The "T" Word

The article I read this week was titled, "Words as Weapons-Dropping the Terrorism Bomb" from the New York Times. It talks about how since September 11th, 2001, Americans have really learned to just throw the "T" word around like it is no big deal; like it is not an extremely loaded word that once someone is accused of being a terrorist that they will probably be branded one for life. People use the word far too open, in many cases when it does not even apply. People also use it when stereotying others. We have gotten in to such a habit of labeling people that it seems like to many Americans, anyone who is Muslim, could ultimately have ties with a terrorist group. The article talked about Major Hasan who went on a shooting spree in Fort Hood, Texas. He was muslim and was labeled a terrorsit for what he did. He was Muslim. If he would have been christian, would he have been labeled a terrorsit? I doubt it. This srticle grabbed my attention because in class we have been talking a lot about 'God' and 'devil' terms. Terrorism is definitely a 'devil' word. It seems like as of lately, more and more people are using the word and pointing fingers at people. If the accusation is wrong, it could really ruin a person's reputationa and life. We must be careful when dropping the "T" bomb.

The Nude Badu

Back again for another spin on this weeks events. Many things happened in the media this week such as Ricky Martin "coming out of the closet" and actress Anna Paquin announcing that she is bisexual. Clearly this was a shock to a lot of people, well not so much concerning Ricky Martin's sexuality. But the article that I will focus on is one concerning Miss Erykah Badu at her best! lol Ms. Badu hadn't been in the media lately and what better way to gain media attention than going nude in the middle of a public place in broad daylight. Badu shot her new video in Dealey Plaza, Dallas, Tx. This is the same place where President JFK was assassinated in 1963. The song is entitled 'Window Seat'. In the video, Badu is walking down the street and undressing in front of locals. She removes her shirt revealing a tattoo that says evolving on her back. She then removes her pants and undergarments. This is evolution at its best; evolving from a fully clothed woman into a totally nude sex symbol or "symbols" if you at all catch my drift. Anyhow, Badu was recently charged with disorderly conduct by the Dallas Police Department for her "freeness". At the end of the video, after stripping totally naked, Badu falls to the ground at the hands of a gunshot. Now is it just a coincidence that she shot the video where JFK was assassinated and then she supposedly suffers the same fate in the video? I think not. Responding to criticism regarding this incident, Badu stated that she would never disrespect JFK and that his way of thinking is an inspiration to her. No wonder JFK was such a lady's man, even beyond the grave, he is inspiring women to get naked. Anyhow, I consider this whole situation to be a pseudoevent. All of this was staged to get Badu back or Badu's "Back" in mainstream media and she certainly achieved that. Nice move Badu!

Obama's Spar Over New Jobs

This article is about how President Obama and his GOP critics engaged in a war Friday over news that the economy had added 162,000 jobs in March. Obama claimed credit for a economic recovery while Republicans argued the administration has stifled stronger potential growth. Obama claims the country has successfully "turned the corner" and said "This has been a harrowing time for our country, but the worst of the storm is over." The comment that began the war was Obama stated "we cant forget the failed economic policies that got us into this mess." After this statement, Republican Chairman Michael Steele blasted the president. Michael Steele replied with, "It is unacceptable for President Obama to declare economic success when unemployment remains at 9.7 percent and a large portion of the job growth came from temporary boost in government employment." I think this war attracted a lot of media attention. I think this issue gained media attention because President Obama and Republican Michael Steele are both big political figures and it shows the power each of them have and how people believe both of their opinions about job availability in our country. They are both providing their own speech acts by expressing their opinons and conveying meaning. They are both persuading and providing reasons for how they view the job market and it is up to society to decide who to believe.

