This website focuses on Chinese Immigration to the United States.
http://nhs.needham.k12.ma.us/cur/kane98/kane_p3_immig/china/china.html
The website stresses the importance of the chinese immigration in the development of America. I praise this website for the depth of knowledge it provides, as a student based website. It mentions the traditional issue of American assimilation, used in order to civilise the so-called 'uncivilised' i.e Native Americans. It mentions here that it was not possible to undertake this process due to their different language and customs, yet this later became possible due to pursuit of 'Americanization' for the immigrants. It mentions about the 'chinatowns' (Chinese Ghettos) used to segregate the Chinese in 'major cities' and 'isolated areas' It also refers to the various contributions the Chinese made in developing America as a country including the 15,000 assigned with the task of building the 'transcontinental railroad 1869'. The immigration Act of 1964, opening the doors of opportunity for Chinese immigrants.
The website rather identifies the 'Chinese Americans' as a representation of Asian Americans. It somewhat overlooks the contributions of Japanese and Korean Americans to the country, it is also quite long-winded for students, yet there are pictures and a bibliography for reference.
Thursday, 25 February 2010
The Irish-American Experience
This website gives an overview to the experience of Irish citizens coming over to America from 1700 to 1930. Further down the page there set pieces of work for students to complete, making sure the information set out is being retained. Some of this work is done in groups, allowing a more free flowing of ideas, or questions that might not be asked when work is done alone. It seems a good way to teach the children about a people's that used to comprise the largest influx group, and even today many Americans still relate to that heritage, falsely or otherwise.There is a lot of information to be found, and lots of colour and links to pictures ma
kes the topic far less daunting for a younger audience."Students will understand the collective experience of the Irish in early America and make connections between the reasons for leaving homelands and the treatment of Irish immigrants then and recent immigrants now."
Tuesday, 23 February 2010
Immigration
http://www.smfc.k12.ca.us/stage/lalosh/index.html
This website is a 5th Grade project (10-11 years old). Their introduction mentions the ‘melting pot’ of America and emphasises the fact that everyone in the US has an immigrant background from some point in history. They have focused on several countries, giving a little bit of the history and background of why people left for America. There is also some information about the hardship of the journey and the arrival at Ellis Island. The reason I chose this site was the contact that this school has with the Bridge program – the children meet with other children of recent immigrants and talk to them about their experiences of arriving in a new country and also help them with their English.
Whilst the project is a very watered down version of immigration history, it does give the children a basic idea that it wasn’t easy for those arriving in America. Their contact with the immigrant children would help their understanding of the problems faced by those arriving today – a lot of these not dissimilar to those experienced throughout history.
This website is a 5th Grade project (10-11 years old). Their introduction mentions the ‘melting pot’ of America and emphasises the fact that everyone in the US has an immigrant background from some point in history. They have focused on several countries, giving a little bit of the history and background of why people left for America. There is also some information about the hardship of the journey and the arrival at Ellis Island. The reason I chose this site was the contact that this school has with the Bridge program – the children meet with other children of recent immigrants and talk to them about their experiences of arriving in a new country and also help them with their English.
Whilst the project is a very watered down version of immigration history, it does give the children a basic idea that it wasn’t easy for those arriving in America. Their contact with the immigrant children would help their understanding of the problems faced by those arriving today – a lot of these not dissimilar to those experienced throughout history.
Thursday, 18 February 2010
women through the ages
image 1
My first image is Glenn Close playing the role of Teddy Barnes in the 1985 film Jagged Edge. Glenn Close in the film plays a lawyer who is hired by a man to prove his innocence in the murder of his wife. Her character, Teddy Barnes, seems to depict exactly the "power woman" image that women had in the 80s. However, Barnes is not a woman who both has the career AND the family, indeed she is divorced (and ends up have a relation with her client). She is not seen as a dangerous, psychotic woman, unlike Close's part in Fatal Attraction. Her only flaw is probably to have slept with her client.
So, even though she is not a family and career typical 80s power woman, she still has a good career as a lawyer.
image2
My second image comes from the american tv show Gilmore Girls. The picture shows Lorelai Gilmore (played by Lauren Graham) and her daughter Rory (portrayed by Alexis Bledel). Lorelai Gilmore is a single mother (she got pregnant at 16, left her house, found a job as a maid) who is a good example of a woman who has both, a career and a family. Indeed, from her job as a maid, she worked her way to the top and owns her own inn. She is happy with both and the only thing probably missing from her life is a steady relationship (throughout the 7 series, we do see different men coming and going). Compared to the power women from the 80s, it feels like Lorelai is nearly softer in her character. In the 80s, you had Sarah Connor (Terminator) as your single mother, a very different image in 2000. Also, it would seem that Lorelai doesn't have a "typical" power job. You do not see many Inn owners in films and series, and I do not recall a film from the 80s that pictures such a character. In the 80s, it's nearly as if they are trying to accent the power of the woman through her job : lawyer, editor, novelist and what not. Yet, she is still her own boss and completely independent.
My first image is Glenn Close playing the role of Teddy Barnes in the 1985 film Jagged Edge. Glenn Close in the film plays a lawyer who is hired by a man to prove his innocence in the murder of his wife. Her character, Teddy Barnes, seems to depict exactly the "power woman" image that women had in the 80s. However, Barnes is not a woman who both has the career AND the family, indeed she is divorced (and ends up have a relation with her client). She is not seen as a dangerous, psychotic woman, unlike Close's part in Fatal Attraction. Her only flaw is probably to have slept with her client.
So, even though she is not a family and career typical 80s power woman, she still has a good career as a lawyer.
image2
My second image comes from the american tv show Gilmore Girls. The picture shows Lorelai Gilmore (played by Lauren Graham) and her daughter Rory (portrayed by Alexis Bledel). Lorelai Gilmore is a single mother (she got pregnant at 16, left her house, found a job as a maid) who is a good example of a woman who has both, a career and a family. Indeed, from her job as a maid, she worked her way to the top and owns her own inn. She is happy with both and the only thing probably missing from her life is a steady relationship (throughout the 7 series, we do see different men coming and going). Compared to the power women from the 80s, it feels like Lorelai is nearly softer in her character. In the 80s, you had Sarah Connor (Terminator) as your single mother, a very different image in 2000. Also, it would seem that Lorelai doesn't have a "typical" power job. You do not see many Inn owners in films and series, and I do not recall a film from the 80s that pictures such a character. In the 80s, it's nearly as if they are trying to accent the power of the woman through her job : lawyer, editor, novelist and what not. Yet, she is still her own boss and completely independent.
Wednesday, 17 February 2010
http://www.ellecanada.com/home/fashion/lights-camera-fashion/a/28965/4
The first picture is a scene from the film, Working Girl from 1988 showing Melanie Griffith in her power suit. This image is a good representation of the woman trying to make her way to the boardroom – the padded shoulders and the masculine cut of the suit which gives the feeling that women have to have a slightly less feminine look in order to be taken seriously. The film is all about breaking out of the stereotypical view of the woman as the secretary rather than the boss.
http://www.usnews.com/opinion/blogs/jodie-allen/2010/01/07/working-women-ascendant--but-ambivalent
The second piece is an article on the US News website which has the results of a poll on people’s attitude to working women. What I found interesting was that 62% of the women polled would prefer to work part time. It seems that despite fighting for the right to ‘have it all’, many women don’t really want it all. The survey also shows that by a ratio of two to one, Americans think that men have a better life than women and women support this view, according to the survey.
The first picture is a scene from the film, Working Girl from 1988 showing Melanie Griffith in her power suit. This image is a good representation of the woman trying to make her way to the boardroom – the padded shoulders and the masculine cut of the suit which gives the feeling that women have to have a slightly less feminine look in order to be taken seriously. The film is all about breaking out of the stereotypical view of the woman as the secretary rather than the boss.
http://www.usnews.com/opinion/blogs/jodie-allen/2010/01/07/working-women-ascendant--but-ambivalent
The second piece is an article on the US News website which has the results of a poll on people’s attitude to working women. What I found interesting was that 62% of the women polled would prefer to work part time. It seems that despite fighting for the right to ‘have it all’, many women don’t really want it all. The survey also shows that by a ratio of two to one, Americans think that men have a better life than women and women support this view, according to the survey.
Tuesday, 16 February 2010
Representations of Women
http://sbccfilmreviews.org/?p=6569
My first website depicts the representation of women in 1980s American film. It addresses the movement in feminism and how it brought 'action' to the screen.
It lists examples of films, that depict the female character as the strong character. Genres such as action and science fiction films: Aliens (1986) depicting the character of Ellen Ripley (played by Sigourney Weaver), who as from her previous films, proves to be the dominent character. In 80's cinema, the independant woman is the lead character, a female audience 'no longer wants to see the traditional female protagonist who is passive and hysterical in the face of attack'. The independant female character in the 80s is 'the worker', 'the decision maker'.
http://dominantroles.blogspot.com/
My second website is an essay that looks at portrayal and representation of women in action films, particularly referring to Laura Mulvey's theory of male objectification and voyeurism of women. The question is: does this still apply today? The author looks at years of female objectification in films throughout early parts of this century such as 'Rear Window' (1954). Yet in present day, the author concludes that female characters have become stronger; films such as Kill Bill vol 2 (2004) depict a female character hunting down her (ex-boss) male character. Women in present day have become 'less apparent as the subject of the male gaze'.
My first website depicts the representation of women in 1980s American film. It addresses the movement in feminism and how it brought 'action' to the screen.
It lists examples of films, that depict the female character as the strong character. Genres such as action and science fiction films: Aliens (1986) depicting the character of Ellen Ripley (played by Sigourney Weaver), who as from her previous films, proves to be the dominent character. In 80's cinema, the independant woman is the lead character, a female audience 'no longer wants to see the traditional female protagonist who is passive and hysterical in the face of attack'. The independant female character in the 80s is 'the worker', 'the decision maker'.
http://dominantroles.blogspot.com/
My second website is an essay that looks at portrayal and representation of women in action films, particularly referring to Laura Mulvey's theory of male objectification and voyeurism of women. The question is: does this still apply today? The author looks at years of female objectification in films throughout early parts of this century such as 'Rear Window' (1954). Yet in present day, the author concludes that female characters have become stronger; films such as Kill Bill vol 2 (2004) depict a female character hunting down her (ex-boss) male character. Women in present day have become 'less apparent as the subject of the male gaze'.
