Argument Smargument: That's Us... Unless We Come Up With A Title We All Like Better

WANTED: The Few. The Proud.

2010-03-01T15:03:00.000-08:00

Hayley Gustafson
Ms. Cook
Writing 122
1 March 2009

WANTED: The Few. The Proud.

Do you think as a woman you could teach a tough guy the fundamentals of being a U.S. Marine? Although a woman might not think the marines is a place to be, there are supposedly equally available leadership opportunities if she joins. According to the advertisement, the Marines offer opportunities for women to achieve leadership roles.
The product being offered for sale is a lifestyle of being able to reach a leadership or teaching position in an organization that has been traditionally for tough men. The objective appeal is that the advertisers would like you to sign up for the Marines.
The advertisement comes from a women’s fitness magazine where the principal subject is a young woman who is physically fit and appears to be in a leadership position in the Marine Corps. The woman’s persona projects leadership, strength, and toughness. She looks confidant, physically and mentally fit, and feels good about herself.
The ad itself appears to be in a military instructional setting. The way the woman is standing above the people she is instructing implies that she is qualified to instruct all the people around her. What really draws the eye in is the woman standing in a martial arts pose. The other thing that catches the eye is the boldface word ‘WANTED’. These elements of the advertisement are both meant to draw the reader in to take a closer look at what is happening with the rest of the ad.
The text of the advertisement reads, “There are no female Marines. Only Marines.” There is a perception that women who join the Marines would be on equal footing with male counterparts in this organization. It is debatable whether or not this is true. Of the 202,000 U.S. Marines, approximately 91% of those members are male while roughly 9% are female (United States Marine Corps). Since the U.S. Marine Corps is a predominately male field, it is difficult to argue there are truly equal opportunities for women. The major Marine Leaders are all men (U.S. Marine Corps).
According to this advertisement, as a woman, you can be strong and play on equal footing with men. In fine print, the ad includes this text:
“As a recruit, you’ll be pushed to your physical and mental limits. Only together, can you find what it takes to complete the journey and earn your place among the elite few.”
In other words, the opportunity is available to both men and women equally. The advertisement challenges you to become a member of the elite few. Regarding social status or class, the ad implies that if you are able to withstand the rigors of marine training, you will be empowered to lead other recruits.
The military has led the way in enabling minorities to achieve leadership positions. If an individual is able to endure the tough conditions of the physical and mental attitude required and is able to take on the responsibility of protecting their country, you are able to serve in the military and be a part of a unique organization.
The advertisement promotes the idea that not only a minority person but also a minority woman can reach a leadership position and achieve self-fulfillment. The suggestion of the ad is that a highly motivated young woman can aspire to not only be a peer but a leader and mentor.

Works Cited

Marines. The Few. The Proud.. U.S. Marine Corps, 2010. Web. 22 Feb. 2010. .

United States Marine Corps. Linkedin, 2010. Web. 22 Feb. 2010. .

Nike ad

2010-03-01T14:37:00.000-08:00

Jake Graham
Nancy Cook
writing 122
February 15, 2010

A fit woman wearing a pink work out shirt with headphones around her shoulders turns her computer on and looks at the Nike webpage. There is a running contest world wide that any one can join, to determine if men or women are in better shape. She looks at her boy friend, who is sleeping on the couch, and says to her self women are way more athletic. She takes off running downtown where she speeds past a group of guys on the side walk. While running through the park, underneath the bright green trees, a bunch of women join her. The women come across a group of guys coming straight at them on the same trail. As they meet, the guys are forced off the trail as the women run by. The website shows that the women and men are now tied. Five girls give a disgusted look to a guy in an elevator. When the doors open they all take off sprinting as the camera zooms in on all of their Nike running shoes. One of the men runners sees a women jogging and sprints past her waving his hand at her. The stats show the men have passed the women. A Women running down the street sees the words “go men” written on the back of a mini van so she changes it to “go woman”. The Women speeds past a guy who stops on a hill for a break, he waves his arms at her in disbelief that the hill doesn’t phase her speed at all. Tony Parker (NBA player) looks for his shoes in his house as his wife is throwing them off the balcony. His wife laughs, knowing he won’t be able to run without his Nike’s. The ad shows the guy that was sleeping on the couch running and meeting up with his girl friend. They race each other while the score is tied and the street that their on is lined with people cheering. His girl friend pushes him out of the way so she can pull ahead of him. Tony Parker is now back at his house throwing all of his wife’s shoes off the balcony. The ad ends with the score being tied and writing that says join the men vs. women challenge at NikePlus.com. Nike does a great job marketing their shoes in this ad by promoting exercise, competition, and empowering women, although they don’t always empower the women who make their products.
Nike uses many different ways in this unique commercial to get people to buy their products. The ad is about the men vs, women running competition that Nike puts on. Nike makes running in this competition look like a fun event so people will join. The people who do enter the race will need to buy running shoes if they don’t have any. Most people will buy Nike’s since that’s who is putting on the race. Nike is also a very popular brand throughout they world. The ad is targeting women more than men even though both sexes are being promoted in the race. It shows women being empowered by the way they scowl at the guy sleeping on the couch and when they give the guy in the elevator a disgusted look. They also show them being empowered when the women meet the men on the trail and the guys are the ones jumping off the trail to get out of the way of the women. Nike just doesn’t target men and women athletes in the U.S. but all around the world to join this race of the sexes. This will broaden their popularity and help them sell more shoes. People watching this ad will see that all of the people running have outstanding athletic bodies. This will further encourage people to enter the race so that they can get their bodies looking like the athletes in the ad.It also encourages people to become healthier and exercise more. The ad includes many international athletes so people, all over the world, will recognize the athletes that all wear Nike shoes. The music plays a role in the ad because it’s upbeat and makes you motivated to get up and run.
Even though Nike targets women in this ad by showing them to be empowered this isn’t always the case with some of Nike’s female employees. Nike has sweatshops in many countries including Vietnam, China, and Indonesia (Lormand). Ninety percent of Nike’s employees in sweatshops are young uneducated women (Lormand). “A sweatshop is a work place, often a factory, in which employees work long hours at low wages under poor conditions” (Women and Sweatshops). Women sweatshop workers only get paid around ten to twenty cents an hour (Women and Sweatshops). Sweatshops don’t pay their employees overtime in fact some workers don’t get paid at all. Sweat shop factories and living quarters are normally filthy and unsafe (Women and Sweatshops). In Vietnam and China 77% of the workers have respiratory problems from chemicals (Lormand). Many women are sexually abused for false promises of better jobs (Woman and Sweatshops). Managers threaten and punish their employees so they become to scared to stand up for them selves. Some factories have barbed wire fences and armed guards surrounding them just like a prison (Woman and Sweatshops). However, Nike does many good things even though they use sweatshops.
When we shop for shoes, should we not buy from Nike because some of their shoes were made in sweatshops? It’s hard not to buy products that have been made in sweatshops since so many companies use them. These companies include: Phillips-Van Heusen, Disney, Guess?, The Gap, Banana Republic, Old Navy, Tommy Hilfiger, Reebok, Levi Straus, Liz Caliborne, Ralph Lauren, Mattel, Wal-Mart, Roohsing, and Kohl's (MacNevin). If it was a perfect world everyone would make good money and be happy, but it’s not. Sweatshop employee’s usually live in such poverty that without that job they may starve to death. Many companies, such as Nike, don’t actually own the factories where their products are produced so Nike is not totally responsible for the existence of sweatshops. The government that allows these factories should make them illegal, set a decent minimum wage, and have better regulated working conditions. Nike promotes women to be competitive with men by showing them to be just as good as men in their ad. If the women, who work in sweatshops, become empowered then hopefully some of them won’t get stuck in sweatshops.
Nike is a very successful company that promotes positive and unfortunately some negative aspects of life. Most of the public in our country would strongly disapprove of the use of sweatshops but they also continue to buy their products. The fact that so many companies use sweatshops makes it hard not to buy from them. Nike provides America with a huge selection of athletic gear that generally makes their consumers happy. At least Nike promotes women and men to be equal with healthy competition, and for everyone to get up and exercise so that they can be a healthier person.

