4/26/06 Thousands of Penn State students dread the upcoming weekend, because it signals the end of partying and beginning of the week most stressful week of all known as finals week. But for 11 recently graduated students this weekend brings even more stress along with the biggest day of their lives. Saturday and Sunday will be the days that shape the future for these Penn State Alumnus. New York City will host this life changing event called the NFL Draft and many Penn State students will keep an eye toward the television while studying for finals. For the Penn State football players who hope to hear their name called on Saturday or at least Sunday, stress levels are at all time high. After performing over and over for hundreds of scouts and being paraded like cattle in front of executives, coaches, and medical personal, the young men are left to wait and wonder about their future careers. Good luck to all PSU players in the draft, cant wait to see you playing on Sundays.

4/25/06 As the hockey playoffs begin it seems that regular season darlings New York Rangers will be having a very short stay in this years playoffs. The New York Rangers are already down 3-0 in a best of seven series and are a game from elimination. The Rangers in their first playoff appearance in 7 years look like an inexperienced and sloppy team that has lost 8 consecutive games. The biggest problem is that team leader and most valuable player Jarmir Jagr has been unable to perform, because of a severe shoulder injury sustained late in game one. The injury has highlighted the fact that the team depends primarily on Jagr for all there offense and without him they can not score goals. As game four approaches Rangers need a miraculous recovery from Jagr and immense help from the hockey gods to make this a competitive series.

4/25/06 How come one of the biggest and best university in the America can’t pervade adequate housing for its students? Penn State is one of the premier Universities in America and it is also one of the largest and most powerful, but some reason the brilliant minds of the Penn State can’t provide enough housing for its students. This year I live in supplemental housing which is more like an orphanage rather than a prestige’s dormitory, but the worse part is that one of my roommates who lived an entire year in this orphanage with 6 roommates will have to do the same next year. Why is this the case, because the university bottom line involves maximizing a profit rather than maximizing the student experience. And that is a real shame for the students and my roommate!!!!!

Proposal for final paper

25 percent of all children under the age of 15 are child laborers. The striking number of child laborers and the deplorable conditions many of them work in is a polarizing issue across America and within Penn State. For the most part, child laborers perform dirty and some times even dangerous work for little compensation. To compound the problem the children work extremely long hours. The presiding view of child labor within the United States and Penn State is that it is wrong, and rightfully so. Also, the popular view includes the notion that purchasing items made through sweat shops that employ child laborers is wrong and unethical and that the way to solve child labor is to stop purchasing products made by child laborers. On this item I will have to disagree, child labor within the 3rd world is a necessity for many, due to the inability of the family to provide adequate nutrition and shelter for all their kids, some are pressed to begin contributing to the family from a very young age. The compensation the children receive allow the families to stay together and survive. An elimination of the jobs would create complete destruction to many families in the 3rd world. Child labor cannot be viewed as a black and white issue, because there is clearly much gray involved. For many Child labor is a necessary evil in the evolution of their economy and market place. I believe that American companies and consumers would be making a mistake by boycotting and restricting child made goods all together, and they would also be contributing to the delinquency of the population if they continued the deplorable status que. Thus, the solution for American companies and consumers should be a combination of buying the child labor products, while spending extra dollars to contribute to the societal info structure within the nations. Today many organizations are involved in alleviating child labor the right way and buy donating money to their causes child labor will be solved in the long run.

Audience: American consumers and those who protest against child labor made products.

Goal: To highlight and show that eliminating child labor can not be done by boycotting their products, because that only makes the situation worse.

ProposalArgumentIntroductionBlog

4/3/06 A Modest Proposal is a skillful argument that moves from fact to ridicule. The argument begins by expressing the deplorable conditions and state of affairs in Ireland. Further, the argument signifies new born children as the strain on society and the main cause of the growing epidemic of poverty. From their Jonathan Swift lists and evaluates possible solutions to the problem, when he discuss the possible solutions it seems none would rid the country of its great burden. So in response Swift moves his argument to complete ridicule, mocking the government and their ideas for societies well being. In his attempt to mock the government Swift proposes a solution that would leave all concerned parties seemingly satisfied, sell children at the age of one and use them to make a delicious dish. This outlandish proposal is used as a tool of rhetoric in attempt to convey both a utilitarian and a humane approach to dealing with the citizens of Ireland. Overall, the use of humor and ridicule is very effective in griping the audience.