Thursday, 11 February 2010
American Masculinity
I have chosen Esquire Magazine, as I think it shows well the way in which masculinity has been forced into a few select niches. This could be explained by the increase, all be it right, of women into what was customly male dominated areas. These include the workplace, but now expands into sports, such as American Football. The magazine includes sections named 'Women We Love Gallery' and 'The Best Bars in America'. These could easily be classed as typical masculine areas and the magazine is heavily based around it. There is a link titled 'Women', which for a moment I believed to be a women's section, but found it to be a page in which the male reader is told various ways to woe and charm current and prospective women.
It is this notion that a man must be told where to go and what to do which is also changing the field. For me, what is seen as a women’s magazine transposed into a man orientated read fails to grab my attention. What masculinity means is changing, and ultimately the crossover of women moving into male roles, as well as biological advancements such as stem cell research, could lead to the male role, and even the form, lost completely.
Tuesday, 9 February 2010
American Masculinity
The website I have chosen is Men Can Stop Rape www.mencanstoprape.org
This is an organisation working to get men to use their strength to create a culture free from violence – particularly men’s violence against women. They say they are trying to redefine masculinity – to encourage men to use their strength in more positive ways. The program is aimed at younger men (particularly college students).
This organisation seem to be challenging the very traditional views of masculinity and asking men to rethink their relationships with women but there is limited information to see how they are doing this. If the work they do can reduce the amount of violence against women then that can only be a good thing but it will be a difficult thing to change the long held view of many men that it is not ‘manly’ to discuss feelings – especially with other men.
This is an organisation working to get men to use their strength to create a culture free from violence – particularly men’s violence against women. They say they are trying to redefine masculinity – to encourage men to use their strength in more positive ways. The program is aimed at younger men (particularly college students).
This organisation seem to be challenging the very traditional views of masculinity and asking men to rethink their relationships with women but there is limited information to see how they are doing this. If the work they do can reduce the amount of violence against women then that can only be a good thing but it will be a difficult thing to change the long held view of many men that it is not ‘manly’ to discuss feelings – especially with other men.
American Masculinity and The World's Strongest Man
http://www.theworldsstrongestman.com/mariusz_pudzianowski.php
My chosen site in representing American masculinity is an interview with previous World Strongest man champion Mariusz Pudzianowski. As the interview suggests; the sense of masculinity comes from the idea of being the best at your profession, particularly in being strong and muscular. Mariusz Pudzienowski identifies himself as the 'real man'; the idea of success, power and work. He is asked of the advice he would give to someone who wants to become a strongman in which he answers: 'train hard, eat and train', reinforcing the notions of work ethic and eating (like a man). Mariusz is naturally competitive and possesses a certain arrogance associated with masculinity as he doesn't seem to admire any other strongmen apart from 'himself'. He has an interest in expensive and fast cars as he drives a 'hummer' and 'mercedes'. Fundamentally bodybuilding represents the essence of masculinity, this idea is proven in the interview; he is Americanized in that sense, despite his Polish heritage, he is taking part in a sport that has been popularized in America as the peak of manliness.
My chosen site in representing American masculinity is an interview with previous World Strongest man champion Mariusz Pudzianowski. As the interview suggests; the sense of masculinity comes from the idea of being the best at your profession, particularly in being strong and muscular. Mariusz Pudzienowski identifies himself as the 'real man'; the idea of success, power and work. He is asked of the advice he would give to someone who wants to become a strongman in which he answers: 'train hard, eat and train', reinforcing the notions of work ethic and eating (like a man). Mariusz is naturally competitive and possesses a certain arrogance associated with masculinity as he doesn't seem to admire any other strongmen apart from 'himself'. He has an interest in expensive and fast cars as he drives a 'hummer' and 'mercedes'. Fundamentally bodybuilding represents the essence of masculinity, this idea is proven in the interview; he is Americanized in that sense, despite his Polish heritage, he is taking part in a sport that has been popularized in America as the peak of manliness.
Small Groups
Hi
Just to let you know our group will meet on Fridays 10-11 in SEB2 (ground level of St Edburga). Looking forward to seeing you there.
Denise
Just to let you know our group will meet on Fridays 10-11 in SEB2 (ground level of St Edburga). Looking forward to seeing you there.
Denise
Sunday, 7 February 2010
Wednesday, 9 December 2009
The iPhone
One of the great things about the iPhone is that there's an application for practically everything. From reading restaurant reviews, to reading books. Yep, there's an app for that.
The aim of this advert is to convince the customers that there's an application downloadable onto the iPhone allowing you to do practically anything. 'Why would you want to read an MRI on your phone?' I hear you ask. Well, y'know, just in case... And now, with the phone that can do everything, you don't need to have anything else with you. Ever. This device, once just a means of communication, has now become a place to play games, read books, browse the web, listen to music, take photos. Anything and everything you might want.
Well, that's the theory anyway. By adding more and more applications to the iPhone, Apple are increasingly succeeding in making it the new 'must-have' gadget. It is no longer about the phone itself for a lot of people, but the modern lifestyle which owning it implies. It's cool to own one of these, because they're shiny and have a touchscreen.
The aim of this advert is to convince the customers that there's an application downloadable onto the iPhone allowing you to do practically anything. 'Why would you want to read an MRI on your phone?' I hear you ask. Well, y'know, just in case... And now, with the phone that can do everything, you don't need to have anything else with you. Ever. This device, once just a means of communication, has now become a place to play games, read books, browse the web, listen to music, take photos. Anything and everything you might want.
Well, that's the theory anyway. By adding more and more applications to the iPhone, Apple are increasingly succeeding in making it the new 'must-have' gadget. It is no longer about the phone itself for a lot of people, but the modern lifestyle which owning it implies. It's cool to own one of these, because they're shiny and have a touchscreen.
Tuesday, 8 December 2009
Budweiser
The video I chose is an advert for Budweiser. The youtube video gives the top 10 of 2008's Super Bowl, the actual advert I am talking about is number 8.
Now I chose this particular one because, although it does not feature a human figure as the centre of attention, it is a clear mention (to me) of the American Dream and can nearly be drawn back to the "Alger Complex" that I talked about in my presentation on Gabriel.
It clearly shows that people are still stuck on this idea of an American Dream, that working hard will get you somewhere and that success is possible. The advert is basically a horse that can't take part in whatever the other horses are doing, so a dog decides to train the horse. And one year later, the horse is included in the team that rejected it the previous year.
To add to the appeal of the advert, it includes some "funny" elements like the horse and the dog, theme music from Rocky, etc ... so that the public can be amused. But behind this is the image of an America that can work towards its goals. And probably there is also the message that by drinking Budweiser, your dreams can be reached more easily. So, yes, I really do think that this advert just reaches out to the heart of every american by promoting this image of success and achievements through labour and by saying that it is possible. It also promotes this nice image of America outside the country itself, maybe to some close neighbors.
the lincoln mkz 2009
This advert for the Lincoln MKZ 2010 puts forward an image of car of the future. It gives the impression that the car can do almost anything. It can go into space and so it can fly, whilst never saying that it can. The overal impression is one of near instructability and ferocious speed because of the streamline design of the car. It can survive what looks to be WARP speed, and still look like it has just stepped out of the dealership. A car of comfort as it has leather seats and polished wood interiors, with its own form of intelligence. It really seems to be a car that is made for luxury and speed, with a body and fittings that will transport it into the future of american cars and possible further.
The music is also as suggestive as the visual of the advert as it says to you that the car can take off into space, throwing out all concerns that the command post may have because it is such a magnificent piece of machinery that nothing can possibly go wrong.
However, the first thing that popped into my mind when I saw this advert was "space the final frontier." I was actually expecting either William Shatner or Leonard Nimoy to step out of the car, or atleast their modern counter-parts.
The music is very futuristix with its slight techno bass soundings. The voice is that of what is usually in a cartoon about space when the hero goes into an extremely fun series of stunts and plays around.
To me the music seems to make fun of the car a little. As I immediately linked it to a cartoon I felt that the idea and impression that was being pushed across was hard to believe. Cartoons are near impossibilities, so how can the car be what the advert is selling. Although I know that the advert doesnt directly say that this is what you would get if you spent $40,000 on this car. That would be illegal, especially if it wasnt delivered. No matter I still believe what they are trying to put across is not true. Although the car was very pretty and sleek with a computer inside. So are many cars nowadays that dat back to 2004, what makes this slightly shiny and expensive one so good? I suppose that is what the advert is for, to make it special. It just wasnt believable. It just screams expense.
Who wants the next new toy?
Not Me!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q8YUMgVtYiU
The music is also as suggestive as the visual of the advert as it says to you that the car can take off into space, throwing out all concerns that the command post may have because it is such a magnificent piece of machinery that nothing can possibly go wrong.
However, the first thing that popped into my mind when I saw this advert was "space the final frontier." I was actually expecting either William Shatner or Leonard Nimoy to step out of the car, or atleast their modern counter-parts.
The music is very futuristix with its slight techno bass soundings. The voice is that of what is usually in a cartoon about space when the hero goes into an extremely fun series of stunts and plays around.
To me the music seems to make fun of the car a little. As I immediately linked it to a cartoon I felt that the idea and impression that was being pushed across was hard to believe. Cartoons are near impossibilities, so how can the car be what the advert is selling. Although I know that the advert doesnt directly say that this is what you would get if you spent $40,000 on this car. That would be illegal, especially if it wasnt delivered. No matter I still believe what they are trying to put across is not true. Although the car was very pretty and sleek with a computer inside. So are many cars nowadays that dat back to 2004, what makes this slightly shiny and expensive one so good? I suppose that is what the advert is for, to make it special. It just wasnt believable. It just screams expense.
Who wants the next new toy?
Not Me!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q8YUMgVtYiU
The item I have chosen is the mobile phone – the advert is from HTC.com advertising their touch screen phones. The phones themselves are not shown until the final few seconds of the advert. The shots are taken from the phone looking at the people using them. The voiceover says that your phone is the one thing you have with you all the time and has the catchy line “ You don’t need to get a phone, you need a phone that gets you”.