Works Cited

Lormand, Eric. Facts and Faqs about Nikes labor abusers. Web. 21 Feb. 2010. .
"Women and Sweatshops." Woman and Global Human Rights. Web. 21 Feb. 2010
.
MacNevin, Suzanne. Fashionistas Against Sweatshops . Web. 21 Feb. 2010. .

Cindy's Is There Still Time to Apologize?

2008-03-17T20:16:00.000-07:00

As I drive down Highway 30, my eyes scan the landscape. The remnants of the December 2007 storm still linger. Fallen trees litter the hillsides like giant pick up sticks. Mud flats three feet high replace the plush green lawns that spring usually brings. A small house now resembling an upturned pyramid sits uninhabited. It has become visibly apparent that Mother Nature is changing. After centuries of human assault she has found the courage to seek her revenge.
Why would our beautiful earth cause all of us such loss and devastation? Human beings have ravaged earth’s forests. We have removed much-needed trees, weakening the soil on cliff sides causing landslides. The skies have been poisoned by car exhaust and factory smoke stacks, which has caused a multitude of issues. The most significant problem we have caused is global warming.
Global warming will potentially wreak havoc on human life. As we have seen with the 2007 storm and the surge of devastating hurricanes like Katrina, global warming is affecting our weather. “Floods caused more property damage and fatalities than any other natural disaster in the United States in the twentieth century.” (Environmental Defense Fund) With the higher threat of flooding, comes the risk of crop losses and water-borne diseases. The number of forest fires and drought are also likely to increase. Our earth is becoming not so human friendly.
How can we help this problem? The possible solutions are endless. The first step is admitting there is a problem. Next, each of us needs to take a look at our homes. “Most emissions from homes are from the fossil fuels burned to generate electricity and heat.”(An Inconvenient Truth 2) Most of us are probably guilty of leaving lights on in rooms we are no longer in, or leaving the television on over night. Simply turning off electronics after use can reduce thousands of pounds of carbon dioxide a year. (An Inconvenient Truth 2) Not only is this better for the environment, but it is also good for the pocket book. Another easy act is to wash clothes in cold water instead of hot, and hang laundry to dry whenever possible. Recycling is a good way to help. It’s an easy task and can eliminate about 2,400 pounds of CO2 a year. (An Inconvenient Truth 3) These solutions are easy for anyone to do. They are a good way for just one person to make a difference.
We only have one planet. If the human race is to continue to inhabit it, we have to make a change. With this being a global issue, it is hard to imagine that one person can help anything. Hopefully, with education and word of mouth, one person doing these simple tasks can encourage at least one more to do the same. Mother earth has taken care of us; it’s time that we return the favor.

Alicia Posts Laughing At the Marlboro Man

2008-03-17T19:26:00.000-07:00

An Anti-smoking ad found on the website blog.miragestudio7.com depicts a close up picture of the Marlboro man. He is standing in the desert with his head down looking at his dead horse sadly. Right above the horse are bright bold white letters spelling out “SECOND HAND SMOKE KILLS”. The letters stand out dramatically because of the orange desert sand and the blue sky. The ad is attempting to grab the reader’s attention by using humor which doesn’t necessarily leave them thinking about the dangers of second hand smoke.