Disgruntled Democrats join the tea party

In the article Disgruntled Democrats join the Tea Party, it discusses the current effects of the health care in which Obama has recently passed. It deals with what was discussed in class as winner and losers and such a dividing between the two parties. The bill that recently passed has angered a lot of people making it a very dividing issues. Some democrats have even resorted to joining the tea party. A lot of individuals want less goverment and fear that this bill is becoming too much government in a private health care system. Even though I believe everyone has a right to their own opinion, however I do think people are overreacting to this current issue. Obama made his decision clear about wanting Universal Health care, and now people seem to be acting shocked? I think the health care system could be very beneficial to the citizens of the United States. Being a college student and approaching graduation, I could potentially be without health insurance very soon. With the recent state of the economy it could take longer than expected to find a job. The idea of this is very intimidating and makes me a firm believer that the country needs a universal health care system. I believe everyone has a right to their opinion and they all should be voiced however I think this article shows how people are not giving Obama or the bill a chance.

www.cnn.com/2010/POLITICS/04/02/democrats.tea.party/index.html

Nightclub Debt

This past week in the textbook we read about scandals. The case focused mostly on the Bill Clinton and Monica Lewinsky scandal. It discussed how the situation was handled and the ramifications of it. There was an article from USA Today online about another scandalous situation that the Republican National Committee is facing. Apparently the RNC is investigating how almost $2,000 of its campaign account was spent at an adult nightclub in Los Angeles. The article continues to explain that the charges were for food and the adult nightclub is a high-end nightclub, not a strip or sex club. The way this situation is reported by the media it makes the situation seem less serious and explains that the money is going to be reimbursed and there is nothing to worry about. The media can be seen here as the watchdog. It is keeping an eye out for the RNC by defusing the situation and reporting what they have to but keeping it not as severe as maybe it should be. This is different than how the media reported on the Clinton Lewinsky scandal. The text talks about how the media operated like an angry pack of wolves when covering the situation. I bet the RNC is happy the media is going easy on them.

Florida doctor's sign warns away Obama supporters

This article was focused on two main issues, the people who voted for Obama and on the new health care plan. I found this article on www.usatoday.com, and it talked about how a doctor posted a sign up outside his door about how all the people who voted for Obama should find another doctor to care for them. Although it is unethical and against the law to not serve an individual based on their race, religion, or gender, it doesn't necessarily says that in regards to political issues. I felt that this article was ridiculous how can you refuse not to serve someone based on them voting for Obama, because in that case it should of been a lot of people refusing serve people who vote for president Bush. What I don't understand is how can you be mad about change that will eventually end up helping the economy? I just thought this article was ridiculous and it tied in to a lot of class discussion that we discussed in class about being ethical or unethical. In my opinion I feel that it is unethical, because although he said that he would still be doctors to some of the Obama supporters if they still wanted him to be their doctor. But what I didn't like is that he basically said that he really didn't want to be Obama supporter doctors, because he feel that the health care plane is stupid. This article was very unethical, and I couldn't understand why a lot of people dislike the new health care plan.

Why Everyone Loves Joe Biden!

Newsweek’s article titled, “Say It Just So, Joe” is basically an article about bragging about Vice President Joe Biden.

While his selection as Obama’s running-mate was not as widely celebrated as Sarah Palin’s appointment as John McCain’s running-mate, the liberals still liked him. This article explains that liberals saw a few key things about Biden that they liked, including, “Biden's experience as a substantive asset in the White House, balancing out Obama's lack of experience on Capitol Hill and in international diplomacy.” Not only was he a candidate who could, “Resonate with the white working-class voters,” but now this article talks about Biden’s “thriving fan base.”

If this does not show the use of God and Devil terms, then I don’t know what does!

Just a few God terms that this article uses are: experience, substantive asset, resonate, working-class, best choice, and thriving. Using these God terms shows Biden in a very positive light and kind of makes us like him even if we didn’t beforehand.

Some Devil terms used in this article are: lack of experience, hawkish tendencies, and same old thing. These terms are used to characterize other people that this article talks about, including President Obama.

The use of these God and Devil terms are not meant to criticize Obama in any way; but by showing us how Biden can be seen as a friend to Republicans, we can see why he was a good choice as Obama’s running-mate: he could sway Republican voters. He was also the Democrat who could keep the Hillary Clinton supporters voting democrat on Election Day, whom some Republicans thought would rather vote for John McCain.