For something that is just a simple means of communication, the mobile has become a status symbol, with ever more technological advances such as internet access making it an essential item. The emphasis here is on the individualistic qualities of the phone – you can make it work just for you, although of course, millions of other people have the same phone! It seems a little like a comfort blanket, the thought that you can’t really be complete without your phone within easy reach. An up to date mobile phone is an important symbol today, its value goes beyond its monetary costs- another way for some people to make judgements about others.
For something that is just a simple means of communication, the mobile has become a status symbol, with ever more technological advances such as internet access making it an essential item. The emphasis here is on the individualistic qualities of the phone – you can make it work just for you, although of course, millions of other people have the same phone! It seems a little like a comfort blanket, the thought that you can’t really be complete without your phone within easy reach. An up to date mobile phone is an important symbol today, its value goes beyond its monetary costs- another way for some people to make judgements about others.
Coca-Cola for the Consumer
My chosen commercial for consumer culture is a Coca-Cola ad broadcasted in April 1965.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MUblFVVxzZg
We may look at this ad and laugh at how dated and ludicrous it is, but like many adverts today its main objective is to get the consumer to buy the product. The ad is given youthful value, as most of the people it shows carrying and drinking the coke are young, with the kind youthful energy associated with 60s liberalism. The advert draws coke away from the idea that its a 'soft drink' adding to that idea of youthfulness. After drinking the coke, the guy does a backflip, emphasizing the youthful vigour coke can apply to the individual: 'Coke lifts you're spirits, boosts your energy!' The message at the end of the ad: 'Take more than one coke' targeted at making profit, a shrewd marketing strategy.
The underlying value applied to coke even from early on is the general idea that coke is refreshing as shown with this vintage 1930s ad: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8uK7wMMjYos The idea that coke will quench your thirst, during a hard day at work, a key cultural aspect of a developing America.
To this day; coke has become an item of symbolic value in its influence on American culture. Today, the coke ad is associated with the image of Santa Claus, as we approach Christmas. Coca-Cola has become an international commodity; since being invented by John Pemberton in 1885 it has gone on to become the world's leading soft drink.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MUblFVVxzZg
We may look at this ad and laugh at how dated and ludicrous it is, but like many adverts today its main objective is to get the consumer to buy the product. The ad is given youthful value, as most of the people it shows carrying and drinking the coke are young, with the kind youthful energy associated with 60s liberalism. The advert draws coke away from the idea that its a 'soft drink' adding to that idea of youthfulness. After drinking the coke, the guy does a backflip, emphasizing the youthful vigour coke can apply to the individual: 'Coke lifts you're spirits, boosts your energy!' The message at the end of the ad: 'Take more than one coke' targeted at making profit, a shrewd marketing strategy.
The underlying value applied to coke even from early on is the general idea that coke is refreshing as shown with this vintage 1930s ad: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8uK7wMMjYos The idea that coke will quench your thirst, during a hard day at work, a key cultural aspect of a developing America.
To this day; coke has become an item of symbolic value in its influence on American culture. Today, the coke ad is associated with the image of Santa Claus, as we approach Christmas. Coca-Cola has become an international commodity; since being invented by John Pemberton in 1885 it has gone on to become the world's leading soft drink.
Wednesday, 25 November 2009
The Obama Healthcare Reforms
Obama Backs Healthcare Reform
This website is supportive of Obama's healthcare reforms, and suggests that all American people having access to some form of healthcare is a good thing. It helps to put some figures and facts forward, arguing that the healthcare reforms would be beneficial to the American public and lower the average person's cost of healthcare. It also discusses some of the other factors involved, for example, Obama's plan for business emplyers to offer all their staff health cover as standard. It also praises Obama's appointment of Tom Daschle as the leader of the White House Office of Health Reform.
This article from the Washington Post suggests that while healthcare reform in general isn't a bad thing, the way that Obama has planned to do it is not the right way forward. The author of this article argues that the aims of the plan are not realistic, and it will not succeed. He believes that increased taxing on the high-income band of people would significantly change the behaviour of these individuals so that their taxable income would shrink, thus resulting in a decrease of revenue for the Government. This means that the increased cost would then pass to the middle-class.
He also argues that if the proposed plan goes forward, then research into medical science will be discouraged because it would mean a higher cost for the Government, and while everybody may want healthcare to be cheaper, I'm sure everybody also wants healthcare to carry on becoming more and more technologically advanced.
This website is supportive of Obama's healthcare reforms, and suggests that all American people having access to some form of healthcare is a good thing. It helps to put some figures and facts forward, arguing that the healthcare reforms would be beneficial to the American public and lower the average person's cost of healthcare. It also discusses some of the other factors involved, for example, Obama's plan for business emplyers to offer all their staff health cover as standard. It also praises Obama's appointment of Tom Daschle as the leader of the White House Office of Health Reform.
This article from the Washington Post suggests that while healthcare reform in general isn't a bad thing, the way that Obama has planned to do it is not the right way forward. The author of this article argues that the aims of the plan are not realistic, and it will not succeed. He believes that increased taxing on the high-income band of people would significantly change the behaviour of these individuals so that their taxable income would shrink, thus resulting in a decrease of revenue for the Government. This means that the increased cost would then pass to the middle-class.
He also argues that if the proposed plan goes forward, then research into medical science will be discouraged because it would mean a higher cost for the Government, and while everybody may want healthcare to be cheaper, I'm sure everybody also wants healthcare to carry on becoming more and more technologically advanced.
Tuesday, 24 November 2009
Health Care
Article that explains the benefits of healthcare.
This article comes from the Opinion section of the New York Times online. Reading this only makes me wonder even more why people in the US are so scared of having a socialized form of health care. As the author is saying, having a national health care will not only be beneficial to the people who don't have insurance, but it will also be beneficial to people that have it. The Obama health care plan not only wants to provide people that don't have insurance with health care, but it also wants to prevent the abuses of the big insurance companies, thus offering better security and stability for the people who are covered and pay. Obama aims to stabilize the health cost and try to lower down the amounts that private insurance companies make their customers pay. And by using the money more efficiently, like the bill plans to, money will be saved, something quite positive in these days of recession. Insurance companies will finally be exposed and won't be able to scam people anymore !! Unfortunately, it seems that only a few americans have read the proposal (I'm sure they just like to moan and protest but haven't exactly read what they are fighting against ...).
Reading this article made me happy and angry at the same time. Happy because it proves that some people know what is going about and by writing about the facts (the facts of the bill, after that we never know what will happen, we can only assume) other people can read about that and be informed correctly. This made me angry, because even though some people are sensible enough to understand the immense benefits that this health care reform would bring to America, a lot of people still think that the government is working against them and will make them pay and take away their liberty by imposing which practician you will have to see (which is untrue, but again a lot of people just listen to Glenn Beck and others and take their word as the truth). Well ... now we are off to the second website.
This article from the Washington Post interviewing Megan McArdle (Megan is a blogger for the Atlantic Monthly blog, there is a little intro about her and what she writes about and used to write about). Now, Megan McArdle is not against health care per se, but she does not agree with Obama's health care plan and says that it isn't going to change much on the situation. She agrees that the current health care system is flawed, but argues that it is not as flawed as some might believe. She argues that not that many people are uninsured and that anyway, most uninsured are illegal immigrants and that the Obama reform won't take care of them, so that situation won't change.
And when confronted to the question of fairness (is it fair that not everyone has access to health care and is it fair that some people will have to pay so that other people that are not taking proper care of themselves so that they can have medical attention), she just argued that the system is never fair.
She is against Obama's health care plan as she sees it as bad for the economy and using money that could be injected elsewhere in society. But she does admit that health care in America is very expensive and that they do spend more money on it than other countries, but her explanation of that spending is that America is richer than other countries, thus it can spend more money on health care.
This woman seems very intelligent and cultivated, yet sometimes her arguments were a bit ... unsatisfying ? And her argument about the expenses in comparison to other countries is just sad and ridiculous. Because frankly, it doesn't mean anything !! Her arguments definitely did not convince me into thinking that the health care reform was a bad thing, but at least she seemed to be using coherent arguments (most of the time, not for all the questions) to back up her position and her position is not in favor of the current health care (though she's not completely against it), she just doesn't think that what Obama is proposing is the solution America needs. The journalist interviewing her made me smile, as it was definitely someone that had a very poor opinion of the current health care system. I was loosing faith in Americans when it came to questioning the health care system, but now I have faith again. People out there write about it, have a real opinion about it and can deliver actual, real arguments.
Week 9 Tutorial.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/8160058.stm
This is a useful web page for reviewing the general summary of the health care reform package and associated issues.
It contains facts, comment and some relevant blogs on the debate. Worth reading through the details.
On Wednesday, one task for us to consider is the presentations for Week 10 - who does what etc. Give it some thought before we meet.
Good wishes,
John.
This is a useful web page for reviewing the general summary of the health care reform package and associated issues.
It contains facts, comment and some relevant blogs on the debate. Worth reading through the details.
On Wednesday, one task for us to consider is the presentations for Week 10 - who does what etc. Give it some thought before we meet.
Good wishes,
John.
Healthcare reforms
http://www.healhealthcarenow.org/
This first website supports the healthcare reforms. It is made by healhealthcarenow.org which supports 450,000 doctors. The message from the video is that the reforms will focus much more on preventative medicine – keeping Americans healthy instead of waiting until they are sick and then trying to make them better. The doctors who speak are clear that this is an important issue, along with ensuring that it is easier to get health insurance for everybody.
http://www.cprights.org/
The second website is Conservatives for Patients Rights. The man behind this is Rick Scott, a former hospital CEO who lost his job following a major scandal involving fraud against Medicare and Medicaid. This website has interviews with English and Canadian patients who don’t like their government run health systems. It is hardly surprising to find this view from an organisation so deeply involved with the current healthcare system. These are the people who have the most to lose from the healthcare reforms.
It is difficult to be impartial in this issue - the NHS isnt perfect! Despite that, the first website with its sensible, logical arguments was more convincing. It is clear that preventative treatment would go a long way to improving the general health of Americans and the reforms may remove some of the stranglehold of the insurance companies.
This first website supports the healthcare reforms. It is made by healhealthcarenow.org which supports 450,000 doctors. The message from the video is that the reforms will focus much more on preventative medicine – keeping Americans healthy instead of waiting until they are sick and then trying to make them better. The doctors who speak are clear that this is an important issue, along with ensuring that it is easier to get health insurance for everybody.
http://www.cprights.org/
The second website is Conservatives for Patients Rights. The man behind this is Rick Scott, a former hospital CEO who lost his job following a major scandal involving fraud against Medicare and Medicaid. This website has interviews with English and Canadian patients who don’t like their government run health systems. It is hardly surprising to find this view from an organisation so deeply involved with the current healthcare system. These are the people who have the most to lose from the healthcare reforms.