This ad’s target audience is current smokers. They use a mascot from a familiar brand of cigarette without actually stating that it is him. The Marlboro brand uses a cowboy for their advertisements so this is an unstated assumption. The ad is attempting to make the audience feel bad for the death of the horse by implying that second hand smoke has killed the horse. It is relating the Marlboro man directly to them and by doing that it is using pathos.

This ad is telling smokers that second hand smoke kills by providing part of a fictional story about the Marlboro man that they all know. They are using the audiences’ knowledge of the brand to have them create the rest of the story in their own minds. It is playing off of the guilt and pity that the audience feels after seeing the ad. They have accomplished this by making smokers feel bad for the deceased horse at the same time as feel guilty by silently accusing them of contributing to people’s death by smoking around them (Pathos). They have also used emotional and factual appeals by using the horse for emotional appeal and the words for factual appeal.

The ad’s claim that second hand smoke kills people is true. More than 40,000 people a year die in the U.S alone from second hand smoke; that’s more than illegal drugs and car accidents (Bloomberg). Cigarettes contain more than 4000 chemicals and 40 of them are known to cause cancer (Bloomberg). The concentration of those carcinogenic chemicals is higher in second hand smoke than it is when inhaled directly by the smoker (Bloomberg). Second hand smoke doesn’t always kill but just 30 minutes of exposure to second hand smoke can cause some of the same physical reactions that would occur with long-term smoking (Bloomberg). It also is responsible for over 26,000 new cases of asthma each year, 2.2 million ear infections, and up to 2,700 deaths from Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (Bloomberg). Sadly second hand smoke causes 3000 lung cancer deaths a year to non-smokers in the U.S (Bloomberg).

The argument that second hand smoke is true, but is using humor the right way to go about it? It may not be a laughing matter but it is a topic that needs people’s attention. Humor is a very affective tactic to grab attention what matters isn’t the humor it’s the message coming from it. People will remember this ad because it made them laugh and then when they think of the ad they will see the bright white letters so affectively used say “SECOND HAND SMOKE KILLS”.

Works Cited
Thomas R. Frieden, Michael R. Bloomberg. "Second Hand Smoke Kills ." 29 August 2002. NYC Health. 24 February 2008 .

RN writes about deforestation

2008-03-17T16:57:00.000-07:00

The Negative Consequences of Deforestation for Global Warming

This headline from the front page of the December 12, 2007, edition of The Clatskanie Chief, describes the devastation that clear cutting forests can cause. “Tons of water, mud and logs broke through an old dirt “fill” and roared down the Eilertson Creek Valley at the rural community of Woodson, Oregon on Tuesday, December 11, 2007” (Hazen 1). Highway 30 was closed for several days as a result of the mudslide, which covered the road with tons of mud, logs and a mobile home. Initially, most people thought the mudslides were caused by heavy rains, but OSU forestry officials concluded the 2004 clear cutting of trees on a nearby 2,440-acre tract of land contributed to the flooding and subsequent landslides. Slowing deforestation is essential to avoid dangerous global warming because it will reduce dangerous emissions of CO2 into the atmosphere.

Global warming is the increase of average world temperatures as a result of what is known as the greenhouse effect--Certain gases in the atmosphere act like the glass on a greenhouse, allowing sunlight through to heat the earth’s surface while trapping the heat as it radiates back into space. As the gases build up in the atmosphere, the earth gets hotter. According to a panel of researchers, global greenhouse gas emissions have increased 70% between 1970 and 2004 (IPCC 3). If no action is taken, the greenhouse effect could lead to a rise in average global temperature of between 1.5-4.5 degrees Celsius as early as the year 2030-making the world hotter than it has been for more than 100,000 years (YPTE 2). Storms and hurricanes will become more frequent and stronger as the oceans heat up, causing more water to evaporate and more droughts to occur in the heartlands. In addition, rising sea levels will cause increased flooding as polar ice caps continue to melt (YPTE 1).

Like the clear cut in Clatskanie, deforestation also has global effects. Trees are natural consumers of carbon dioxide (CO2), which is one of the main greenhouse gases. As trees grow, they absorb CO2. This is called the “carbon sink” effect. Trees are 50% carbon, and when a tree is felled or burned, the CO2 it stores is returned to the atmosphere. Tropical deforestation accounts for about twenty percent of heat-trapping gas emissions worldwide, however every forest matters. We must stop destroying forests and start replanting trees. More than 80% of the earth’s natural forests already have been destroyed (YPTE 1). Brazil and Indonesia have the two largest remaining rain forests, which are being stripped at an alarming rate by logging, fires, and land-clearing for agriculture and cattle-grazing.

Other consequences of deforestation include disruption of the water cycle: Trees draw water up through their roots and release it into the atmosphere. With removal of a forest, the region cannot hold as much water, which may cause a drier climate. With the loss of a protective cover of vegetation, more soil is lost, and silting of water courses and lakes occurs as a result of soil erosion.

Part of the solution to decrease global warming is to increase agricultural productivity so there is less demand to convert forests into farmland. Developing countries need financial assistance from more developed countries to do the job. Incentives could come in the form of carbon credits and bilateral agreements between donors and developing countries to support country-wide forest conservation projects (UCS). Selective logging and reforestation could be implemented to preserve forests, clear-cutting and burning should be outlawed both here in the northwest and around the world.

Due to the “carbon sink” effect, tropical deforestation is the largest source of emissions for many developing countries. Reducing deforestation in all areas is essential to avoid dangerous global warming. The United States and other industrialized nations must support developing countries in their efforts to limit their emissions from deforestation, and more importantly, they must reduce their own emissions and lead efforts to avert dangerous climate change (UCS 1). We all live on planet Earth, and in order to survive, we must take steps to protect Mother Nature. The devastation from clear cutting that occurred recently in Woodson, Oregon, is a reality check. Global warming affects everybody, and we must act now! Tomorrow may be too late!