4/3/2006 As the weather at Penn State finally breaks, students in droves are moving outdoors to enjoy the weather. Yesterday Penn State resembled a summer resort with thousands of people tanning, playing football, and even swimming in an inflatable pool. Originally, when I choose to attend Penn State I knew the weather wasn’t going to be like sunny Florida, but I didn’t know how cold, gloomy, and miserable the winter months would be. Now that the winter is behind us, I am thrilled about the last month of class, which I hope will bring non stop sunny weather. Just as I write this blog I realize that today its 49 degrees with a chill 10 mile an hour wind, which will make the walk to class an unpleasant experience. Well as I was saying I hope the weather will be great from today on.

3/31/06As the hockey playoffs approach and my favorite team the Pittsburgh Penguins are long eliminated, I look toward another team I can root for during the playoffs. As long time Pittsburgh Penguins fan I can tell you I have always had a disgust for the neighboring New York Rangers, who always spent ridiculously to field all-star teams. In the past decade those teams have achieved little success, much to my delight because you shouldn’t be able to buy a winner. But this year the hated Rangers are quickly becoming my second favorite team. First of all, their payroll is equivalent to every other team and secondly they are not very talented. Somehow, the lack of talent has spurned a new worker mentality for a team that was always associated with lackadaisical play. This year they have played inspired team hockey, led by their leader Jaromir Jagr who has rediscovered his love for the game and a rookie goaltender who has played unbelievable.

Add a few spare parts and a couple lovable personalities such as Straka and Kasparitis and the Rangers look like my team for the post season. By the way it probably doesn’t hurt that they have five former penguins in their line-up. Let’s Go Rangers in 2006!!!! 2007 that’s the Penguins year!!!!!

3/30/06 My first year at Penn State has been mostly a fulfilling experience. I have enjoyed the new friends I made, the football games and even the classes. For a large university Penn State faculty does a great job meeting all the needs of its students. All of my professors have been easily accessible and very willing to help in every aspect they could. There has been one exception my Computer Science professor, who has gone to great lengths to make her class more confusing and more frustrating. The professor has refused to go over the previous exam, answer questions in class, or reschedule office hours, which she abruptly canceled. To make matters worse the TA of CMPSC are ill prepared to teach the course and receives little help from the professor who on more than one occasion reprimanded TA’s for providing more material and helping students. Overall, I wonder how a prestige’s university as Penn State allows Professors like that to maintain there jobs. Note to others don’t take CMPSC during the day. Take it at NIGHT!!!!!!

CausalArgumentIntroductionBlog

3/27/2006 Stigmery is a concept that was introduced in 1950’s in attempt to explain the coordinated behavior of social insects. Stigmery can be described as an innate communication skill within the social insects kingdom. Stigmery allows for insects to coordinate important activities to create for the common good of the entire population. Scientists believe stigmery skills in insects are high and allow them to survive.

Proposal Argument:

3/21/2006

General Motors is one of the oldest and most storied America corporations. General Motors history includes an unprecedented number of years atop the extremely competitive auto market. GM’s achievements in the auto industry are illustrious and far reaching, but today GM have fallen on tough times. It has lost a share of the market for seven consecutive years and is on pace to be outsold by Toyota in 2007 fiscal year. The stock prices of GM stock have plummeted to all time lows and GM’s premier parts maker filed for bankruptcy. Further, the rising gas prices have hammered the most profitability vehicles in the GM fleet, the luxury SUV’s. To make maters worse, GM owes huge retirement and medical payments to its rising number of retired employees. The future only holds more insecurity as the Chinese will introduce two car lines by 2007, which will push out GM’s best selling vehicles, economic sedans. In light of such grim circumstances, GM must file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy and attempt to restructure its operations. This restructuring must include buyouts of current employee’s retirement and medical compensation benefits, release of employees, and the closing of inefficient and poor quality plants. These measures must be undertaken to keep GM viable and competitive in today’s and tomorrow’s auto market.