It is difficult to be impartial in this issue - the NHS isnt perfect! Despite that, the first website with its sensible, logical arguments was more convincing. It is clear that preventative treatment would go a long way to improving the general health of Americans and the reforms may remove some of the stranglehold of the insurance companies.
Anti and Pro Obama Health Care plan
My first article 'Obama's health-care plan: What it means for you' addresses the issues of Obama's new health care plan.
http://www.smartmoney.com/personal-finance/health-care/obamas-health-care-plan-what-it-means-for-you/
The article predominantly addresses the financial reasons for opposing Obama's plan and how it will be the 'consumers who end up paying the price' for treatment. The focus is very much from the perspespectives of the doctors and health-care providers and how lower pay towards hospitals as a result of Obama's plan will eventually lead to very few hospitals being able to provide treatment for patients. As a result those patients will have to travel further to find the next available hospital.
Although the article is persuasive in the way it addresses the reader directly hence the use of 'you'; it is rather limited in its perspective and doesn't admit the problems in the health-care system prior to the plans and neither does it suggest a better alternative.
My next article is pro Obama health care plan.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB122152292213639569.html
It emphasizes on why 'Obama's Health plan is better'. It lists 5 ways in which Obama's plan will lead to a 'more efficient medical system'. 1. Learning. For better quality treatment. 2. Rewarding. For doctors based on the help they give to patients. 3. Pooling. 4. Preventing. Freer access to preventive services maintaining health and saving money. 5. Covering. Lowering health care costs making insurance affordable.
Although the article is predominantly democratic in continually attacking John McCain being a 'prior to the election' article. It is convincing in highlighting the potential for health care improvement.
http://www.smartmoney.com/personal-finance/health-care/obamas-health-care-plan-what-it-means-for-you/
The article predominantly addresses the financial reasons for opposing Obama's plan and how it will be the 'consumers who end up paying the price' for treatment. The focus is very much from the perspespectives of the doctors and health-care providers and how lower pay towards hospitals as a result of Obama's plan will eventually lead to very few hospitals being able to provide treatment for patients. As a result those patients will have to travel further to find the next available hospital.
Although the article is persuasive in the way it addresses the reader directly hence the use of 'you'; it is rather limited in its perspective and doesn't admit the problems in the health-care system prior to the plans and neither does it suggest a better alternative.
My next article is pro Obama health care plan.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB122152292213639569.html
It emphasizes on why 'Obama's Health plan is better'. It lists 5 ways in which Obama's plan will lead to a 'more efficient medical system'. 1. Learning. For better quality treatment. 2. Rewarding. For doctors based on the help they give to patients. 3. Pooling. 4. Preventing. Freer access to preventive services maintaining health and saving money. 5. Covering. Lowering health care costs making insurance affordable.
Although the article is predominantly democratic in continually attacking John McCain being a 'prior to the election' article. It is convincing in highlighting the potential for health care improvement.
anti obama pro obama - the healthcare issue
http://www.antiobama.net/health_care/
wow the person who is in charge of this website is very anti-Obama. The site sells socialist stickers with Obamas face as the joker. The argument is extremely one sided, obviously, however, it doesnt seem to recognise the failures of their system. Within the article the author states that maybe they should just move to Canada, but o wait that has a universal healthcare program thats a mess. one of the main arguments against the healthcare bill is the increase in taxes on those who earn more than $200,000 per annum. for a country that was created out of the debate over taxes, the increase in taxes would push many over the limit. as it seems to be doing here. however, what the site does not seem to comprehend is the figures of those not treated properly because of the privatisation of health insurance. insurance is for profit.
on the pro obama healthcare side is http://www.healthinsurancerates.com/6-why-barack-obamas-health-care-plan-will-work.html
it seems to be a website that shows more of the facts behind the politics in a way that is easier for the common people to understand.
It explains that private coverage is still allowed, but there is a coverage that allows all to be treated beyond emergency treatment. children especially.
wow the person who is in charge of this website is very anti-Obama. The site sells socialist stickers with Obamas face as the joker. The argument is extremely one sided, obviously, however, it doesnt seem to recognise the failures of their system. Within the article the author states that maybe they should just move to Canada, but o wait that has a universal healthcare program thats a mess. one of the main arguments against the healthcare bill is the increase in taxes on those who earn more than $200,000 per annum. for a country that was created out of the debate over taxes, the increase in taxes would push many over the limit. as it seems to be doing here. however, what the site does not seem to comprehend is the figures of those not treated properly because of the privatisation of health insurance. insurance is for profit.
on the pro obama healthcare side is http://www.healthinsurancerates.com/6-why-barack-obamas-health-care-plan-will-work.html
it seems to be a website that shows more of the facts behind the politics in a way that is easier for the common people to understand.
It explains that private coverage is still allowed, but there is a coverage that allows all to be treated beyond emergency treatment. children especially.
Wednesday, 18 November 2009
He's Barack Obama
I found a video on youtube and sent it to Alasdair and he told me it would be a good idea to post it on the blog. On Monday, we watched a couple of videos that reflected the way Americans viewed Obama (including Glenn Beck's view of Obama ...). This video is a satire of the way some people see Obama and his role as a president, depicting
him as some kind of superhero who could save the world when, in fact, he is only a man and a president with restricted power.
him as some kind of superhero who could save the world when, in fact, he is only a man and a president with restricted power.
Glenn Beck on Healthcare
Glenn Beck is of the opinion that the new healthcare reforms are a very bad idea, and that the best thing for America is to continue with the private healthcare system it's had in the past.
In this video clip he talks about the healthcare system in Norway, and how he believes it doesn't work. He puts the blame on this healthcare system for the high prices of petrol, alcohol and new cars in Norway, and asks his listeners whether they would rather pay for each one-off trip to the doctors, or pay $20,000 more for a new car.
However, in this next video we get an insight into the mind of Glenn Beck when he is pressured on his views from a listener.
After listening to this, I find it hard to understand how he has become one of the country's leading political pundits on todays important topics, and how so many people like him.
For more of Glenn Beck's views on todays important political topics, and links to some of his interviews etc, his website is The Glenn Beck Program
In this video clip he talks about the healthcare system in Norway, and how he believes it doesn't work. He puts the blame on this healthcare system for the high prices of petrol, alcohol and new cars in Norway, and asks his listeners whether they would rather pay for each one-off trip to the doctors, or pay $20,000 more for a new car.
However, in this next video we get an insight into the mind of Glenn Beck when he is pressured on his views from a listener.
After listening to this, I find it hard to understand how he has become one of the country's leading political pundits on todays important topics, and how so many people like him.
For more of Glenn Beck's views on todays important political topics, and links to some of his interviews etc, his website is The Glenn Beck Program
Tuesday, 17 November 2009
Glenn Beck and extremism
Glenn Beck, has, unfortunately, a youtube channel (meaning more people can have access to his ideas). This is however useful when seeking to find his point of view on certain matters. I was browsing through his channel and found a short video called "When is an extremist not an extremist ?" and I watched it and decided to do my post on this. I know that the subject of the blog post was supposed to be about a current political affair, but tea-baggers (they need a new name !) and extremism was still interesting, I hope I don't go too far away from the political scene.
Tea-baggers, as they call themselves, are very much against Obama and feel that he is robbing them from their freedom. Their name is quite evocative of their ideas, in my opinion. Even though they are not a political issue per se, they are still on the political scene for the moment. And the video is not so much about them but about who is called extremist in the Country. Indeed, Glenn Beck jumps at Obama's throat accusing him to call simple protestors extremists whilst not labeling Hasan, murderer of 13 people, with such a term.
Glenn Beck, I am sure of it, would jump on any occasion to criticize Obama and this was just another excuse ! He also manages to mention the gun situation in his 4 minutes of talk. Now, it may be my way of seeing things, but in his mention of guns, I could clearly hear him just pointing out the fact that Obama wants more gun control and that it is a bad thing for which we must be against him.
Jon Stewart on healthcare
Stewart is the host of the Daily Show on Comedy Central. He interviewed Bill Kristol, a conservative pundit on the subject of healthcare. Kristol was quite clearly against government involvement in healthcare but went on to say that the military healthcare system, which is government-run, was a great system but too good for the American public. Stewart quite easily backs Kristol into a corner and it was funny watching Kristol try to turn things back around – unfortunately by this point it is too late and he comes across as confused and unsure of what he really thinks.
Stewart uses comedy to bring important issues to the American public in an accessible way, poking fun of politicians and the media. Whilst his show is for entertainment, Stewart and the Daily Show have been nominated for news and journalism awards.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sa69puS7J0Q
Stewart uses comedy to bring important issues to the American public in an accessible way, poking fun of politicians and the media. Whilst his show is for entertainment, Stewart and the Daily Show have been nominated for news and journalism awards.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sa69puS7J0Q
CNN's Immigration problem - Is Dobbs the exception or the rule?
I chose this article as it identifies older american white male view on immigration.
http://www.fair.org/index.php?page=2867
Lou Dobbs is a radio host and former television presenter for American news programme CNN.
This article raises the issue of Dobbs' ignorance of immigrant rights, as he takes a stance against the mass flow of immigration. The article comments on Dobbs' reference to Mexican immigrants as 'illegal alien smugglers'; identifing the slant in Dobbs' views.
Yet it not only identifies Dobbs as an 'attacker of immigrant rights'; Jack Cafferty (a CNN commentator) is also identified as dismissing immigrant rights; it quotes Jack Cafferty as evidence of his racist viewpoint. From this article I identified the contrasting views of generations; both Lou Dobbs and Jack Cafferty are white Americans in their 60's, this stems the outcome of their negative views on the consistent flow of immigration, both legal and illegal. It also follows the view that America is consistently changing. There is also a satirical view from Jon Stewart. http://tunnelingin.blogspot.com/2006/04/jon-stewart-on-immigration.html
http://www.fair.org/index.php?page=2867
Lou Dobbs is a radio host and former television presenter for American news programme CNN.