Works Cited

Hazen, Deborah. "Woodson Landslide Causes Damage." The Clatskanie Chief (2007): 1
IPCC. "Summary for Policymakers." Climate Change 2007 2007: 3.
YPTE, "Global Warming." Fact Sheet. ypte.org. 8Mar 2008 .
Union of Concerned Scientists, "Tropical Deforestation and Climate Change." Global Warming 18 May 2007 1-2. 08 March 2008 <http://www.ucsusa.org/global_warming/solutions>.

Gunnar: Trees

2008-03-14T20:55:00.000-07:00

Trees: Guardians of the Earth

A clean and healthy life is something every living human being should strive for. In doing so, a conscious effort in doing ones part in preventing further global warming should be a high priority on everybody’s list. The old saying, “Life is what you make it”, comes into play here as the quality of life for everyone is at stake with the global warming controversy. It is time to face reality, because we are all at risk in losing the security and comfort of our daily lives. A perfect example of this would be the storm of last December 03, 2007 here in Astoria. We local residents witnessed a severe weather pattern that is fast becoming a trend due to the Earth’s rising temperature, caused by carbon dioxide trapped in the Earth’s atmosphere. A simple and inexpensive step to mitigate the damage would be and I propose this; to plant a tree, because trees absorb the deadly carbon dioxide pollutant from the air.

Besides conserving energy, recycling, and using fossil fuels responsibly, meaning driving less, planting a tree is an effective way to reduce global warming. One might argue that not everyone can do this because it takes land to perform this task. However, true that may be, if one does not have their own land, perhaps land can be available through friends and family for planting this valuable renewable resource. Everybody knows somebody that would enjoy the beauty, shade and the filtering of air that a tree would provide. My girlfriend Karen is taking full advantage of this in our backyard. Recently she has joined the Arbor Day Foundation, who in promoting cleaner air quality, has given her a complimentary ten small trees for planting. These trees will not only enhance the beauty and habitat of our lot, they will improve the air quality of our community. NASA Scientist Christopher Potter reaffirms this with, “Planting trees on marginal agricultural lands could sequester carbon and offset at least one-fifth of the annual fossil fuel emission of carbon in the United States” (Potter 1).

Though they absorb carbon dioxide, planting trees is not the total solution of global warming. During the fall and winter seasons trees drop their leaves which contain the pollutant and the further decay of the leaves adds carbon dioxide back into the environment. Planting trees is only an important step in reducing carbon dioxide in the Earth’s atmosphere. Planting trees is not a substitute for cutting down on fossil fuel emissions and conserving energy, people’s contributions, no matter how big or small are. Large companies and business alike are going green by changing the production processes and using energy conservation. As individuals, people can support the solution of global warming by taking action and thinking green on their own terms and on their own scale.

With the increased level of carbon dioxide in the air and the Earth’s atmosphere, trees are needed for their carbon dioxide absorbing properties. Forestry Specialist Michael Kuhns explains, “All plants make food out of carbon dioxide from the air, water, and solar energy through the process of photosynthesis” (Kuhns 2). He also tells us that, “Since this wood is mainly made of carbon from carbon dioxide, tree stems and roots are good, long-term storage places for carbon” (Kuhns 3). Planting trees is an investment of air quality for ones self and for future generations. It also can be a fun way to teach a child the responsibility of preventing further global warming.

If people continue to disregard this global issue by not taking the necessary steps to decrease pollutions and make small changes, our quality of life will be threatened. It has been proven through science that our repeated careless actions including pollutants from our cars and large refineries, has caused this problem over a period of time. It is up to us to mitigate the damage and to dig ourselves out of this hole. It takes everybody actively living up to this challenge, and requires doing their part in saving our way of life. Planting a tree is an inexpensive way to help fight pollution. Programs like the Arbor Day Foundation and many others, are giving away trees to promote clean air and inspire people to execute exactly what it is that I am proposing. Trees if purchased cost as little as ten dollars up to a hundred dollars at most nurseries. It is up to each individual regarding a trees price and its species to take a stand on this issue. We cannot afford to ignore global warming any longer! Thus, planting a tree would be an inexpensive response.

Mother Nature is a fickle creature, yet she is a beautiful one. She flexes her muscle from time to time with destructive storms and severe weather. This causes great alarm in our lives. She also enhances our lives daily with her gifts of wonder and purity that are Gods creations. Global warming is the man made evil that disrupts this beauty. Together, we can all make a difference that counts. Simply planting a tree is an easy place to start.

RN writes about Dove pro-age campaign

2008-03-04T17:05:00.000-08:00

Does Beauty Have an Age Limit?

In 2006, Dove came out with a campaign for Real Beauty: pro-age; pro-age advertisements showcase women age fifty and over. Dove is a leading brand in beauty care products and is challenging the “only young-is beautiful” stereotype. This particular ad for Dove pro-age beauty body lotion is located in the January 2008 issue of Better Homes and Gardens, a magazine which focuses on middle-aged women’s interests regarding homes, cooking, healthy living and decorating. The Dove pro-age website can be accessed at doveproage.com to view ad in its entirety. The magazine advertisement depicts a woman who looks closer to thirty three than fifty; however, this photograph appears air brushed, implying that Dove is not being completely honest in their advertising campaign. The model looks much older on the video website, (Dove Pro-Age ad – AOL Video), with saggy skin and wrinkles. In the magazine advertisement, she appears confident and aware of her sexuality. Her skin is clear and smooth, without wrinkles or age spots and she has nicely manicured nails and a wide smile with dazzling white teeth. Her entire body (olive skin) is the focal point for the advertisement. She is clearly a great advertisement for pro-age because she is ageless, living proof that women are genuinely stunning at any age. Cosmetic companies are going to have to change their tactics and use older women to model their beauty products because many of their best customers are entering middle age.

