Columnist+Studies

1. Will, George F. "Electoral College Reform and Tilting the Presidential Balance." //Washington Post//. The Washington Post, 7 Oct. 2011. Web. 14 Oct. 2011. 

News Article

In George Will's article, //Electoral college reform and tilting the presidential balance//, he explains how the current set up of our electoral college is unstable and uneven. He supports his claim by comparing previous elections to each other, such as Bush against Kerry in 2004, and Kennedy against Nixon in 1960, and compare how the popular vote and the electoral vote differently affect the outcome of the election. Will's purpose of the article is to convince the readers that the voting process is unorganized in order to convince them to reform and reorganize it. Throughout the article, Will's uses an astonished tone for an audience of politicians.

I take this article to mean that the voting process we go through is corrupt and unorganized. Seeing that I'll be voting in 5 years, and that I know nothing about politics, I'm a little worried I'll end up picking the guy who seems the nicest or shares a few similarities with me. However, this article has brought to my attention the importance of voting. If just one person picks a random candidate, it won't cause such a detrimental change. However, if multiple people in the voting pool don't know who they should vote for, many would pick the one who seems smarter, and could affect the popular vote, therefore affecting the overall election.

2. Friedman, Thomas L. "Where Have You Gone, Joe DiMaggio?" //New York Times//. The Opinion Post, 8 Oct. 2011. Web. 14 Oct. 2011. 

News Article

In Thomas L. Friedman's article entitled //Where Have You Gone, Joe DiMaggio,// he claims that Steve Jobs did more than just make a phone, but that he actually helped us in many ways. He backs this up by explaining in detail how Steve Jobs was one of the few Americans who saw something, felt something else should be done, and did it. The purpose of the article is to prove that Steve Jobs did a lot more than just make a phone, but that he revolutionized our country with his many developments in the internet and computers, in addition to setting a prime example of what the average American should be. Friedman uses an admiring tone to emphasize his appreciation for Steve Jobs so that the audience of Americans who don't realize Jobs' importance can learn and see of his contribution to America.

This article helped me to better understand what all Steve Jobs did, for originally, I hardly knew anything about him. However, after reading this article, I fully understand what all Steve Jobs did. He not only created the iPhone, but he helped in movie development, he helped recreate the internet, and most importantly, he gave other men, such as Bill Gates, competition, leading them to further their studies and research as well. Without him, who knows where our technology would be right now. This article helped me realize just how important he was.

3. Will, George F. "Occupy Wall Street: Good for the Environment?" //OnEarth Magazine//. The Washington Post, 13 Oct. 2011. Web. 14 Oct. 2011. 

News Article

In George Will's article, //Can Occupy Wall Street Give progressives a lift?,// he complains that Wall Street is leading to many different problems, known as Tea Parties. He supports this by comparing opposites, such as Lady Gaga to Lord Chesterfield, or Pittsburgh, Kansas to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, to better explain that Washington is grotesquely corrupt and insufficiently powerful. The purpose of this article is to explain the horrors of Wall Street, and prove that it needs to be taken care of. Throughout the article, Will uses a tone of disgust and disbelief to show his distaste for Wall Street, so that the audience, those in charge of Wall Street, can learn of their mistakes and correct them.

This article brought to my attention that we shouldn't always trust the government or our economy, and that they could change anything at any moment. Before reading this article, I was oblivious to any of these Tea Parties and didn't even know what Wall Street was. However, now, I am aware and wish that it will improve it's current state as soon as possible. This article provided me with insight towards a side of America that I usually didn't look at, and thanks to Will's accurate descriptions, I now better business and the government.

4. Friedman, Thomas L. "Something's Happening Here." //New York Times//. The Opinion Pages, 11 Oct. 2011. Web. 14 Oct. 2011. .

News Article

In Thomas Friedman's article, //There's Something Happening Here//, Friedman argues that our country is in economic peril. To do so, he references many outside sources that verify this, such as Paul Gilding, an Australian author, or John Hagel III and John Seely Brown, co-chairmen Center For The Edge, to better emphasize and point out the importance of this crisis. The purpose of the article is to show America that it needs help, but also to assure America that it will eventually pass, and our current economic trouble will be over. With a hopeful tone, Friedman spreads his point to his audience of those who are worried about our current economical state.

After reading this article and Will's over the same topic, I now have a better understanding of our nations current crisis and how we can and will deal with it. At first, after reading Will's, I was afraid that it would all crumble, but now that I've read Friedman's article too, I feel that I now have a perfectly clear view of the matter. Friedman's article reassured me that our economic state is not to be heavily worried about, seeing as they have people working on the subject, and that it will eventually pass. After reading this, I now understand more about not just how, but why our country is in debt and what we're going to be doing with it.

5. Will, George F. "The NBA Standoff Pits the Elite vs. the Elite." //Washington Post //. The Washington Post, 14 Oct. 2011. Web. 27 Oct. 2011. .

News Article

In George Will's column, //The NBA standoff pits the elite vs. the elite,// Will explains how currently in the NBA, the players and the team's owners are in a dispute over who gets how much money. To do so, he references what certain players and owners have said about the topic, showing the debate on what percentage they should get. The purpose of Will's article is to show the ridiculousness of the whole situation, seeing as they are unsatisfied with $7 million a year. Using a somewhat mocking tone, Will shows the audience of our country that the wealthy are complaining about not being wealthy enough, when others in our country are suffering because they can't feed their family.

This article brought me to light about how the rich don't even notice the poor. In the article, Latrell Sprewell was quoted saying "I've got my family to feed," when asked if $7 million a year was enough. That alone proves to me that the wealthy of the world don't ever consider what regular life is like, not to mention the life of poverty. After reading this article, I've determined that this is a topic that needs to be looked at, and this clearly shows that the rich need to start paying more attention to the poor, possibly donate some of their massive piles of money to charity.

