Making Us Safer, One iPad at a Time

With the American society we live in today, crime is, unfortunately, an inevitable process we must prepare for and deal with later. However, because of the full agendas many judges face in their courts, those who are supposed to be 'justices' do our country injustice, letting these criminals off the hook with lighter punishments than should have been allowed. Steve Cohen of the New York Times proposes a solution to this issue, proposing that police cars begin to feature iPads in an effort to speed up the legal process for the prosecution, defense, and justice department. Cohen attempts to make the audience believe in this Apple technology and software, saying that the speed of these devices will bring a never-before-seen efficiency to the system of hearing and deciding on crimes. The problem stems from the boring and time-consuming process of filling out paperwork, one that slows down the delivery of cases to judges and results in unfair rulings for criminals because of the rush and pressure on the courts. If law enforcement had access to quicker and more advanced technology, Cohen argues, law enforcement will be able to do its job more effectively, judges feel more relaxed about the court process, and criminals can face the just punishment they deserve.

Suffer. Spend. Repeat.

Holiday shopping is defined drastically differently by the role one plays in the process: a joyous time of unity and togetherness for the receivers while absolute mayhem for those in charge of the price tags. And what would the American marketplace be to sit on the sidelines and hope for the best? Oliver Burkeman explores the manner through which stores advertise their holiday offers and create environments that induce mindless purchases. One way that the opinion piece captures its audience is by referencing case studies conducted by important figures, one being Penn State University. Penn State's experiment proved that music with fast tempo caused more impulsive purchasing, while a marketing professor at Western Kentucky University concluded that the same results can stem from slow tempo music as well. By using these examples as reasoning for his claim, Burkeman is able to control the audience and spread the opinion his piece is trying to convey: the holiday season is not solely responsible for ridiculous spending. Burkeman argues in his article that without the classic Christmas music, our holiday breaks seem lost and weak. However, too much of these things result in a slow loathing of the season, placing us in the zone businesses find optimal for sales. Getting caught up in the holiday season seems to be the Kryptonite for the super-spenders across the nation.

Listening In: The Secret White House Recordings of John F. Kennedy (IRB 3)

The period of John F. Kennedy's presidency can be best described as "sweet and sour", having both great strengths and glaring weaknesses. However, after reading through the beginning of the book Ted Widmer created to put these events into context, I have found that this book doesn't put the situation into a context that seems relevant and interesting to me, ultimately resulting in my dropping of the book. My problem stems from Widmer's addressing his audience and establishing a viable message for readers to comprehend and latch onto. The American people reading the story on a popular president are looking to find what this favorable man imperfect and discover the stains in his time as the leader of the United States. Not only that, the book should show some value on an entertainment level, as the public can find information to share with others more easily when the author sparks interest and intrigue with their writing. Although the events Widmer displays in his work are historically accurate, I do not find the portrayal of this information engaging and, as a result, have started looking for another nonfiction book to read. Through this experience, I have actually grown rhetorically, since I now understand that my belief that Widmer did not achieve his purpose in his new book could be seen differently by the millions who enjoy this piece of his.

Redskins, Robert Griffin III stake position in NFC East

With the beloved Eagles struggling tremendously to hang on a playoff spot in the NFC, attention has shifted from the Philadelphia team and to the rest of the teams in their division, the NFC East. After an incredible game Thanksgiving night, the new talk of the division has become quarterback Robert Griffin III and his Washington Redskins. In this article, though, Sally Jenkins of the Washington Post does not simply state the statistics from the game, but argues to her informed football audience that the Redskins showed something more than one good performance in their win over the Dallas Cowboys and are a legitimate threat to the New York Giants for the NFC East title. As a result, Jenkins is sending a message to her audience to jump on the Redskins' bandwagon now, since she envisions their recent surge to only grow in the coming weeks. She is able to back up her claim with substantial evidence: for example, the flailing performances of the Eagles and Cowboys, the easy schedule the Redskins now face, the return of many injured Redskins players, and the improvement in Robert Griffin III and his offensive line's performances. With the substantial backing used to defend her point and her use of diction to detail the present situation, Sally Jenkins was, in my opinion, able to achieve her purpose and bring attention to what could be one of the NFL's defining storylines this season.

Saturday Night Live 11-17-2012 Weekend Update Skit

In an attempt to please its thousands of weekly viewers, Saturday Night Live constantly works toward one goal: to entertain the audience with satires of the events surrounding the United States and the world. The script writers of SNL are able to do this through their Weekend Update skit, a satire on new broadcast stations and their display of information from a distorted lens. Through the host Seth Meyers, hilarious truths are uncovered in the current events that circulate in our daily news. An example of this is seen in this week's skit, the first episode since the revelation of former CIA director David Petraeus's affair. SNL takes advantage of this news to dissect the events from recent days regarding the affair and create an entertaining product for its audience by putting a humorous twist on the situation. In fact, the skit displays cause and effect in Seth Meyers's assumption that if the director of the CIA can't get away with this kind of relationship, no one can. Chris Christie's appearance is effective in satirizing the public as well, as they make fun of Christie's favorite fleece and his handling of Hurricane Sandy. By revealing all of these satires of political figures through an edgy perspective, especially after the recent election, SNL achieves its goal in entertaining the audience with the hilarious Weekend Update skit.