Women born between 1946 and 1964 are called baby boomers and make up a large part of the population. Many baby boomers are pushing sixty but refuse to admit their age; they don’t want to be younger, just look younger. In the beauty industry, young models are used to sell products, even those aimed at older women (Herman 1). In order to appeal to an aging population, beauty companies must hire real women that middle aged women can relate to. Advertisers focus their marketing on younger women, not realizing that sixty-five to seventy-four-year-old consumers outspend their counter-parts in the thirty-five to forty-four-year-old categories. Youth, beauty, and vitality are highly valued by Americans (Monsees 2).

The term ageism refers to a deep prejudice against elderly; people stereotype others based on old age. One stereotype is that old people are ugly.
Beauty is associated with youth, and women fear the loss of their beauty as they age. Some other cultures admire the characteristics of old age. In Japan, silver hair and wrinkles are often admired as signs of wisdom, maturity, and long years of service. (Palmore 12)
Cosmetic companies are often afraid to hire middle aged women because they are “over the hill” and fear that sales will decline if a young and beautiful woman isn’t marketing their product; however, the fifty plus generation is expected to grow from eighty nine million to 111 million in the next decade and they are spending more money than their younger counterparts. It is more realistic to have a fifty plus woman advertising an anti-aging product than a twenty year old. Smart companies who have older women sell their products will notice a huge increase in sales volume.

“Pro-active” or “pro-age” are words that are used frequently in contemporary advertising. Pro-active skin care is aimed at the teenage and early twenties population and has been around for at least ten years. The Dove pro-age campaign is adding a new spin to the word proactive, targeting older populations; “pro” is a positive word, making the aging process more palatable. Iam’s dog food recently introduced a new formula for older dogs, called proactive dog food. Proactive dog food supposedly keeps dogs healthy longer and extends their lifespan.

Kudos to Dove for going out on a limb and reaching out to middle aged women. Several other major cosmetic companies, including Revlon, are hopping on the bandwagon after seeing the success that Dove has achieved. Dove’s marketing approach continues to differ from the norm because it doesn’t hire celebrities for the pro-age campaign. Ordinary women over fifty try out for the ad campaign and are hired based on their honest, real beauty. The only change Dove needs to make in its advertising campaign is to cut out the air brushing; show the complete woman in her own skin. Companies like L’Oreal and Dior are forking out millions of dollars for natural-looking celebrities; for example, Jane Fonda and Sharon Stone have signed contracts to promote beauty products for older women.

Good Ol Boy: Analysis of Media Today

2008-03-03T16:30:00.000-08:00

Has the World Gone Nuts?

Imagine the most homely looking women that you can think of and multiply the intensity of her unattractiveness by 10, and you have the main character of this commercial. Imagine this women walking into an elevator, already occupied with an attractive man, wearing a pink suit and knee length skirt accompanied by matching pink cowboy boots. In these situations you would expect the attractive man to be repulsed by this woman, with the never ending eyebrow, but in this strange case the man begins to silently flirt with this heavyset woman. The commercial continues with this same women captivating all the men, that she passes, so that they are so detracted that they forget what they are doing or where they are. Finally the commercial ends with the women back at her apartment, but instead of putting on perfume as other women would do; she rubs planters cashews all over her neck.

This commercial for Planter Cashews makes the large unstated assumption; men love Planters Nuts so much that their judgment is impaired by the mere smell of it. This commercial depicts men, that should have high standards for the type of women they are attracted to, blinded by the smell of planters nuts. These men find themselves lowering their standard and dropping head over heels for an unattractive woman. In most cases the only thing to impair some ones judgment that much is excessive amounts of alcohol. So this presents a question, is Planters Nuts saying that you get the same affects as you do alcohol when you eat Planters Nuts? The answer to this question is no, at least in my mind it is, Planters Nuts is merely suggesting that every thing is better with Planters Nuts. This theme has appeared in many of the latest commercials including I.H.O.P.’s statement that a speeding ticket is better with wiped cream.

Even though there are more men in this commercial then there are women, this commercial is directed towards women. This commercial employs emotional appeals to attract women to buy Planter Nuts telling women that by rubbing Planters Nuts on themselves they can have any man they want. I liken this commercial to the Axe commercials of the past.

It could even be argued that this commercial resembles the Axe commercial so much, that Planters Nuts must have created their commercial as a spoof of the Axe commercial. It has been like a buffalo stampede with advertisers today, if one finds a good idea for their product the rest follow and use the same idea for their individual commercials.

Further analysis of this commercial provides evidence of other television clichés present. For example the commercial starts off with cupid stringing his arrow of obsession in an elevator; a scene we have seen on multiple episodes of Grey’s Anatomy. Also the commercial is based on another advertising ploy; creatively named manstincts. These so called manstincts suggest that all men have the same instinct and live by the same rules; yet another spoof, this one on the Man Law Commercials.

The Planters Peanuts Commercial is a perfect example of this buffalo stampede of advertisers. Axe Body Spray and Deodorant came up with the ingenious idea of creating a commercial depicting an average looking boy and sometimes a below average looking boy becoming instantly desirable by women of all ages by simply spraying himself with Axe’s Body Spray. Planters Peanuts commercial, along with many others, have taken this idea and ran with it. So much so, now it is not original and barely worth mentioning. So this begs the question; why would Planters peanuts use this particular commercial for their Super Bowl Debut?

The answer to this question is the simple but powerful word Humor. Planters Peanuts has taken an over used idea and added their own little spin; it is because this commercial is a spoof that it was a hit, making this commercial worth all the time and money that went into it. By making the woman extraordinarily ugly and not just ugly and by adding all the accidents that happen to the men that were distracted, Planters Peanuts made a commercial worth remembering; it was humor that made the commercial a success.

howdee...from nancy cee

2008-03-03T16:27:00.001-08:00

yes, the blog is working, and yes, i'm checking to see who's in here. way to go gunnar... your posts look great. i took the liberty of poaching a tugboat from the Foss site to support your argument. don't forget to respond to your peers with comments. and feel free to add images to help engage your audience.