This article raises the issue of Dobbs' ignorance of immigrant rights, as he takes a stance against the mass flow of immigration. The article comments on Dobbs' reference to Mexican immigrants as 'illegal alien smugglers'; identifing the slant in Dobbs' views.
Yet it not only identifies Dobbs as an 'attacker of immigrant rights'; Jack Cafferty (a CNN commentator) is also identified as dismissing immigrant rights; it quotes Jack Cafferty as evidence of his racist viewpoint. From this article I identified the contrasting views of generations; both Lou Dobbs and Jack Cafferty are white Americans in their 60's, this stems the outcome of their negative views on the consistent flow of immigration, both legal and illegal. It also follows the view that America is consistently changing. There is also a satirical view from Jon Stewart. http://tunnelingin.blogspot.com/2006/04/jon-stewart-on-immigration.html
obama derangement syndrome according to rachel maddow
Rachel Maddow is a 'liberal' host of the Rachel Maddow show on MSNBC. She is not an Obama supporter, which is blatantly obvious when listening to her talk about him.
When Obama won the Nobel prize in October, it was world news. In Maddows show there are clips of what some in the Political world of reporting think of the Obama Nobel Prize. Not only that but she goes on to state that the Nobel Prize is not always awarded to those who succeed. Many of those who received the prize did not, such as President Wilson who came up with the idea for the League of Nations and the Treaty of Versailles. Both of which did not do the job that was intended of them, especially considering the fact that the United States refused to be a member of the League of Nations. Maddow then goes on to rename the Obama supporting act as Obama Derangement Syndrome, after the Bush Derangement Syndrome that was his predecessor.
The Nobel Peace prize became a political issue when it was given to a President who had not been in office that long at all before he was voted to win. There is huge controversy over the issue, non of which can really be resolved. But now much of the World stares down on Obama to a greater degree, because it doesn't seem that he deserves the prize. Those who believe that Obama deserved the Nobel prize have been labeled as having Obama Derangement Syndrome. They cant possibly be right in the head. Or so it has been put across by Rachel Maddow.
Thursday, 12 November 2009
Week 7... more thoughts on guns.......
For still another view on the American scene check this website and look through some of the cartoons -
http://redstatepatriot.com/gun_control/ - pretty extreme.
Yet another over-dramatised and emotional defence of one of the "great freedoms" of America! I find this one of the most difficult and unwelcome aspects of America - the stats. provided by Alasadair in his Monday lecture (on the LEN) illustrate the consequences of the "right to bear arms" - perhaps the wording of a document from the 18th. century needs bringing up to date?
Just a thought! Have a good week and thanks again for your prompt and varied posts and discussion.
John.
Tuesday, 10 November 2009
Gun Control - The Pro's and Con's
American's have had the right to bear arms for hundreds of years now - since the Bill of Rights was introduced, however in recent years the people who own guns have come under criticism from many. This website lists some of the main arguments for and against gun ownership in America, drawing on the gun control laws we have here in the UK.
Armed Females of America are a group which believe very strongly that the citizens of America should continue to be allowed to own guns, believing that not only is it their "God given right", but it is the only way that they can stay free. This website encourages people to get involved in the fight to keep their weapons and tells people how they can make a difference.
The author of this website wrote ten years ago that it was time to "get rid of the guns" in America. It is a good example of the view that guns cause more problems than they solve.
Armed Females of America are a group which believe very strongly that the citizens of America should continue to be allowed to own guns, believing that not only is it their "God given right", but it is the only way that they can stay free. This website encourages people to get involved in the fight to keep their weapons and tells people how they can make a difference.
The author of this website wrote ten years ago that it was time to "get rid of the guns" in America. It is a good example of the view that guns cause more problems than they solve.
guns in america
Its written in the Bill of Rights that all Americans have the right to bear arms. So with this right, many families have made the decision to bring their children up in an environment where it is acceptable to have guns and go for a family outing to the shooting range.
I have found one website that is very pro-gun that includes all aspects of the gun culture.
http://gunowners.org is a website that was founded by Senator Richardson.
The website posts all stories about Guns in America as well as having an the opinions of those members in the separate houses when it comes to Guns. Their acceptance of guns is rated from A+ to either and F or not rated.
To those who believe in the cause for guns there is an online shop where Guns of America t-shirts are available for purchase, aswell as a contribution page to help the cause.
All news on the anti gun lobby is reported on the website, including the recent win against Obamacare.
The site is very obviously for those dedicated to enforcing their right to bear arms.
On the other end of the spectrum is the anti-gun lobby. For this I found a website that was very clearly in favour of preventing Gun Violence, as that was indeed their slogan. www.bradycampaign.org . The website shows the facts about gun violence in America in comparison to other countries, underneath the figures there is a large caption stating 'GOD BLESS AMERICA' with a picture of a hand gun painted like the American flag. There is a page showing the reports and studies on guns. The worst page for me to look at was the victims page. The main picture is that of a candle with faint lights behind it. underneath you can make an online tribute written to your lost loved ones. The page was heartbreaking, although i didnt see the victims names, the idea was put across.
The two websites show vastly different ideas. On the one hand, there is the pro-gun website that wants to make America safer by always having the ability to protect the family. Its their right to protect their families, especially when the police probably wont arrive until after the attacker would have left the premises. On the other hand, there is the anti - gun website that is for those who have loved and lost to guns. Those caught in the cross fire of protection. Guns against guns mean death.
Both view points make sense to me, and in the case of the massacres in schools a gun would come in very handy. However, guns wouldnt be needed if no one had them.
I have found one website that is very pro-gun that includes all aspects of the gun culture.
http://gunowners.org is a website that was founded by Senator Richardson.
The website posts all stories about Guns in America as well as having an the opinions of those members in the separate houses when it comes to Guns. Their acceptance of guns is rated from A+ to either and F or not rated.
To those who believe in the cause for guns there is an online shop where Guns of America t-shirts are available for purchase, aswell as a contribution page to help the cause.
All news on the anti gun lobby is reported on the website, including the recent win against Obamacare.
The site is very obviously for those dedicated to enforcing their right to bear arms.
On the other end of the spectrum is the anti-gun lobby. For this I found a website that was very clearly in favour of preventing Gun Violence, as that was indeed their slogan. www.bradycampaign.org . The website shows the facts about gun violence in America in comparison to other countries, underneath the figures there is a large caption stating 'GOD BLESS AMERICA' with a picture of a hand gun painted like the American flag. There is a page showing the reports and studies on guns. The worst page for me to look at was the victims page. The main picture is that of a candle with faint lights behind it. underneath you can make an online tribute written to your lost loved ones. The page was heartbreaking, although i didnt see the victims names, the idea was put across.
The two websites show vastly different ideas. On the one hand, there is the pro-gun website that wants to make America safer by always having the ability to protect the family. Its their right to protect their families, especially when the police probably wont arrive until after the attacker would have left the premises. On the other hand, there is the anti - gun website that is for those who have loved and lost to guns. Those caught in the cross fire of protection. Guns against guns mean death.
Both view points make sense to me, and in the case of the massacres in schools a gun would come in very handy. However, guns wouldnt be needed if no one had them.
Gun control
The first website I have chosen is http://www.largo.org/welcome.html - Lawful And Responsible Gun Owners. Their aim is to show that it is often ordinary, law-abiding citizens who own guns to protect themselves, their motto ‘Good people, doing good things’. There is an interesting section on Child Safety which advocates the Eddie Eagle training programme by the NRA. This aims to educate children on what to do if they find a gun – Stop, Don’t Touch, Leave the area, Tell an adult.
The second website is http://ncgv.org/ - North Carolinians against gun violence. This organisation works to make communities safer by reducing gun violence, enforcing current gun laws and trying to gain support for even stronger controls. The site has some figures regarding gun crime which are quite shocking, such as 1000 people killed by guns in a year in the State.
Whilst I found the LARGO site slightly more convincing as guns seems to be unavoidable in the United States maybe it is better to educate people on how to handle them, the NCGV site makes a strong case for tighter controls.
The second website is http://ncgv.org/ - North Carolinians against gun violence. This organisation works to make communities safer by reducing gun violence, enforcing current gun laws and trying to gain support for even stronger controls. The site has some figures regarding gun crime which are quite shocking, such as 1000 people killed by guns in a year in the State.
Whilst I found the LARGO site slightly more convincing as guns seems to be unavoidable in the United States maybe it is better to educate people on how to handle them, the NCGV site makes a strong case for tighter controls.
Anti-gun control and Pro-gun control
My first website: 'Death by Gun Control' focuses on the consequences of not owning a gun.
http://www.romanticlovesecrets.com/Death-By-Gun-Control.html
This highly anti-gun control website lists the different stories of shooting incidents and how those who posessed a gun, managed to restrict the number of deaths in various incidents of armed robbery and attempted murder. It also mentions about the incident in Luby's cafeteria where 22 people were mass murdered, due to not one of them owning a gun. Although the articles' various stories are convincing in the assumption that guns will prevent mass homocides. It doesn't denote the possibility that gun's should not be sold in the first place.
My next chose website 'A Case for Gun Control' addressess the issues of owning guns.
http://www.asahi-net.or.jp/~ZJ5J-GTTL/guns.htm
This Pro-gun control website questions the motives of the 2nd amendment: 'the right of people to keep and bear arms'. It addresses the limitations of this statement both morally in 'the rights to owning a gun....interfering with public safety' and legally in contricting the 'rights' as just the same as owning heavy arms such as 'nuclear missiles'. This website also debates the issue of using a gun in 'self-defence', how it is possible to 'kill a member of the household...than an intruder'. Overall I feel that this 2nd website is more convincing as it offers a balanced argument that doesn't just inform you of a list of examples but gives weighty evidence to back up its point. The article even offers a proposal for rational gun control.
http://www.romanticlovesecrets.com/Death-By-Gun-Control.html
This highly anti-gun control website lists the different stories of shooting incidents and how those who posessed a gun, managed to restrict the number of deaths in various incidents of armed robbery and attempted murder. It also mentions about the incident in Luby's cafeteria where 22 people were mass murdered, due to not one of them owning a gun. Although the articles' various stories are convincing in the assumption that guns will prevent mass homocides. It doesn't denote the possibility that gun's should not be sold in the first place.