6. Friedman, Thomas. "Imagined in America." //New York Times //. New York Times, 18 Oct. 2011. Web. 27 Oct. 2011. .

News Article

Thomas Friedman, in his article //Imagined in America//, points out the issues related to a bill the U.S. Senate is trying to pass that would cause China to have to pay more for goods that come from China to the U.S. He does this by pointing out facts such as China's devaluing of their currency in order to have an economical advantage and the fact that it would take less people to do in America what China does. His purpose of the article is to show the audience that China manipulates its currency and market access, and that there is no easy answer to solve this. Throughout the article, he uses a tone of despair, sounding like he's already given up on trying to solve it, to help show the audience of our economy's top shots that it's almost pointless to try to fix it.

This article has brought to my attention how much economical trouble our country is in. As compared to other countries, we're practically wasting money. The fact that this problem isn't even the main conflict of our country only proves this further. Unless we somehow find a solution to all of our countries problems soon, then we might slowly digging our own graves. However, if something can be done, then we might just be able to save our country. One solution could be to focus on one important task, solve it, then move on to the next, instead of trying to focus on all of them at once.

7. Will, George F. "Inundated by a River of Words." //Washington Post //. Washington Post, 26 Oct. 2011. Web. 27 Oct. 2011. .

News Article

In George Will's article, //Inundated by a river of words,// he argues that our society underestimates us as civilians, and feels the need to explain everything. To do so, he gives many examples, such as airports that have signs telling you when the moving walkway ends, or a sign that says a train is arriving as it's pulling into the station. The intended purpose of this article is to show to our government that we are smart people, and that we have common sense, and we should keep the silence as opposed to pointing out the obvious. Using a joking tone, Will successfully conveys to his audience of our countries government that we don't need to be reminded of our common sense, and that they should just keep quiet.

This article brought to my attention the fact that common sense itself, to put it simply, isn't that common anymore. Our government expects so little from us, it's sad. Not that it's a problem, it just shows that our government doesn't trust us. They believe us to be stupid and incompetent. If they don't trust us, then why should we trust them? It is essential that our government trusts us with respect, not with gentle care one might give a kindergartner. Unless we can get our government to realize our importance, we'll continue to spiral downward and downward until our government falls apart.

8. Friedman, Thomas. "Thomas Friedman: One Country, Two Revolutions - Fullermoney."//Proactive Investors UK //. New York Times, 25 Oct. 2011. Web. 27 Oct. 2011. .

News Article

In Thomas Friedman's article, //One Country, Two Revolutions//, he testifies that the IT of our nation is slowly being enhanced to help benefit our nation's economy. To do so, he gives examples of how using websites in business can help promote sales or how one can even sell materials over the internet. The purpose of the article is to show how the massive growth of the internet and our technology isn't bad, and that it is actually helping our society. His tone of happiness in the article helps the audience of those who believed that our technology was hindering us realize that it really isn't a problem at all, and that the technology is more so a tool to be used to make life easier.

I can agree with this article strongly due to my own experiences. I myself have realized that my life has become a lot easier ever since getting an iPod Touch, which comes with the internet, in addition to access to many different applications, such as a dictionary, notes for school, or a calender. Since so many people think these are ruining our country, many are hesitant to use them. However, given time, many can learn that simply having easier access to the internet and technology can help make life that much easier.

9. Will, George F. "Mitt Romney, the Pretzel Candidate." //Washington Post //. Washington Post, 28 Oct. 2011. Web. 1 Nov. 2011. 

News Article

George Will, in his article //Mitt Romney, The Pretzel Candidate//, argues against Mitt Romney and his political stance, saying that while he is unfit to run for president, he is one of the better choices. He does so by referencing Romney's views on ethanol treatment in Ohio, in addition by comparing him to Obama and Bush. The purpose of the article, mainly, is to have certain voters reconsider voting for Romney, whether they weren't planning on it or if they were. His tone of hopefulness allows the audience of supporters for Romney to better understand who they're voting for, but also helps those who were originally against Romney to feel better about him, and reconsider electing him.

This article, to be honest, flew right over my head. I'm a firm supporter of Romney, but, contrary to popular belief, not because I'm a Mormon too. This article points out the political side of Romney, while I have been looking at the economical side. A firm business man, Romney can handle money well, and I have full faith in him that he can help save our country. In addition, I know very little about politics, but if I had to trust my country with anyone, I'd prefer it be someone who shares similar beliefs and ideals as me.

10. Friedman, Thomas. "A Long List of Suckers." //The New York Times.// New York Times, 1 Nov 2011. Web. 3 Nov. 2011. //

News Article

In Thomas Friedman's article, //A Long List of Suckers,// he argues against the fact that the worlds largest powers, Russia, Britain, and America, are constantly fighting over the land of the Middle-East, due to the fact that it's ownership is constantly changing. To do so, Friedman explains how there is conflict between the Shiite Muslims in Iran and Iraq, which in turn makes the land less profitable and valuable. The Iranian Shiites are complaining because the Iraqi Shiites are getting more freedom than them. The purpose of this article is to convince the world's major powers that this land is not as valuable as they assume it to be. Using an insulting tone, Friedman encourages his audience of the loss of value in this land, in hopes that they will drop the topic of who gets possession of it.

This article brought to my light the conflict in the Middle East outside the war. In my opinion, this is contributing to the conflict in the Middle East, and is helping to make their land less valuable. Unless we can stop this conflict, this land will continue to go down-hill, and eventually run itself into the ground. However, if we can help out in conflicts outside the war, this land could become prosperous again, and benefit our world overall.