Gunnar: Green Tugs

2008-03-02T12:09:00.000-08:00

Green Tugs

Foss Maritimes ad depicting its shiny green and white, clean and well maintained hybrid tug is dwarfed by the bow section of a mammoth container ship, between maneuvers. The forward towline from the tugs bow winch leads upward lazily with a slight belly in the line, thus is connected to the ships port side bow bitts, while two Able-bodied seaman from the ships crew standby. This promotes smooth operation in conveying a controlled situation with the use of this new vessel technology in handling a mighty cargo ship. Foss Maritimes excellence and professionalism are shown in this close quarters maneuvering scenario.

On a typical sunny and hazy Long Beach, California day, a nine hundred foot container ship is transiting through the harbor to its berth at the Port of Long Beach. Calm green hued water breaks with white streaked boils as a highly maneuverable hybrid Foss tugboat is tethered with an assist line to the giant ships bow. The new breed of tugboat will then escort the colossal hulk loaded with containerized goods from all over the world to a dock to be unloaded and the products distributed to their respective vendors. The Port of Long Beach California is the largest handler of containerized cargo on the west coast and the United States (Long Beach Facts, 1). With so many ships transporting tremendous amounts of cargo, the Port of Long Beach, CA relies on heavily on escort and ship assist services from a number of tugboat companies. Foss Maritime is one of those companies and is going the extra distance in providing this service with its new “Dolphin Class” hybrid tugboat. This tugboat is an environmentally friendly, “Green” compliant vessel that is the first of its kind, thus bringing a new wave to the frontier of fighting Global Warming, while providing an important service (Foss, 2).

This ad promotes cleaner air and fuel consumption much like the hybrid cars on the roads and highways today, via the waterways. In an already dirty industry that transports oils, fuel and chemicals, while relying heavily on these, Foss Maritime is setting the standards of the Maritime Industry with its hybrid tugboat, leaving the competitors in its wake. This first of its kind tugboat produces energy on demand with batteries charged by diesel engines for main propulsion and generators. While in standby mode alongside a giant ship, the tugs’ main engines will be secured, no longer idling and burning fuel, thus causing pollution. Per a statement regarding this new vessel, “The lower fuel consumption results in reductions of carbon emissions, a contributor to greenhouse gas, as well as sulfur emissions” (Green Car Congress, 2007).

Foss Maritime is taking a proactive approach in fighting Global Warming with this ten million dollar (The Daily News, 3), prototype vessel, backed by a $1.35 million donation from the smoggy Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach California for construction (Green Car Congress, 2007). This ad is sending a message to all the towboat competitors to get on board and to promote cleaner air and waterways. Global Warming is defined as “An increase in the average temperature of the earth’s atmosphere, especially a sustained increase sufficient to cause climatic change” (Forecast Earth, 4). Foss Maritime is furthering the fight in building more hybrid tugboats and retro-fitting their already existing harbor tug fleet for future business. With this magazine ad in a professional mariner publication, Foss Maritime proves they are a leader in the Maritime industry, showcasing their innovations in relation to this global issue.

The Maritime industry revolves around working with and in Mother Nature. I have stood on the decks of tugboats and pilot boats alongside giant ships and can say, one does not fully appreciate their size and all of the factors including; weather tides and currents in safely handling these giants until you can put your hand on their massive hull. Competent Captains safely maneuvering in these delicate situations with top of the line equipment makes all the difference in the world, I can assure you! Foss portrays this in this ad, though the tug and ship are bow to bow, with its “Green Hybrid Tug” and the professionalism in vessel handling.

Mother Nature as mariners know is very unpredictable and demands respect. It takes everyone doing their part in preventing further Global Warming by recycling, conservation, and even driving less. Foss Maritime again, are setting the standards of the Maritime industry with these innovative tugboats, fighting air pollution and thereby preventing the monster that is global warming.

Gunnar: Cover Letter

2008-02-29T21:19:00.000-08:00

Gunnar Allen
1524 5th Street
Astoria, OR 97103
(503) 741-0950
gunny_hunt_25@yahoo.com

February 29, 2008

Human Resources Department
Foss Maritime Company
660 W. Ewing
Seattle, WA 98119-1529

To Whom It May Concern:

Please accept the attached resume for the position of Corporate Communications Coordinator as recently advertised on the Foss.com website. I am enthusiastic about this position and am looking forward to the opportunity to be a part of the Foss Maritime Corporate team. I offer my extensive experience in the maritime industry. I have worked from the decks of tugs/barges as an Able-bodied Seaman-Unlimited; to the wheelhouse and further upward into the office. My confidence, combined with my human relations skills would serve all Company parameters well in this position.

I offer your company my strong foundation as a Professional Mariner, who knows that the safety of all crews and vessels is paramount in the delivery of cargo to the customer. I have a 1600 ton Mate/100 ton Masters license and have transported cargo up and down the west coast. Also I am taking courses to complete my Bachelors Degree in Business Management. I know that time is money and how to keep the customer happy. I have managed crews of fifty as the Bosun at the Tongue Point Seamanship program and am proficient in critical thinking and problem solving. In this position, I have participated in budget preparations including semi-annual updates for the programs three vessels and operations. Recently, while in this position, through professional relations with a former employer, I have secured important opportunities; such as delivery of the Columbia River Bar Pilots pilot boat Columbia as a donation to our program for training. I also have incorporated a relief deckhand program for this same organization, using my students to further their experience and opportunity. I am competent in computer skills including all Microsoft applications. I believe that communication is the key to success in all that is business and I practice this skill with great respect. I strongly believe in maintaining a great relationship with the customer, management and all vessel crews to provide the best service possible.