Target of proposal: To convince audience that GM must file for bankruptcy and under bankruptcy protection undertake an awesome restructuring deal.

Opposing View: Labor Unions and Hundreds of thousands of former or current employees would appose bankruptcy, because it would mean their medical and retirement policies would be worth much less.

Considerations: Receiving government help to pay medical and retirement befits that are crippling the company.

GM to offer buyouts to all hourly employees: Usatoday.com

General Motors announces plans to eliminate 25,000 jobs in US: David Walsh

9 June 2005: wsws.org

What Ails GM http://www.washingtonpost.com

Possibility of Federal Bailout for General Motors, Ford in Response to Increased

Health Care Costs, Other Issues http://www.fromthewilderness.com

Advice for GM http://www.wardsauto.com/

A World Without General Motors? http://secure.edmunds.com

3/21/06 In the past 6 months Penn State has experienced 7 different tragedies involving students dying in vehicle accidents. Most of these tragedies occurred when the students where traveling home for vacations. One death is too many but seven is outrages, with this many tragedies occurring Penn State university and Pendot must get together and analyze these accidents closer. I know personally that a portion route 99 which I take home to Pittsburgh is nicknamed suicide cliff, because when it gets cold, the road becomes pure ice and almost impossible to navigate. Another contributor to the extremely dangerous conditions is the huge number of tractor trailers that navigate the roads leading to State College. I believe if Penn State and Pendot do their job and take a closer look at the accident they will surmise that highways leading to State College are not safe and are in desperate need for maintenance and construction of new wider more safe roads.

3/19/06 The Communist Manifesto is a great piece of rhetoric and propaganda. Karl Marx begins the piece by identifying evils and inequality in society and linking it to Capitalistic principles. Further, Marx makes certain to address his audiences, which are the masses. He achieves this by quickly separating between the BOURGEOIS (the masses) and PROLETARIANS(elite few) (You've mixed these up! TheKemBlog). By establishing his target audience quickly Marx’s is more effective in progressing his argument. Marx’s is extremely effective in highlighting the ill effects of “Modern Industry” and free trade. Rather than focus on the positive effects of the Capitalistic system he draws every concept to one form of unfair exploitation or slavery. The use of emotional words such as exploitation produces more of a response from the audience, thus making the argument dually powerful. Marx’s continues to harp on the expansion of the Industrial Revolution and how it leads to Life and Death race for newly allotted countries. He also continues to praise the masses on their work and how their work has revolutionized the world, now as he holds the audience complete attention he makes a proposal. He proposes that the masses should own the fruits of their labor and should benefit from their creation, rather than the elite few. The concept and the proposal sound so appealing that it is no wonder that for almost half a century the world was semi-dominated with the communist ideals and government.

3/18/06 The NCAA basketball tourney is one of the most exciting sports tournaments in the world. March Madness as its called attracts millions viewers. These viewers make up some of the hardest people for marketers to attract. That’s why advertisers have opened there wallets and have pumped over 500 million dollars worth of advertisements into coverage of the NCAA tournament. Advertisers know that this is one of the few opportunities for them to target males 25-40 and college students, who’s TV viewership is tough to predict and calculate. Thus, when you watch the tournament this year, keep a keen eye on the advertisements, because many of them are targeted on us.

3/18/06 Many couples in America who are unable to conceive a child are turning to egg donors as the solution to their problems. They are seeking young donors at universities across the country and compensating them generously for their services. Compensation to the students can be upwards of 30,000 dollars, but 10,000 is more likely for regular egg donors. This scenario is great for both parties as Couples receive their bundles of joy and the young females are able to make money for school. The problem begins when parents begin to search for perfect babies with mothers with certain criteria as good looks, good family health, great grades, and uncanny athletic ability. This creates designer babies, because couples can select any feature they want their donors to have, with designer babies great ethical concerns come to light. I believe that couples should not be allowed to make up their perfect babies because that creates a scary precedent and could create a future where naturally born and conceived children are second rate citizens to perfectly selected babies. States must make laws to control egg donors selectivity, to protect the future.