The Cliff is a Hard Place to Compromise

As our reelected President Barack Obama moves forward, he has been tasked with a very tall task: finding middle ground between the Republicans and the Democrats to bring the two parties together. Obama's second 4-year term could prove to be crucial to the unification, or at least compromise, of our currently divided American people. Author David Leonhardt is explaining this possibility to those, both Republican or Democrat, wondering what Barack's reelection means for the country in the next four years. This political article keys in on the limits that Obama faces as he enters his next term with a House of Representatives controlled by a Republican majority, but also the incredible amount of change Obama could impose as well. Leonhardt uses hyperbole to explain the restriction the Republican House places on Barack's ability to pass legislation, saying Obama's legislation will not have any signficant change, as opposed to a bill "on climate change". Leonhardt is able to convey his message of an open and bright future for Obama, shedding light on the positives that face the future of the Republican-Democrat conflict. With imagery involving Obama's approach on "the cliff", the outlook readers have on the post-election America changes dramatically and becomes more hopeful for the citizens of the United States of America.

Rory McIlroy: The Biography (IRB #2)

I found this reading in the biography of Rory McIlroy very interesting, as it connected to issues discussed in our European History classes early in high school. McIlroy, being a Northern Irish and Catholic man, faced religious conflict when the Catholic and Protestant denominations of the Christian religion divided Ireland. McIlroy even needed to swallow the death of his great-uncle Joe who was killed by a UVF hit squad upon moving to a Protestant region of the country. Through this information regarding the harsh conditions Rory grew up around, the purpose of the author is clear: to show the development of McIlory's golf skills and personality to seen as readers as a miracle. B making each of Rory's accomplishments the result of a miraculous beginning in Ireland, the achievements he has conquered and will continue to conquer in the future are enlarged significantly in the scheme of the world of golf. Author Frank Worrall also uses many quotes from other golfers, both retired and playing currently, to prove the great effect McIlroy has had on the game in just the start of his career. This strategy also seems to be used by Worrall to put the progress of the Irish prodigy's career under the microscope and increase the level of respect the audience of readers learn to show for Rory McIlroy.

Urgent Warnings as Hurricane Sandy Heads to Northeast

Marc Santora highlights the impending hurricane and the conditions that this storm will bring about in the upcoming days for northeastern states with this article. However, the audience Santora seems to be focusing on is the western and central states, most probably attempting to tell those not involved and, consequently, not informed of the serious implications this could have on the eastern coast. An interesting way Santora goes about revealing this information is through a comparison to Hurricane Irene, which struck just this past year. This rhetorical device allowed the article to give more detail and more relevancy, as it drew parallels to a well-known storm that occurred relatively recently. In this way, the states far from the impact points of Hurricane Sandy's path can connect the devastation that approaches the northeast to a similar encounter from the past. Through this comparison, the use of personification, and incredible detail in diction, Santora is able to achieve his purpose, spreading the message of the status of the northeastern states as they face an imminent weather catastrophe. By using descriptive language to explain the preparations people are making and the storm itself, Santora paints the picture of urgency and defense for the people living along the Atlantic and adds bystanders in the western and central states to the support groups to aid the preparations.

Testing My Twins

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/10/21/opinion/sunday/testing-my-twins.html?ref=opinion

Could twins hold more similarities than we currently know? This New York Times article, written by Claire Needell Hollander, explains an unusual correlation of test scores between two identical twin sisters. The article, a piece featured in the Opinion section, is addressing those affiliated with the education system (teachers, principals, guidance councilors, etc) as well as parents of children in both public and private schools. Hollander noted that her twin daughters had identical scores on their fourth grade standardized tests and almost exactly the same in fifth grade. However, the scores from fifth grade were fourty points lower than the test in fourth, leading to Hollander’s question: “How could they have not learned anything all year?” She questions whether this drop had something to do with her children’s twin-hood, making knowledge of studies of identical twins very beneficial for the reader. Hollander takes advantage of this situation, converting it from a story of twin relationships to a message of securing the optimal education of American youth. When looking through this lens, readers can confidently conclude that Hollander, with her use of logos, syntax, and repetition, was able to convey her desired message in the article. Maybe, Hollander proposes, we should focus more on the educators teaching our children than the students themselves.