I will bring energy with conviction to the table in representing Foss Maritime, as I am a very motivated and inspired individual, whom when on fire is unstoppable. I have the talents and skills to market the transportation of cargo, thus being the Maritime Industry, needed to maintain and secure contracts. This is backed by my strong work ethic and drive to excel in all areas of my duties, with integrity and personality. Although, I have no formal training in Marketing, I am a salesman at heart and I pride myself in my use of language. More importantly, I know your clientele from my experience working in this great industry. I firmly believe that a job is like a marriage, it takes hard work and great care.

Thank you very much for taking the time to review my credentials and experience. Foss Maritimes’ standard for providing excellence in service to the customer, in the transportation business of cargo, with the best crews and equipment available is very exciting. It is my goal to be a part of the team that makes this happen and I am confident that I would be an asset to your Company. It would be a privilege and an honor to serve Foss Maritime and its customers. I look forward to meeting with you to discuss my experience and qualifications.

Alicia posts:

2008-02-23T16:45:00.000-08:00

Keep America American: Argument Against Amending the Constitution to Completely Ban Civil Unions

“Is the institution of marriage that fragile as to be threatened by the existence of love and commitment elsewhere?” (Pindell 1).This sentence so well spoken came from the first openly gay man to be elected bishop of an Episcopal church (Pindell 1). There is a bill that if passed will amend the constitution to not only ban Same-sex marriages but, will deny a gay couples right to a civil union and any individual rights or protections associated with marriage (florida4marriage).The U.S should not amend the constitution to permanently ban same-sex Civil Unions because this will be taking away the gay community’s rights as citizens.

Denying individual rights or protections associated with marriage to gay couples will cause harm to the gay community by not allowing the “legal incidents” of marriage (Goldstein 1).The Government Accountability Office identified a total of 1,138 federal legal provisions classified to the U.S code in which marital status is a factor in determining if someone can receive rights, benefits, and protections (not including state programs) (Pawelski). Some of these provisions include, legal recognition of joint parenting rights when a child is born or adopted, access to employer-based health insurance and other benefits for non-biological/not-jointly adopted children, and ability to make medical decisions for an incapacitated or ailing partner (Pawelsi). These are just a few of the rights that Americas gay community will be denied. Taking away people’s rights because of the way they choose to live is un-American. “All men are created equal.”

Besides their choice of partners same-same sex couples are no different than heterosexual couples. The American Academy of Pediatrics report on the Effects of Marriage, Civil Union, and Domestic Partnership Laws on the Health and Well-being of Children described the many differences or lack thereof between heterosexual and same-sex partners and their children. In their report they stated that the Lesbian Mothers that were interviewed scored into the normal range of psychological functioning (Pawelski). They also reported that the scores from Lesbian Mothers on self-esteem, anxiety, depression, and parenting stress were indistinguishable from those reported by heterosexual Mothers (Pawelski ). Also reported was that the observed evidence has shown that gay Fathers have shown nurturance and investment in their parental roles with no difference from the heterosexual Fathers when providing appropriate recreation or encouraging autonomy (Pawelski). This is only one of the many reports that have proved that same-sex couples are no different than the heterosexual couples other than their choice to be gay.

People supporting this bill claim that giving gay couples the right to a Civil Union would be harmful not only to the children of these couples but to our society (Stanton 2). Like I had stated before, there has been plenty of research done to prove that Same-sex parents are just as functional as heterosexual parents. As far as Civil Unions being harmful to society, I have yet to find a shred of research that proves how this is possible. All the research I have found suggests the opposite. According to the section on legal and financial effects of public policies in the American Academy of Pediatrics research, if Civil Unions are allowed our Social Security payments and spending on insurance coverage for partners of federal workers would rise over time. On the other hand, other expenditures such as Medicaid and Supplemental Security Income would decrease causing a net result of saving nearly 1 billion dollars per year (Pawelski). The Williams institute has also had similar findings on the federal budget and on many state budgets (Pawelski). So claiming that same-sex Civil Unions are harmful is just ridiculous and hurtful to our fellow Americans.

The idea of taking away the rights of an entire community because people don’t agree with how they live their lives is not what America is based on. If this amendment is passed we will be writing discrimination into our constitution and taking away their freedom of choice. Not by protecting the foundation of marriage, but by taking away Civil Unions and any other public act, judicial proceeding, or legal union between two members of the same sex. Society is so focused on our gay community’s way of life that they have forgotten that our fellow Americans still deserve their civil rights. Americans take pride living in a country that we call free and we should keep it that way.

Sources:
Abraham, James W. Pindell and Yvonne. "The Boston Globe." 18 February 2004. Boston.com. 7 February 2008 http://www.boston.com/news.

"Florida4Marriage: Meaning of the Florida Marriage Protection Amendment." Florida4marriage. 7 February 2008 http://florida4marriage.org/.

Goldstein, Richard. "AlterNet:The Gay Marriage Bomb." 14 August 2001. AlterNet. 7 February 2008 http://www.alternet.org/story/11312.

Stanton, Glenn. September 2004. Family Source. 7 February 2008 http://www.family.org/cforum/fosi/marriage.

Pawelski, James, MS, Perrin, Ellen, MD, Foy, Jane, MD, Allen, Carole, MD, Crawford, James, MD, Monte, Mark, JD, Kaufman, Miriam, MD, Klein, Jonathan, MD, Smith, Karen, Springer, Sarah, MD, Tanner, J. Lane, MD, Vickers, Dennis, MD. “The Effects of Marriage, Civil Union, and Domestic Partnership Laws on the Health and Well-being of Children.” Pediatrics 1 July 2006. PEDIATRICS, Official Journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics 8 February 2008

Gunnar: Essay 2

2008-02-18T19:54:00.000-08:00

The United States of America or Bust!

