Be yourself.  Above all, let who you are, what you are, what you believe, shine through every sentence you write, every piece you finish.”