Comp 2 - Unit 1 Blog : Legalization of Marijuana

Source: http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2010/10/22/majority-of-voters-oppose-prop-19-new-poll-shows/

          

On November 2^nd, Californians will vote on the legalization of marijuana under Proposition 19. “This initiative would legalize private marijuana use for people 21 and over. It would also allow local governments to regulate and tax the drug's production and distribution” (CNN).  As good as an idea as this may seem, to cut into California’s debt crisis, I believe that this will do more harm than good.

            We should not try to make up the deficit by legalizing an illegal substance, that is attached to a history of criminals and suspect behavior. First of all, this sends the wrong message to young teens growing up, that marijuana is acceptable to use, because it would be legal. The overwhelming majority of law enforcement is opposed to this initiative because this drug is usually associated with gangs, and they do not want more drugged drivers on the road. Marijuana is legal for medicinal purposes in California, and is very easy to come by as is.   This initiative would just open the flood gate for any person over the age of 21 to use the drug recreationally. That means that the guy who drives your children’s school bus, can smoke this right up until he starts the engine. That seems like it would be a little scary.

            Unfortunately there is always money involved and main reason many people support this proposition is to earn revenue off of the taxes. So private businesses would then become the drug dealers.  Even though drug cartels profit from the selling of marijuana, the price would have to be significantly lower in the local businesses. The drug cartels would just start pushing cocaine and heroin even harder than they already do. There are plenty of other illegal substances that will most likely see an increase in use and sales. I believe that they should not give up on the drug war and keep prosecuting offenders and dealers.

Blog 4 Response: Jim Carman’s Unit 4 Blog

Source: http://jimcarman.blogspot.com/2010/10/unit-4-blog.html

This blog was interesting for me as well; I am definitely engulfed into technology with my job as a Web Content Manager. I have also taken Cisco Networking classes as well. This is some interesting information that relates to the speeds and capabilities of networks. It seems that the mobile carriers are doing everything they can to be on top of the changing technology. Every carrier is running to be the first to offer the next fastest speed. It also amazes me, how fast new technology becomes outdated and how the next big thing is just around the corner. Especially working in the technology field, it is a job to just stay caught up on the new products and tools.

Blog 4 - Big 12 Blog

Souce: http://espn.go.com/blog/big12

As a huge college football fan and huge Oklahoma Sooner’s fan, the Big 12 Blog is great source for up to date information about key college football games that are upcoming in the Big 12. This blog features live, in-game reviews of meaningful games that are being played in the conference. This blog is factual based and also offers an opinionated sequence of stories. This blog offers daily news that ties creditable information to the upcoming match ups. There are feature pictures of different college football players in the Big 12 conference that compliment the stories well. Simple video reviews and commentary add a multimedia element that is a nice addition to the blog and makes the blog more appealing and aesthetically pleasing.

The writing is worth reading here because the blog offers an inside approach into the Big 12 conference and gives readers information they might not find elsewhere. Player interviews and team quotes add legitimacy to the writings, and it gives an inside look into the team’s mindset. The writings show you what story lines to look for as the week progresses. Every week the blog will feature “Lunch Links”, which are links to other stories. This specific portion of the blog offers the reader more options for information they might be interested in. I think that this blog is set up well and the information is never stale. If you are looking for am inside look into the Big 12 conference, this blog will provide that source of entertainment for you.

Response to Beth Taylor - Unit 3 Blog Assignment: Examining logos, ethos, pathos, and kairos

I think that the Army has a great marketing strategy and you highlighted the uses of the rhetorical methods well. They Army, has the luxury of using catch phrases that can empower a person and make them feel a sense of pride and belonging. The ads can run at important times in our history and defending freedom pretty much sells itself. It’s interesting to see how far technology has come and that the Army has taken an approach that can tap into younger age groups. With the increase demand in video games that engagement can really inspire these young adults to enlist. This important time in these young adults life can definitely entice these people to join, as you said, they are just starting to decide what they want to do with their lives.

Unit 3 Blog – Rhetoric

Source: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eppXc-OOPKA

Source: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EnUKurl7Fog

In my Unit Three essay assignment I chose two Coca-Cola ads that were aired about six years apart. One of the advertisements used Coke sponsored NASCAR drivers to intrigue the audience. The other advertisement used the Simpsons cartoon characters to capture the viewer’s attention. Both of these ads used a few rhetoric methods to market the drink.

Ethos is convincing the audience that you are worth listening to, or you have authority. I think that in the first ad, the race car driver Tony Stewart is the prominent figure that is featured. Although he doesn’t actually speak much he is a respected driver and is known for a specific driving style that demands respect. People know him and can believe him even when he is acting. I didn’t see the use of ethos in the second ad featuring the Simpsons characters. There wasn’t really a main character that showed any signs of authority or credibility.

Pathos uses motivational appeals and vivid language to engage the audience to support its claims; it uses emotion to persuade the audience. I think pathos was the most frequent method used in these two ads. In the NASCAR ad, Coke used excitement, laughter and banters to pull the viewers in, and they used a comical approach to make the competition seem real and fun. The winner of the race was awarded a bottle of Coke. Tony Stewart seemed refreshed while taking a sip, which highlighted the sensory details that pathos uses. In the Simpsons ad the same type of emotions are highlighted. At first the commercial started with a sad emotion because the wealthy Mr. Burns went bankrupt and had his possessions repossessed. Apu gives Mr. Burns a coke to cheer him up and everyone is happy and partying. Happiness is highlighted at the end of the commercial when the slogan reads “open happiness”.

Logos is the method of using examples to support the position and it uses persuasive reasoning to backup the claims. Coca-Cola is trying to persuade people to drink Coke by stating that everyone who is drinks Coke is happy and full of energy. There is a consistency of joy in the messages and the examples support the actions of the drivers and characters.

Kairos is the time and space where the message will be delivered; it is the right and opportune moment. I think that these ads use kairos because the racing ad airs during a race, which can capture the audience when they are most engaged. The people in the commercial are the same people that are driving in the race they are watching. The Simpsons ad is a reflection of the recession that we are going through. Like many others, Mr. Burns is going bankrupt and losing his house and belongings. Coke takes this opportunity to relate to a large audience in this crucial time.