My next chose website 'A Case for Gun Control' addressess the issues of owning guns.
http://www.asahi-net.or.jp/~ZJ5J-GTTL/guns.htm
This Pro-gun control website questions the motives of the 2nd amendment: 'the right of people to keep and bear arms'. It addresses the limitations of this statement both morally in 'the rights to owning a gun....interfering with public safety' and legally in contricting the 'rights' as just the same as owning heavy arms such as 'nuclear missiles'. This website also debates the issue of using a gun in 'self-defence', how it is possible to 'kill a member of the household...than an intruder'. Overall I feel that this 2nd website is more convincing as it offers a balanced argument that doesn't just inform you of a list of examples but gives weighty evidence to back up its point. The article even offers a proposal for rational gun control.
Thursday, 5 November 2009
Week 6.
Well done - again! The posts and the discussions were very relevant; perhaps reminders (!) of Alasdair's lecture on Monday - worthwhile just checking through his lecture on the LEN!! There was plenty of important backgound on the notions of an inclusive or exclusive American society.
The reality of a modern, multi-cultural America - a challenge to the earlier dominance of WASP ideology from the 18th. and 19th. centuries - questions whether America is becoming fragmented by minority issues. What unites a nation when there are so many counter cultures and pressure groups? - from witches to Quakers....etc.
The cartoon that I posted "Where the blame lies" was published in 1891; can you recognise the characters, their ethnicity and the political debate of that time? What is the message of the cartoon? Why was it important then? And, does it have any relevance to the present?
Good luck with the essays
John.
The reality of a modern, multi-cultural America - a challenge to the earlier dominance of WASP ideology from the 18th. and 19th. centuries - questions whether America is becoming fragmented by minority issues. What unites a nation when there are so many counter cultures and pressure groups? - from witches to Quakers....etc.
The cartoon that I posted "Where the blame lies" was published in 1891; can you recognise the characters, their ethnicity and the political debate of that time? What is the message of the cartoon? Why was it important then? And, does it have any relevance to the present?
Good luck with the essays
John.
Wednesday, 4 November 2009
Tuesday, 3 November 2009
The Quakers in North America
For this weeks blog task I have chosen to study the history and views of the Religious Society of Friends in North America, or as they are more commonly known, the Quakers.This website gives us a history of Quakerism, and how they first came to settle in North America. After being persecuted throughout Europe, the first record of them coming to America is the arrival of Mary Fisher and Ann Austin at Boston in 1656. Unfortunately, they were still unwelcome, even here. It was not really until 1681 when William Penn (a Quaker himself) founded the state of Pennsylvania. It soon became a haven not just for Quakers, but for many other religious minorities too.
What is interesting about the Quakers is that even today, as when they first arrived in America, they are still shunned by many. This website tells us more about the Quakers today. For example, it tells us how they differ from many other religions in that they have "No single statement of religious doctrine [which] is accepted by all the overlapping regional bodies of Friends." In the past, Quakers have always been on the cutting edge of change, being the first Christian group in America to completely denounce slavery and for all it's members to free all their slaves. And today, while Quakerism may not be at the forefront of change in the world, it is interesting to me that they are still very liberal in regards to things like homosexuality, having some of the first Christian groups in the world to accept it.
African Americans
Africans were first "imported" in America to work in the plantations of the colonies. In 1619, 19 slaves were brought from Africa to Virginia. In 1790 there were 700,000 slaves in the USA. Everyone knows about slavery in America, or at least everyone knows that there used to be slaves. Slavery led to the Civil War between pro-slavery States and against slavery States.
I found this very interesting website about slavery in Connecticut. Slavery was especially known in the Southern States, not that much on the Northern States, so it is interesting to have a point of view of the story more up north. Here is the link to the website. The website offers a great deal of stories about slavery and videos about different topics surrounding slavery. And it is affiliated to Yale University (one of the Ivy League universities) so it is an academic website.
The second website I found was about the African American representatives in Congress and the importance of race in the eyes of African Americans. This was quite interesting and has a nice bibliography at the end, if anyone wants to know more about the subject. It's interesting to see that Black people do prefer to be represented in Congress by someone Black, even though it is not their only criteria of vote. Let's say that if the representative has good ideas and is black, it's a nice bonus for them.
wiccans in America
Religion in America has always been majoritarilly Christian. When the decennial census in 2000 was published, the main religions were Christian, Islam and Judaism. Under the 'other' category sat a religion that has been gaining supporters fast. Now there is thought to be over 500,000 Wiccans in America alone.
There are many websites on the internet that promote Wicca, however, half of them contain fallacies and are directed at the audience that believes Wicca to be a form of Satanism. The website www.wicca.com holds a historical account as to how Wicca came to be in America in the 1950s and the different sections and beliefs within the religion. Within one of the sublinks is a brief history of where the concept of Wicca came from. There is even an entry within the website that was written by a Christian on what they thought of Wicca and its followers. The website clearly tries to fight against the image of Satanism. It also has links to many Wiccan writers and their works.
A more contemporary website would be www.wiccantogether.com
Its a website where Wiccans can talk together about matters close to their hearts to other witches from other covens. Political matters can be discussed without true fear of intimidation and rejection that some still get. The website has an online shop by link, but the purpose of the site is the connection of witches from around America and the globe.
There are many websites on the internet that promote Wicca, however, half of them contain fallacies and are directed at the audience that believes Wicca to be a form of Satanism. The website www.wicca.com holds a historical account as to how Wicca came to be in America in the 1950s and the different sections and beliefs within the religion. Within one of the sublinks is a brief history of where the concept of Wicca came from. There is even an entry within the website that was written by a Christian on what they thought of Wicca and its followers. The website clearly tries to fight against the image of Satanism. It also has links to many Wiccan writers and their works.
A more contemporary website would be www.wiccantogether.com
Its a website where Wiccans can talk together about matters close to their hearts to other witches from other covens. Political matters can be discussed without true fear of intimidation and rejection that some still get. The website has an online shop by link, but the purpose of the site is the connection of witches from around America and the globe.
Women's Rights
Despite making up 51% of the US population, women are still under represented in areas such as government and senior management in business. Although women gained the right to vote in 1920, this was still 50 years after African American men were given that right. The first website refers to the convention in Seneca Falls in 1948 where the Declaration of Sentiments as discussed. This document was brought about by women who were unhappy that they could not voice their opinion at an anti-slavery conference. http://www.americanhistory.about.com/od/womenssuffrage/a/senecafalls.htm
The 2nd website is the YWCA website whose ideal is to empower women. They provide a long list of information about what women need to achieve equality, comparing male and female salaries, employment status and healthcare and pension benefits. http://www.ywca.org/site/pp.asp?c=djISI6PIKpG&b=295714
It is interesting to see that initially women just wanted the chance to play a part in important decisions but whilst things have changed considerably women are still not fully equal to men in lots of areas
The 2nd website is the YWCA website whose ideal is to empower women. They provide a long list of information about what women need to achieve equality, comparing male and female salaries, employment status and healthcare and pension benefits. http://www.ywca.org/site/pp.asp?c=djISI6PIKpG&b=295714
It is interesting to see that initially women just wanted the chance to play a part in important decisions but whilst things have changed considerably women are still not fully equal to men in lots of areas
Asian Americans as 'other'
My chosen topic for this weeks webblog task are Asian Americans.
http://history-world.org/asian_americans.htm
My first website depicts a history of Asian American's migration to the US as a 'success story'.
What is interesting is the depiction of these Asian Americans having to overcome being grouped together as if they were 'homogeneous', when in fact people's of Japan, China, Korea etc, very much differ from each other just as Europeans such as the English, Spanish, French etc differ from each other. Early European Americans failed to recognise this.
The author then goes on to describe the historical impact these Asian American's had on America; the Chinese effort in building the 'transcontinental railroad' (1869) in California. The author also highlights the tensions with these Asian Americans in the Chinese Exclusion Act (1882) ending the immigration of Chinese labourers up until 1943 when it was recognised as a national embarassment.
http://teacher.scholastic.com/activities/asian-american/notables.htm
This follows on to my second chosen website which highlights the achievements of certain individual Asian Americans and the impact and influence they have had on America. This can also be categorized as the American idea of hope, for all minority groups coming to start their careers in America.
http://history-world.org/asian_americans.htm
My first website depicts a history of Asian American's migration to the US as a 'success story'.
What is interesting is the depiction of these Asian Americans having to overcome being grouped together as if they were 'homogeneous', when in fact people's of Japan, China, Korea etc, very much differ from each other just as Europeans such as the English, Spanish, French etc differ from each other. Early European Americans failed to recognise this.
The author then goes on to describe the historical impact these Asian American's had on America; the Chinese effort in building the 'transcontinental railroad' (1869) in California. The author also highlights the tensions with these Asian Americans in the Chinese Exclusion Act (1882) ending the immigration of Chinese labourers up until 1943 when it was recognised as a national embarassment.
http://teacher.scholastic.com/activities/asian-american/notables.htm
This follows on to my second chosen website which highlights the achievements of certain individual Asian Americans and the impact and influence they have had on America. This can also be categorized as the American idea of hope, for all minority groups coming to start their careers in America.
Thursday, 29 October 2009
Week 5 Tutorial....
Dear Margot, Julie, Vicci, Michael and David.
Really satisfied by your blogs and commentaries - it was a good balance of topics and and some useful insights on the strange "new" world of America - the question for you to answer and consider, what is it about Americans and their society that encourages or allows such peculiarities of behaviour? Why is it still the "New World"? - does it originate from those early founding ideals?
For interest, here's another view of the new world as it was way back during the "Age of Discovery" - an early "imagining" of the Americas
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/magazine/8328878.stm
( NB Use the enlarge to see the detail)
Have a good week,
best wishes,
John.
Really satisfied by your blogs and commentaries - it was a good balance of topics and and some useful insights on the strange "new" world of America - the question for you to answer and consider, what is it about Americans and their society that encourages or allows such peculiarities of behaviour? Why is it still the "New World"? - does it originate from those early founding ideals?
For interest, here's another view of the new world as it was way back during the "Age of Discovery" - an early "imagining" of the Americas
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/magazine/8328878.stm
( NB Use the enlarge to see the detail)
Have a good week,
best wishes,
John.
Tuesday, 27 October 2009
The New America School
I chose this website probably because of it's name (that's the first reason) and then because of the little descriptions talking about the American Dream. Isn't it amazing that a school says that they can help young immigrants fulfill their American Dream ?