3/17/06 Recent trends in the auto market have created a scary future for American Giant General Motors. General Motors lost 11 billion dollars during the 2005 year and their share of the overall vehicle market fell for 5th consecutive year. Current projects predict that Toyota will overtake GM as the overall largest car maker in the world by 2007. These disturbing figures are compounded by the fact that GM’s largest maker of parts filed for bankruptcy in 2005, adding an additional strain on GM. GM’s largest problem is the health and retirement payments they are paying out to the growing number of retired employees, this problem should only get worse over the next decade as baby boomers retire and live longer lives. All the data seems to suggest that bankruptcy and restructuring is the only way for General Motors to be competitive in tomorrow’s auto market. I also believe General Motors must take an initiative and attempt to compete with foreign automakers reliability. The first step they must take is realize that the way their doing business today, will not allow long term survival.

Mark Fainaru-Wada and Lance Williams are two respected reporters from the San-Francisco Chronicle, who wrote the book Game of Shadows. The book uncovers unequivocally that single season home run king Barry Bonds intentionally used steroids for more than 5 years. When I read the Sports Illustrated excerpt I was angry at the way Barry Bonds believed he was above the law and above the game of baseball. Today, I believe MLB commissioner Bud Selig must take action to reprimand Bonds for his actions. This decision must not be a slap on the wrist, rather a strong message that one can not disregard rules of baseball and society in an attempt to better themselves. The decision Bud Selig makes on this issue will not only affect Major League Baseball, but will also affect millions of young athletes, who look up to professional athletes as heroes. Steroids are a huge dilemma in today’s society and it must be addressed, starting with the most powerful man in baseball .

Slobodan Milosevic the former Serbian president was found dead on Saturday in his cell while awaiting trial. Milosevic was awaiting trial on numerous counts of war crimes and crimes against humanity. Milosevic was one of the most brutal dictators of the 20th century; his plan for ethnic cleansing included the murder of countless Albanians. Milosevic hid his despicable actions under the cover of fighting enemy combatants, while in reality he was exterminating Albanians. The true shame of Milosevic untimely death is that it preceded the completion of his war crimes trial, which would expose the extent of Milosevic terrible actions. Now Milosevic will be spared the shame and pain of going down as one of the most massive killers of the 20th century. His death saved Milosevic from being mentioned with the likes of his equals Hitler and Mussolini.

Sunday is upon us and the 65 teams competing in arguable the most exciting sports spectacle have been chosen. An undisputed champion will be crowned at the beginning of April. One team will win six games against the toughest competition and will earn the honor of National champion. Out of all the teams competing in post season tournament only one will end its season with a win. On the other hand, in football a crazy formula with dozens of inputs combined with the coach’s poll creates a national championship game. Further, 30 teams complete the season with a pointless victory. After all the games are played a group of so called experts decide who the national champion is. If this does not sounds silly to you, it certainly does to me, for athletes to compete throughout the entire season and in the end have something outside the final score of the game decide the final winner is preposterous. I believe nothing short of a post season tournament will legitimize the football national championship.

My entire life I have been a huge hockey fan, my favorite team by far is the Pittsburgh Penguins. I grew up watching the Penguins all-star teams of the mid 90’s and was heartbroken each spring as the talented penguins were knocked out of the playoffs. Over the past decade I have watched general manager Craig Patrick ship all-star players to other teams with little or no return. Craig Patrick a revered hockey man enjoyed great success in 1980’s and early 1990’s, but for the past decade he has been arguable the worst GM in hockey. Year after year Craig Patrick has been robbed blindly in trades with other teams. Patrick somehow managed to trade the National Hockey League top pleayers such as Yagr( the current top point producer) Straka, Kovolev, and Lang for not one single player that is on the penguins roster. This year Patrick again traded one of his top players Mark Rechi, for two minor leaguers and a second round pick. On the other hand, more capable GM’s were able to land first round draft picks and capable players for less talented players than Mark Rechie. I believe Patrick has let the game pass him by and should retire and let someone more capable take over.