Drew Brees, New Orleans Saints QB, says bounty penalties based on 'rhetoric'

In this article, Saints Quarterback Drew Brees delves into the details behind the alleged bounty scandal, a program the league believes funded rewards for players who injured members of the opposing team. More specifically, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell is criticized for the punishments being "based upon speculation and rhetoric." Because of the uncertainty that now faces the bounty situation in the eyes of the league, this article attempts to display the effect of these accusations by Saints players on the outlook of the bounty scandal as a whole. The author of this ESPN.com article is speaking to the community that watches and supports the NFL, as the suspensions of Saints players and coaches seems to have played large in the mediocre performance of the team. It was difficult to find the use of rhetorical devices in this article, given that the nonfiction setting makes a writer's top priority to make sure the reader comprehends the event. If the author's purpose was to inform the the reader of the new direction of the bounty system case and leave the feeling of uncertainty surrounding the situation, the writer achieved his purpose, putting the reader at a more informed, but still suspenseful state as they wait for the next shift of momentum in this conflict.

Rory McIlroy: The Biography (IRB #1)

This biography on Rory McIlroy, written by author Frank Worrall, introduces the story of a Northern Irish boy, growing up in an incredibly difficult environment and becoming a golf prodigy. Worrall sets a timeline for the book, highlighting the major milestones in McIlroy's career, including his win at the World Junior Championship at the age of 10, his colossal implosion at the 2011 Masters, and his redemption at the 2011 US Open at Congressional Golf Club. The story emits inspiration and perseverance, geared especially towards those with a strong interest in the game of golf. In this way, a background on golf and even the major competitions McIlroy has participated in the past three years would assist the reader in understanding the life of Rory. Worrall attempts to tell the story of Rory McIlroy and inform the audience of the true grit and practice that goes into becoming the world's best. Though the goal of biographies is to portray the individual without biases, the story is slightly exaggerated with the use of pathos to make the events in the book more powerful. So far, Worrall has done his job, sparking interest in me, the reader, and enticing me to continue moving through the pages and learning more about this golf mastermind.

Hail to the Chief

This article, written by S.L. Price of Sports Illustrated, is directed to the world of athletics, as the information in the article could potentially change the way an entire city functions. Price writes about Robert Griffin III, a former Baylor quarterback drafted with the second pick in the NFL Draft by the Washington Redskins, and what his presence has meant for Washington D.C. and its hopes to win a title. One would need to understand the horrible play of the Redskins in the past years, only making the playoffs once in the past 10 years. Price intends for the reader to become informed on the bright new future in D.C. that is possible from this special player joining the team's roster, showing the ability and impact Griffin has had thus far in the season. This purpose is clear, as the consequential articles follow similar themes of rejuvenating the passion for sports in a town desperate for athletic success, examples being the Washington Nationals and the Baltimore Orioles. With some of the direct quotes from Redskins' fans, I feel that Price is able to portray his message, as he shows the change in tone of the capital's people as they are faced with absolute failure and now potential glory.

Obama Foreign Policy Cartoon

This cartoon, created by Rick McKee of the Augusta Chronicle, keys in on the belief that President Obama has yet to fully address the issue of foreign policy. Directed at the American people aware of Obama's presidency and especially those voting this November, McKee attempts to satire not only the President's neglecting of the rest of the world, but also the fact that the American people are too distracted to notice. He accomplishes this by deleting every nation except the US from the globe. The Americans are too distracted by Obama's appearance on Letterman to even notice the difference in the planet. An awareness of the recent uprising in the Middle East adds to the purpose of this cartoon, as well as the conflicts facing Obama's campaign. Obviously, as with all political cartoons, satire is used to over-exaggerate a situation like Obama's inability to sufficiently address foreign policy and transform it into a comical scenario. I feel that Rick McKee has achieved his desired intention from the cartoon, as he is able to displays arguably Obama's worst enemy heading into election season and jokes about the circumstances facing the US internationally today. In this way, McKee puts his desired spin on Barack Obama's international policies, though this could be one of the most important and serious problems facing the world in the near future.

U.S. Is Preparing for a Long Siege of Arab Unrest

Link to Article: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/09/16/world/middleeast/us-is-preparing-for-a-long-siege-of-arab-unrest.html?pagewanted=all

This New York Times article delves into the recent development in Middle Eastern countries, destroying all symbols of American nationalism after a Anti-Muslim film insulting Mohammed was released. We can assume that the viewpoint of this article is slightly influenced by the US since both authors of this article are White House correspondents. The importance of this article is clear, given that many people do not envision that changes will occur not only in the Middle East, but also in our own nation, as this foreign policy issue battles President Obama heading into the upcoming election. We must also consider that these authors are writing in what has been shortly after the climax of the attacks, helping us readers to predict a somewhat panicked and unsure tone for this article. Obviously, the New York Times is directed to the general public, more specifically trying to inform the common American about the recent events in the world. In a way, though, the article does show a subtle type of persuasion, attempting to instill a sense of concern about this issue, illustrating the use of rhetoric. I feel that both authors were able to use their writing effectively to inform the people of the United States about the rioting in the Middle East. As someone who had very little awareness of this issue prior to reading this article, I can now feel confident telling about the situation to others and considering the effects this issue will have on the impending election.