The New America School is actually a whole system of public schools that helps immigrants with English language and giving them, to their eyes, a good education. The locations of the schools are chosen in relation to the need (so where there are most immigrants).
De Crevecouer said that in America people were free and equal. These schools want to give the possibility to immigrants to get an education and a better knowledge of the language, giving them the opportunity to be equal to all other citizens (they are not illiterate and understand the language). And by having a good education that means they can enter higher education and compete for better jobs that what they would have got without any education.
And also, by understanding the language and getting an education similar to the one a non-immigrant American would get, that encourages them to be part of the society, not excluded and so be rightly assimilated.
Diet for a New America
http://michaelbluejay.com/veg/books/dietamerica.html
This book was published in 1987 and looks at modern farming methods and how America’s obsession with eating protein has led to the poor health of the nation. The author is suggesting that a vegetarian diet would make a huge difference to the level of things like cancer and other serious illnesses. He looks at how use of pesticides and toxins in the raising of livestock has increased in order to increase the appeal of meat and meat products.
It would be very hard to imagine most Americans turning to a meat-free diet, given the stereotypical view that we have of Americans as burger addicts but if it makes some people think a little more about what goes into their mouths then it might be a good thing. De Crevecoeur makes reference to ‘exuberant crops’ and to being well fed by an employer so maybe having too much of a good thing hasn’t helped.
This book was published in 1987 and looks at modern farming methods and how America’s obsession with eating protein has led to the poor health of the nation. The author is suggesting that a vegetarian diet would make a huge difference to the level of things like cancer and other serious illnesses. He looks at how use of pesticides and toxins in the raising of livestock has increased in order to increase the appeal of meat and meat products.
It would be very hard to imagine most Americans turning to a meat-free diet, given the stereotypical view that we have of Americans as burger addicts but if it makes some people think a little more about what goes into their mouths then it might be a good thing. De Crevecoeur makes reference to ‘exuberant crops’ and to being well fed by an employer so maybe having too much of a good thing hasn’t helped.
How to create a 'New You'
This website http://www.selfgrowth.com/ aims to create a 'New You'. The idea that you can completely change who you are and become a totally different person is one which features commonly in De Crevecouer's letters. Even today, people come to America following 'The American Dream'. However, this is not the only way in which people reinvent themselves in America. Today, the idea that somebody can use a self-help guide to reinvent themself is a very common part of American life. De Crevecouer wrote that it is in America that people "become men", and it is this idea of becoming something else which American's still find so appealing to this day. With the levels of things like dieting and cosmetic surgery on the rise in the States, it's no wonder that people turn to self-help guides in an attempt to become a 'New' person.
American Soul Music
My chosen website in following De Crevecour's example of American 'Newness' is American Soul music, the story of Stax records in Memphis 'Soulsville'.
http://www.soulsvilleusa.com/
De Crevecour in his letter refers to that 'strange mixture of blood, which you will find in no other country'. By this he is referring to the wide range of ethnic groups consistently inhabiting America.
One ethnic group which are the founders of my source are African Americans. As early slaves they developed an interest in music such as Blues, gospel, Jazz etc. Music that reflected the sorrows and poverty of being slaves and bad treatment from white bosses. From early rhythm/blues and gospel, a new kind of music was formed, music that was unfamilier yet revolutionary in America at that time; Soul music. Stax records founded in Memphis, Tennessee 1959, saw the rise of a number of talented African American soul singers, to name a few: Otis Redding, Wilson Pickett, Booker T & the MG's etc. Soul music remains an American success today and Stax records, once a record shop in an old movie theatre, grew to become a major recording studio and figurehead of American music.
http://www.soulsvilleusa.com/
De Crevecour in his letter refers to that 'strange mixture of blood, which you will find in no other country'. By this he is referring to the wide range of ethnic groups consistently inhabiting America.
One ethnic group which are the founders of my source are African Americans. As early slaves they developed an interest in music such as Blues, gospel, Jazz etc. Music that reflected the sorrows and poverty of being slaves and bad treatment from white bosses. From early rhythm/blues and gospel, a new kind of music was formed, music that was unfamilier yet revolutionary in America at that time; Soul music. Stax records founded in Memphis, Tennessee 1959, saw the rise of a number of talented African American soul singers, to name a few: Otis Redding, Wilson Pickett, Booker T & the MG's etc. Soul music remains an American success today and Stax records, once a record shop in an old movie theatre, grew to become a major recording studio and figurehead of American music.
Scientology
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h1RaKWS6jb4
Religion has always been around in America, and it will be engrained into some cultures and societies for a long time yet; no matter what De Crevecouer thought or wrote.
http://www.scientology.org/home.html
Scientology is a relatively new religion in the grande scheme of things. It was created in the 1950s as a way to give new answers to old questions of who are we, and why are we.
It is written by those behind Scientology that a person who belongs to that movement, no one needs to have the faith, but to instead want to realize their true potential. They can gain spiritual freedom.
De Crevecouer wrote that America regenerates people, there they become men. L. Ron Hubbard believes that the religion that he created helped people become the men they were meant to be. They realized their true potential, and so became regenerated in life. Scientology allows a person to flower as it allows for the letting go of the past. Alot like the Europeans leaving their homes and arriving in a new beginning.
Tuesday, 20 October 2009
Gabriel Archer tells us the story
Gosnold's Settlement
I decided to explore then Virtual Jamestown website and pick a testimony from there. I found this one quite interesting as not only does it depict the native Americans, but the landscaping is also described, and even though we are, for the moment, talking about settlement and the European view on native Americans, we did study landscaping and it's always interesting to see what marked the English when they first arrived there.
So, in this testimony, a lot of the islands visited are described. They did discover places that they named Cape Cod, Martha's Vineyards and Shoal Hope. I don't know about Shoal Hope, but Cape Cod and Martha's Vineyards are two names I have heard of in the past.
As for what Gabriel Archer says about the native Americans, it is quite similar to what was said in our set reading for the week. They are savages, naked with long hair tied in the back of their neck, wearing only loose deer skins around their shoulders and seal skins around their wastes. Though they do say one, that seems to be he chief, is wearing a black waistcoat, a pair of breeches, cloth stockings, shoes and a hat. Hand they spoke Christian words, thus they had been in contact with Christians.
The author also notes that they paint their bodies, are armed with bows and arrows and had copper plates hanging from their ears, and some of them had copper plates hanging around their neck.
They seem to have helped them learn how to survive, exploring the islands and finding food.
The French explore the Mississippi
http://titan.iwu.edu/~matthews/intro.html
This is an account by a Frenchman, Father Marquette tells us of his first trip up the Mississippi, and the Natives that he meets along the way. His account tells us very little about the actual journey, or conditions aboard the ship - but he seems keen to make an accurate report on the Natives he meets. I found this article particularly interesting, because in contrast to Percy's account of the Natives as savages, he remarks that they are "civil", "liberal", and above all, "very docile". From reading this article, I learned that he believed he could convert the Natives to Christianity. Indeed, in Part 2 of his account on the website, he tells us that there are already "several good christians" among another nation they travel past on their way to the Mississippi.
This is an account by a Frenchman, Father Marquette tells us of his first trip up the Mississippi, and the Natives that he meets along the way. His account tells us very little about the actual journey, or conditions aboard the ship - but he seems keen to make an accurate report on the Natives he meets. I found this article particularly interesting, because in contrast to Percy's account of the Natives as savages, he remarks that they are "civil", "liberal", and above all, "very docile". From reading this article, I learned that he believed he could convert the Natives to Christianity. Indeed, in Part 2 of his account on the website, he tells us that there are already "several good christians" among another nation they travel past on their way to the Mississippi.
the Welsh got there too!
Christopher Columbus has a special day dedicated to him on October 12th, as he was the first European. But is that day and title truly his?
Evidence and folklore combined dispute this claim.
According to a Welsh poem that has been in Welsh Folklore for generations, a Welsh Prince called Madog found the New World in 1170 ad.
Queen Elizabeth 1, was told, by a loyal subject, the story of Prince Madog. Some may say that was for prestige and power, as at that point in time, the English and Spanish were in the midst of territory struggles.
Again the story crept up in history, as explorers stumbled upon Native Americans along the Tennessee and Missouri borders in the eighteenth century. These Native Americans were not like the others of their kind, for they spoke a similar language to Welsh, aswell as fishing in coracles, which are the boats still used in Wales today.
All of these snipets of supposed evidence are dwarfed by the discovery of six skeletons in 1799. all the skeletons wore brass armour with the Welsh coat of arms on the chest piece.
The tribe that Prince Madog supposedly lived with, has since been wiped out in 1837 by small pox. But a plaque was placed at the place they lived to commemorate them.
http://www.historic-uk.com/HistoryUK/Wales-History/DiscoveryofAmerica.htm
I personally think that the Welsh did reach the United States. Even if the skeletons didn't exist, the accounts of the explorers must have been based on something. A language being based on Welsh in a Native American tribe, seems to sa far-fetched that it seems hard to dismiss.
The skeletons however, reveal alot to me as it is cold, hard fact. The skeletons were there, wearing Welsh armour.
However, what does make me stand back and think, is that there was no account as to nowadays. With the technology that we have all around us and in the museums, surely there would have been an investigation into these skeletons and their age. If the stories were untrue then the skeletons would have been labeled a fraud. Yet no mention of them has been made after their initial discovery.
Even with that egging at my mind, I still firmly believe that the Welsh were in America, even if it wasn't as early as they suggest. The language and traditions convince me. Not only that, but the article also mentions that there were Welsh style forts dotted around the area. That is another point that has convinced me.
Evidence and folklore combined dispute this claim.
According to a Welsh poem that has been in Welsh Folklore for generations, a Welsh Prince called Madog found the New World in 1170 ad.
Queen Elizabeth 1, was told, by a loyal subject, the story of Prince Madog. Some may say that was for prestige and power, as at that point in time, the English and Spanish were in the midst of territory struggles.
Again the story crept up in history, as explorers stumbled upon Native Americans along the Tennessee and Missouri borders in the eighteenth century. These Native Americans were not like the others of their kind, for they spoke a similar language to Welsh, aswell as fishing in coracles, which are the boats still used in Wales today.
All of these snipets of supposed evidence are dwarfed by the discovery of six skeletons in 1799. all the skeletons wore brass armour with the Welsh coat of arms on the chest piece.