EvaluationpaperIntroductionBLOG

My America

2/21/06In this artistic espouse by an international writer, an interesting perspective on American culture and customs is provided for the reader. Many thoughtful ideas are raised about American culture and its contradictions. The notion of America being a society on the edge modernity, while having the oldest intact constitution leaves a lot to consider. Further the concepts brought up by how America is country where argument and debate about issues concerning society are constantly ongoing, gives the reader more to consider. The perspective on American life is very powerful, especial due to the fact that the observations are made by an outsider. This is key because when one lives within a certain climate all there life they lose an ability to appreciate it. The British perspective on American life allows you to begin to appreciate America and all it has to offer. Overall, this was a very interesting look at America during one of its most patriotic time Thanksgiving Day.

Evaluation Argument

• 2/16/06The United States government promotes itself as harborer of democracy, free will, and promoting pursuit of happiness. In one word Liberty for its entire population. While it’s clear the government does take measures to support these ideals that liberty is very limited. Many AmerMy Americaican’s consider their country the most free in the world. I will argue that America do not experience more freedom than many of their European counterparts. My argument will evaluate conditions incorporated in a free society and where America falls short in many aspects.

• This argument will have a direct audience, the countless American people who believe that the USA is the nation with the greatest freedom. My hope is to reach a large and diverse audience. Throughout my argument I want my audience to question the extent of their freedom in America.

• The biggest challenge to my argument will be connecting with audience on the most important aspects of freedom to them.

• The counterview to my argument will be presented by the opinions of academics and examples of freedom within our society.

Works Consulted

Liberty, European-Style –Dan seligman

Address by JOHN MCCAIN, United States, Senator from Arizona

Liberty and freedom Fischer, David Hackett,

Freedom in the Middle East and North Africa

Uniting Europe : an introduction to the European Union Van Oudenaren, John.

Open government : an American tradition faces national security, privacy, and other challenges Hudson, David L.,

With liberty and justice for all : a life spent protecting the right to choose Michelman, Kate.

2/15/06Declaration of Independence

The declaration of independence is arguably the single most important document in United States history and Western world history. This document is constructed in such a precise way, that the document itself is a piece of art. Thomas Jefferson shows his incredible writing and rhetoric skills throughout the piece. His most outstanding achievement is his ability to reach and convince each sector of his target audience. The declaration is daunting task for Jefferson, who must convince England’s citizens, France, the Americans loyal to Brittan and those who are on the fence to adopt the philosophy of revolution. Jefferson definitely succeeds in his task and he creates a document, which gathered support in the new America’s, created sympathy from the British citizens, and spurned France to enter the conflict. The Keys to the success is the logical way the argument is presented, and how Jefferson methodically shows that every other avenue has been explored and that this is the only solution remaining.

IntroductionBlogDefinitionPaper

I responded to VaryAwesome Blog 2/8/06

Definition Argument 2/6/06 The United States government promotes itself as harborer of democracy, free will, and promoting pursuit of happiness. In one word Liberty for its entire population. While it’s clear the government does take measures to support these ideals, it is also clear by not supporting free and unabated such as stem cell research the government strikes these ideals short of contraception. Liberty is defined in Encyclopedia Britannica as the positive enjoyment of various social, political, or economic rights and privileges, and the power of choice. The most important issue is the power of choice. The choice to choose what is good for ones self is at the center of all American ideals, if this is violated true liberty cannot exist. Thus, the Unites States can not fully call its self a country which promotes unabated liberty for its people, because in fact that liberty is, in some aspects especially health care, aspects, very curtailed. The promotion of true liberty can not exist if millions of Americans are kept from living fuller longer and more fulfilling lives due to government regulations on their health.

• There are many people that will be affected by the more far reaching definition of liberty. Some of the interested parties include; people awaiting organ transplants, people fighting incurable diseases, doctors looking for the progress of medicine, families of the sick, religious organizations, and pharmaceutical companies.

• My hope is to reach a large and diverse audience. Throughout my agreement I want my audience to question Americas complete commitment to liberty and the many different meanings of liberty.

• The biggest challengers to particular wide reaching definition of liberty will be religious groups.

• Research and logic will be key factors in my argument of liberty. I have had no problem finding a plethora of sources that address the topics I want to discuss.

• My plan is to set up a logical argument that would expand the definition of liberty beyond its current narrow prospect.