The tribe that Prince Madog supposedly lived with, has since been wiped out in 1837 by small pox. But a plaque was placed at the place they lived to commemorate them.
http://www.historic-uk.com/HistoryUK/Wales-History/DiscoveryofAmerica.htm
I personally think that the Welsh did reach the United States. Even if the skeletons didn't exist, the accounts of the explorers must have been based on something. A language being based on Welsh in a Native American tribe, seems to sa far-fetched that it seems hard to dismiss.
The skeletons however, reveal alot to me as it is cold, hard fact. The skeletons were there, wearing Welsh armour.
However, what does make me stand back and think, is that there was no account as to nowadays. With the technology that we have all around us and in the museums, surely there would have been an investigation into these skeletons and their age. If the stories were untrue then the skeletons would have been labeled a fraud. Yet no mention of them has been made after their initial discovery.
Even with that egging at my mind, I still firmly believe that the Welsh were in America, even if it wasn't as early as they suggest. The language and traditions convince me. Not only that, but the article also mentions that there were Welsh style forts dotted around the area. That is another point that has convinced me.
Account by a Dutch settler - 1642
http://www.eyewitnesstohistory.com/mohawks.htm
This is an account by a Dutch minister, Johannes Megapolensis who travelled to the Dutch colony of Fort Orange at the head of the Hudson River in 1642 with his wife and 4 children. He had been given his passage in order to “fill the spiritual needs of the inhabitants of the area”. It doesn’t define whether this means other settlers or the native inhabitants. Megapolensis’s account of the Mohawk people, with whom the Dutch did the majority of their trade, in fur in particular, gives an insight into their way of life including relationships and child bearing. I felt this passage was particularly interesting as it seems that the Native Americans had managed to wage war with more simple weapons until the settlers introduced them to their guns. “Their weapons in war were formerly a bow and arrow, with a stone axe and mallet; but now they get from our people guns, swords, iron axes and mallets. “ There is also mention of the violence of the tribe including eating their enemies but that the settlers didn’t feel afraid of them.
This is an account by a Dutch minister, Johannes Megapolensis who travelled to the Dutch colony of Fort Orange at the head of the Hudson River in 1642 with his wife and 4 children. He had been given his passage in order to “fill the spiritual needs of the inhabitants of the area”. It doesn’t define whether this means other settlers or the native inhabitants. Megapolensis’s account of the Mohawk people, with whom the Dutch did the majority of their trade, in fur in particular, gives an insight into their way of life including relationships and child bearing. I felt this passage was particularly interesting as it seems that the Native Americans had managed to wage war with more simple weapons until the settlers introduced them to their guns. “Their weapons in war were formerly a bow and arrow, with a stone axe and mallet; but now they get from our people guns, swords, iron axes and mallets. “ There is also mention of the violence of the tribe including eating their enemies but that the settlers didn’t feel afraid of them.
An account by an early German settler in America
My chosen account is that of an early German settler in the US. http://historymatters.gmu.edu/d/7439/
Francis Daniel Pastorius was the founder of the first German settlement in Pennsylvania. He founded Germantown, a gateway for latter German immigrants into the US. The account describes his 'voyage' across the Atlantic and his initial impressions on arriving in Philadelphia in 1683. From reading the article I learned that he was a religious man, giving me the impression that intended to promote Christianity in the State as he quotes: 'to follow His holy teachings'. He describes the treacherousness of the journey including the poor conditions on board the ship, he quotes that the 'fish' was so 'rancid' that him and his crew 'could hardly eat half of them'.
The way he describes his first perceptions of the Natives I find very interesting. Firstly he refers to them as 'inhabitants' perhaps respecting the fact that they were there first; he then goes on to write: 'for if I were to call the former savages...'I should do great injustice to many of both varieties'; a sharp contrast to that of Englishman George Percy's account refering to them as savages. Whats more interesting is fact that he also quotes at the end of paragraph 9 after eating 'Turkey' with them he proceeds to write that 'we have nothing to fear from them', a much different attitude to that of the English consistently living in fear of attack.
Francis Daniel Pastorius was the founder of the first German settlement in Pennsylvania. He founded Germantown, a gateway for latter German immigrants into the US. The account describes his 'voyage' across the Atlantic and his initial impressions on arriving in Philadelphia in 1683. From reading the article I learned that he was a religious man, giving me the impression that intended to promote Christianity in the State as he quotes: 'to follow His holy teachings'. He describes the treacherousness of the journey including the poor conditions on board the ship, he quotes that the 'fish' was so 'rancid' that him and his crew 'could hardly eat half of them'.
The way he describes his first perceptions of the Natives I find very interesting. Firstly he refers to them as 'inhabitants' perhaps respecting the fact that they were there first; he then goes on to write: 'for if I were to call the former savages...'I should do great injustice to many of both varieties'; a sharp contrast to that of Englishman George Percy's account refering to them as savages. Whats more interesting is fact that he also quotes at the end of paragraph 9 after eating 'Turkey' with them he proceeds to write that 'we have nothing to fear from them', a much different attitude to that of the English consistently living in fear of attack.
Friday, 16 October 2009
Week 3: News from the USA....
http://news.bbc.co.uk/today/hi/today/newsid_8310000/8310325.stm
An interesting view of daily life on the Great Plains - one of the empty areas of America. Why?
Thanks for an enterprising set of posts on Wednesday. Enjoy the weekend and don't forget to post for next Wednesday - good luck with the library exercise.
John
An interesting view of daily life on the Great Plains - one of the empty areas of America. Why?
Thanks for an enterprising set of posts on Wednesday. Enjoy the weekend and don't forget to post for next Wednesday - good luck with the library exercise.
John
Wednesday, 14 October 2009
Algeria's point of view
I found this interesting article, in french, from an algerian newspaper Le Quotidien d'Oran.
This article was written by Abed Charef and was published on the 17th October 2005.
The article, in a few words, is about the american will to democratize the arabic world. Yet, in the eyes of the writer, America only offers dishonor or suicide to the countries it invades. The article quotes Syria and how America forced a political retreat. And in Iraq, the USA had talked about finding mass destruction weapons, instead of finding them it led to the country's auto-mass destruction.
America only gives the choice to submission or war and destruction.
Unfortunately, the subject then derives to illegal immigration from North African countries to Europe. So, let's leave that part behind.
It seems that Algeria sees the war with a very critical eye and a certain animosity towards America. America is a threat to the freedom of arabic countries. America, though, sees itself as a savior of those countries, liberating the people from a harsh oppression, giving them a new democracy. Well, it seems that they should have stopped themselves from doing it, if you'd have asked the arabic countries.
Russia's views on America
http://en.rian.ru/valdai_op/20090930/156302512.html
The article which I have chosen comes from the Russian newspaper Ria Novosti. The author argues that even now, twenty years after the end of the Cold War, "Russia’s political decisions are often made 'to spite Americans.'"
I thought this article particularly interesting because it shows us that Russia still think of themselves as 'better' than the United States. "Many people responsible . . . in Russia do not believe in the possibility of honest and practical cooperation with America." Even though doing things like trading with the US would benefit Russia more than anyone else, they still refuse to do it. The article tells us that the ruling class in Russia are "afraid" of opening up the country and it's economy because they think that if the Russian people got a chance to see how the rest of the world lives, they wouldn't want to stay the way they are now.
After reading this article, I get the impression that the author is jealous of the way things happen in the United States of America, he argues that political policies in Russia are often made purely based on "the official who holds this or that post.", whereas in America things make a lot more sense. He's convinced that large-scale cooperation between Russia and the West would be of great advantage the Russia, but it is their "foreign policy arrogance" which stops them.
The article which I have chosen comes from the Russian newspaper Ria Novosti. The author argues that even now, twenty years after the end of the Cold War, "Russia’s political decisions are often made 'to spite Americans.'"
I thought this article particularly interesting because it shows us that Russia still think of themselves as 'better' than the United States. "Many people responsible . . . in Russia do not believe in the possibility of honest and practical cooperation with America." Even though doing things like trading with the US would benefit Russia more than anyone else, they still refuse to do it. The article tells us that the ruling class in Russia are "afraid" of opening up the country and it's economy because they think that if the Russian people got a chance to see how the rest of the world lives, they wouldn't want to stay the way they are now.
After reading this article, I get the impression that the author is jealous of the way things happen in the United States of America, he argues that political policies in Russia are often made purely based on "the official who holds this or that post.", whereas in America things make a lot more sense. He's convinced that large-scale cooperation between Russia and the West would be of great advantage the Russia, but it is their "foreign policy arrogance" which stops them.
Tuesday, 13 October 2009
An American's view on how Mexican citizens view the US
The article I chose is a rather interesting perspective from an American point of view in June 2008.
http://www.webloggin.com/houston-chron-mexican-citizens-view-the-united-states-in-negative-fashion/
The article reveals the feeling of an American towards Mexico, it reinforces the stereotypes of Americans being ignorant of other nations. It concludes with the patriotic quote: 'How we look to other nations and what they think is what is destroying this nation'. The article is littered with emotive language, hence the use of the word 'destroying'. The article refers to a survey stating that 47% of Mexicans have a positive view of the US, down from 68% a decade ago; 9% down this year as a result of anti-immigrant backlash angering Mexicans. The article also offers a survey of percentages in Mexican views towards American political leaders, 29% of Mexicans having confidence in Obama, 16% in Bush and 19% in McCain, underlying the authors perceptions of Mexico being a 'cynical' country. The racist undertone is evident throughout so it doesn't help to change the initial perception of Americans being ignorant.
http://www.webloggin.com/houston-chron-mexican-citizens-view-the-united-states-in-negative-fashion/
The article reveals the feeling of an American towards Mexico, it reinforces the stereotypes of Americans being ignorant of other nations. It concludes with the patriotic quote: 'How we look to other nations and what they think is what is destroying this nation'. The article is littered with emotive language, hence the use of the word 'destroying'. The article refers to a survey stating that 47% of Mexicans have a positive view of the US, down from 68% a decade ago; 9% down this year as a result of anti-immigrant backlash angering Mexicans. The article also offers a survey of percentages in Mexican views towards American political leaders, 29% of Mexicans having confidence in Obama, 16% in Bush and 19% in McCain, underlying the authors perceptions of Mexico being a 'cynical' country. The racist undertone is evident throughout so it doesn't help to change the initial perception of Americans being ignorant.
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