Scientific Periodicals

• Embryonic Stem Cell Research Is Beneficial (National Institutes of Health)

• Embryonic Stem Cell Research Is Ethical (Orrin G. Hatch)

Orrin G. Hatch is a Republican U.S. senator from Utah

• Embryonic Stem Cell Research Is Ethical (Michael D. West)

• Embryonic Stem Cell Research Is Not Ethical (Dennis P. Hollinger)

Books

• Michael C. Brannigan. Ethical Issues in Human Cloning. New York: Seven Bridges, 2001.

• Gregory E. Pence. Re-Creating Medicine: Ethical Issues at the Frontiers of Medicine.

• Lanham, MD: Rowman & Littlefield, 2000. Liz Else. "The Good Fight," New Scientist, March 15, 2003.

Super Bowl 2/3/06 As the biggest yearly Sporting event in America is only a day away Americans are all preparing for the festivities involved in the Super Bowl. Today the Super Bowl has evolved from just a sporting event to a must see entertainment epicenter of America and probably much of the world. The half time show has evolved from a college marching band in the first Super Bowl to a multi million dollar Rolling Stone production. While for most people it’s a festivity of entertainment in two cities it’s the much more than that. For example in Pittsburgh the Super Bowl is a point of pride and exhilarating exuberance. Pittsburgh is a mid size city who has experienced quite a bit of hardship over the past 3 plus decades, but this lively city loves and lives through the success and failures of its sports teams. This is especially true for the Steelers who are not only the most popular team in town, they exhibit many of the qualities Pittsburghers are so proud of; toughness, determination, and loyalty. Steelers are the life blood of this city and Pittsburgh’s success in the future is partially linked with the success of its most favorite team, the Steelers. So Go Pittsburgh and Go Steelers, Win One for the thumb!!!!!!!!!

2/3/06 A growing trend throughout the nation has led to the apprehension of thousands of criminals. Following in the track of America’s Most Wanted local municipalities have began buying billboard space to put the most wanted suspects in plane view of all travelers. This technique has been very successful in both apprehending and later convicting local criminals. In fact many believe too successful, I agree that billboards are very close to crossing the line of presumed innocence until found guilty. Many of the suspects on the billboards are well mere suspects, but there image with their alleged crime makes them prematurely appear as criminals rather than suspects. For example the visible picture affects both eyewitness who might be swayed by the highly visible image and the jurors who before seeing the trial are bombarded with images of the suspect. Both of these facts make the new crime suspects billboards very controversial an maybe counter productive to our judicial system.

2/2/06 As Bush began addressing the nation in the yearly address one thing became clearly obvious. That fact was that this State of the union, was much different than the ones originally set up by the founders, it was just a bias spin on current events. Bush spoke confidently with great strength, about the great country and how everything was going superbly, including economy, internal social issues, and international policy. His speech resembled propaganda material of old world leaders. It was as if all the news was good news and that climate of domestic and international policies was being carried out perfectly. I’m not against providing a brighter picture for the nation and exhibiting confidence and exuberance for the future, but I am against clearly twisting international events to satisfy the good news policy. For example Bush spent extensive time talking about the Middle East and its democratic changes. As an example of this he used Hamas a clear militant and ultra terrorist group winning the Palestine elections, he followed that by the statement that now Hamas had to disarm, end terrorist activity, and recognize Israel. Well that’s the political ticket Hamas ran on and it’s the reason why they got elected, so rather than send a clear danger sign, that the Middle East is becoming more radical and militant, Bush spins it as more democratic. That type of “spin” is just irresponsible political work and could lead to more dangerous international diplomacy.

Bigger-than-life' Fed chairman retires today (Usa Today)

1/30/2005 As Alan Greenspan walks away from the economic epicenter of the free market, many questions are left to be answered. Will Ben Bernanke be able to fill the voids left by an almost mythically renowned figure?Will he be able to lead the nation through anything approaching 18 uninterrupted years of prosperity even in face of great crisis as 9/11, 87 stock crash, and the dot com bust of the late 90’s? Greenspan non-inflationary measures were ultra successful and his strength also provided people with great confidence in the economy. This in fact is Greenspan’s greatest feat inspiring confidence in the American market economy through good times and bad times. His other achievements such as manipulating the interest rate and holding of market forces in an attempt to reduce inflationary pressure in the economy, while still making sure not to disrupt GDP growth and employment was masterful, but not as important as the confidence he provided in the economy. Greenspan Arguable was the most influential FED chairman and definitely it’s most successful. His shoes will be tough to fill even by someone as prepared as Ben Bernstein.

Terrorism definition is a great example, of how divisive and important a definition of a single word can be. Terrorism, its sole definition is at the heart of conflict throughout many parts of the world. One widely accepted definition of terrorism as, "a policy intended to strike with terror those against whom it is adopted; the employment of methods of intimidation; the fact of terrorizing or condition of being terrorized,"(Oxford Dictionary) still can’t be agreed on or adopted by even the United Nations. This fact is true primarily because ones terrorist is another’s freedom fighter. Many of the definitions provided by national and international organizations have a very heavy political leaning. More interestingly many of the definitions have changed and leaned farther to the current political issues, for example many of the definitions provided were approved in post 9/11 world. These definitions are very different from the one provided at the League of Nations conference in 1937. These contradictions make arguments about definitions of Terrorism and other terms possible very effective central points to arguments.

1/26/2006 George W, Bush has been criticized in the past for his inability to effectively communicate with the American people. Well in this address 9 days after the great tragedy of September 11th, Bush comes up with a magnificent speech. Known for his rigid structure in his speeches, Bush keeps the structure relatively unchanged while orchestrating an adress which is centered around the appeals for emotion and values. First, Bush like his predecessor Roosevelt uses a few techniques to unite his audience no matter their background or religious affiliation. Bush reaches out to all peace loving people in America and the world, in plea to begin a new war unlike any other, one that will be fought on many continents and cost numerous life’s in a pursuit of eliminating terrorists and their organizations. Bush also uses Roosevelt’s words of “unprecedented time”, when he describes to the nation that it has never known a tragedy and battle of this type before, this is also used as an appeal to fear. Throughout the address Bush outlines the enemy the fight and the job of the American people during this difficult time. His confidence and strong demeanor comes through the words unlike any Bush speech before or after. Bush ends the address with an appeal to sadness and righteousness with the story of the fallen police man George Howard, this combined with the Bush’s assurance of the righteousness of our cause gives the address a very powerful and direct ending.

1/24/2006 This declaration is clearly an appeal to the values of the people presiding in the countries within the United Nations. This not true as a whole even, but United Nations within the western democratic hemisphere. Some of the laws outlined in articles 1-30 are inaliable laws that are valued throughout the entire world, while other laws are specific to the largest member UN nations. An example of this would be the article on marriage and government involvement. Other articles heavily push not only a democratic system but a free market capitalistic economy, which is prevalent in America and almost nowhere else at that time. Further it can be argued that the laws on equal protection, equal pay, and equal rights are articles that were not just widely dismissed in 1948, they are still not being fully implemented even in America in 2006. Thus, I believe the UN declaration is not a working document rather it is just a piece of rhetoric on paper.

Franklin Roosevelt’s State of the Union address exemplifies his greatness as an orator. He not only informs and directs the nation he also acts to inspire and unify it toward great sacrifice for the good of the Union. Roosevelt first explains the unprecedented threat to American security. Also, Roosevelt is very deliberate in explaining the importance of the war raging in Europe and the American interest at stake, primarily democracy throughout the world and its own security. After outlining the conflict at hand and its seriousness, Roosevelt artfully draws the plan that must be followed for resolution. Roosevelt encourages the steps already taken by the government and directly presents more that must be taken. Roosevelt strength and unwavering confidence shines throughout the address, he never ponders the decisions already made by the government nor does he hesitate to make more crucial decisions, such as increasing military production. Most importantly, Roosevelt must make the public buy into this huge militarizing plan, because without public support, gathering monetary funds to back the industrial explosion needed to achieve his goals would be impossible. Roosevelt arranges his argument so soundly and convincingly that when in the conclusion he asks people to pay more taxes, work more hours, and receive less compensation it seems not only a credible alternative but the only one. Overall the biggest strength of Roosevelt’s argument is his credibility stemming from his long history of strong handed and ultra successful decisions during the Great Depression. In retrospect Roosevelt is probably the only president who could sell a policy of increased military involvement to a largely isolationist society.

Use Today Snapshot

More than 9 in 10 investors say they would choose a financial service company with strong ethics; just 5% prefer higher returns.

Claims that snapshot supports

• American investors are ethical people who are concerned with more than just their returns.

• American Investors reacted greatly to the corporate scandals of 2000’s and are more concerned with ethical behavior within financial service companies.

Opposing claim

• American investors don’t really care about ethics of financial service companies, but they are only trying to protect their own long term interests. Due to the fact Americans invest through financial services for long periods of time, initial higher returns could be lost by inappropriate speculation by the financial services, thus they choose financial service companies with strong ethics.

1/18/06 A rewrite of IntroductionBlog's Introduction

Hi, my name is Nick Alfarano and I am a freshman. I went to high school at Fairfield High School, near Gettysburg, PA. I was originally born in Melbourne, FL and moved to Pennsylvania when I was 15. I enjoy many things, especially traveling to new places. I want to move to Australia some day. Not just visit, but live there. I was into theatre in high school. My school was very small so we didn't have much in the way of good opportunities for sports. I'm not big into sports, but my favorite football team is the Dolphins. I'm looking to major in communications, but who knows what I'll end up doing?

In response to DonsBlog

Hi, my name is Kesha Mejeritski and I'm also a freshman at Penn State. So far it has been a fun year and I'm having a great time, especially when the weather is nice. Likewise,I wasn’t sure I would end up going to Penn State, but I’m really happy I choose Penn State over all the other schools. I also had season tickets to the football games and that was a great experience, especially the Ohio State game where we camped out to get tickets in the front row. Similarily I am kind of undecided too, but I know I want to pursue a major in the Business field maybe Marketing or Management. I took a Business Law class my first semester and I really enjoyed, so I might want to pick up a minor in law too.

Response To Letter from Birmingham Jail:

Martin Luther King is one of the most talented and prominent orator’s in the world. His “Letter from Brimingham Jail” highlights all of his great oratory talents and skills. Martin Luther King artfully combines a rational scholarly argument with a masterfully crafted appeal to emotion and values. King describes the four steps that lead to direct action. He then explains that the steps leading to direct action have already been taken and all other avenues have been exhausted. Now the only thing that is left is direct action, which includes economic withdrawal, sit-ins, marches, and many other measures. King also artfully uses the words of poets, philosophers, and educators in an attempt to build his argument. King explains the purpose of the direct actions is to open the door for fair negotiations with the leaders of Birmingham. Most impressively King never blames the morality and values of the individuals directly, but only argues about the ills of the group. He uses Reinhold Neibuhr statement, “groups tend to be more immoral than individuals”. Later King uses the appeal to justice and morality when he talks about he talks about the victims of the hate who died at the hands of the segregation movement. Further, King incorporates his own kids and the story of the amusement park to appeal to peoples sense of right and wrong. King continues to separate the idea that of disobedience of civil law and why it is right to break laws that are immoral in the first place. Throughout the entire letter King magically weaves the strength of his argument with unchallengeable truths to create a masterful work in rhetoric. To end his letter King punctuates his argument with a metaphorical scene that lets us the reader visualize the argument and nothing can be more powerful than that.

Introduction!!!!!

Hey, my name is Kesha Mejeritski and I’m a freshman. I went to high school outside of Pittsburgh at Gateway. I was originally born in Kiev Ukraine and moved to Pittsburgh when I was 6. I enjoy many things, especially sports, I played soccer and volleyball in high school. I’m big Steelers and Penguins fan (hopefully the Steelers will win on Sunday). I’m looking to major in Marketing and minor in Law and International Business.

2/ 7/06 Your proposal response from rheamersblog

After reading your proposal, it is clear that you want to to define and support the definition of liberty by arguing about what the government takes away from us. Stick to the defnition of liberty when describing the choices taken away: health care, abortion, etc. Also, make sure not to use the words such as "most important." While "the power of choice" is very impoortant, argue its importance by definiton and not by evaluation. your proposal is written well by leaving out the words such as should, or ought to be. You state what they are doing without evaluation there. For counter arguments, you may be able to talk about the governments point of view, but not in too much detail to support it. Anyway, it seems as though you are definately on the right track by yoour claim, reasons, and thesis.