Although, the United States of America is a melting pot of all nationalities, thus it was built on a history of immigration; illegal immigration has become a problem in America today. This is one of the issues that are on the minds of the 2008 Presidential Candidates seeking election in November. Illegal immigration ties directly into the economy of the United States. The immigration system should be reformed because this leads to excessive unemployment and a lazy American work ethic and work force which is a tremendous problem today.

Illegal immigration is a contributing factor to the United States worsening economy, in ballooning health care costs, housing costs, gas and groceries prices, due to over population. According to critics of immigration laws H1B and L1 visas that allow immigrant workers into the country, claim that, “The policy is a stepping stone to outsourcing good-paying American jobs, including high-tech jobs and union jobs, to non-union overseas sweat shops” (Source Watch 1). Outsourcing is defined by transferring the responsibilities, duties and production of an entire business or part, to an outside source. This is fast becoming the trend of large American companies to cut down on the costs of all that entails the existence of a business. This practice eliminates American jobs in production, sales and marketing, making the entity profitable on the backs of workers abroad or in-house illegal immigrants. A statement referring to a pre-1970 immigration reform effort states, “Since 1970, and especially since 1990, mass immigration has been considered by some to be a corporate tool to force wages down, de-unionize the workplace, and promote further U.S. population growth, which may be seen as a benefit to real estate developers” (Source Watch 1).

The future of America, also known as the children of America are rendered helpless due solely to their up-bringing. They are called the “Generation Y”, because they are raised with the inclination of “Why even try”? The parents of generation Y have spoiled their children in giving them everything they desire without making them earn it. This promotes the ideology that money grows on trees, while never teaching them invaluable work ethic. For example, upon graduating from high school in 1988, my entire class, I included, went to work in plywood mills, canneries here in Astoria and up North in Alaska, retail in local stores and waiter/waitressing in local restaurants. Our parents had taught us that if we wanted things like a vehicle, we had to earn them with the responsibility of holding a job. The kids of today turn their noses up at these meager positions, even when between summer vacations and college. Mommy and Daddy pay their way again teaching them to be helpless. This American tragedy opens the door for illegal immigrants.

Companies and businesses must have workers, as they are the most important component of an enterprise. With the absence of the young American work force and the rising costs of production, businesses are forced to hire illegal immigrants. America has created this immigration problem that has become a double edged sword. Companies are hiring illegal immigrants to do the jobs that produce every day goods and services, keeping the production costs of these services down, while paying illegal immigrants less than minimum wages in unsafe working conditions. In retrospect, Americans aren’t willing to pay the higher prices when the production of the goods and services are performed by the American worker. This creates an undesirable blemish in the economy and enables businesses to get away with this practice, knowing damn well that their illegal hires won’t report conditions to the authorities.

Penalties for companies that hire illegal immigrants as workers are minimal and seldom are checked. This makes these workers the popular choice for big businesses. A reform mandated by the United States Government, should be placed on these companies, making it very undesirable to hire illegal immigrants. The American people also must be educated and reminded that the effect of hiring illegal immigrants affects the economy drastically, in the purchasing of goods and services. I truly hope that the successful 2008 Presidential Candidate will embrace this issue and restore our great country back to the Super power it once was!

RN writes about healthcare screening

2008-02-12T18:25:00.000-08:00

Preventative Health Care for Illegal Immigrants: A Less Expensive Alternative

An illegal immigrant is brought to the emergency room with vague complaints of night sweats, bloody sputum, a chronic cough and weight loss. He is diagnosed with multi-drug resistant tuberculosis, which can be deadly. Cases of multi-drug resistant tuberculosis are on the rise. A typical case can cost upwards of $250,000.00 and take up to two years to treat; however, treatment is often unsuccessful. Illegal immigrants often carry tuberculosis and other contagious diseases that are not detected until they show up in emergency rooms with full blown symptoms. Health care screening should be required at many work sites because illegal immigrants are often infected with a potentially lethal form of tuberculosis, and illegal aliens infected with tuberculosis is an unacceptable health risk.

The US should initiate increased screening into many hiring processes in order to detect TB before it is too late. Currently, legal immigrants and refugees coming to the US must undergo a chest X-Ray before immigration. If active disease is detected, treatment must be initiated before departure from their country of origin. However, screening is completely lacking on other categories of immigrants, such as undocumented immigrants or those with temporary work visas (CD SUMMARY 1-2).

Tuberculosis is a very serious disease and if an illegal immigrant is afraid to visit a health clinic because of fears of deportation, the disease will be spread to other people. Tuberculosis is spread through the air from one person to another and usually attacks the lungs but can attack other parts of the body as well. It can be an active or latent form of infection. If the disease is latent, a person is asymptomatic and can take medication that will prevent the disease from converting to an active infection (CDC 1). A person with tuberculosis can unknowingly infect dozens of people, depending on the amount of people they interact with at work, play, school or other public places. Physician Saba Kulathangan says all new immigrants should get a complete health examination, regardless of their legal status (Padden 1). If an illegal immigrant is offered a health care screening with a TB skin test, without the threat of deportation, others will be protected from contracting tuberculosis. If the TB skin test is positive, treatment will begin and the infected person will be quarantined. Treating one person is cost effective, even though the drugs are very expensive. If others are infected, the treatment costs skyrocket.

Illegal immigration and health care issues are hotly debated. No presidential candidate will offer health insurance to an illegal immigrant because that will nullify any chance of them winning an election. Instead, they talk about securing borders and increasing surveillance to prevent illegal immigrants from entering the country; however, an illegal immigrant will find a way into the country out of desperation. Some argue that illegal immigrants don’t deserve health care because they haven’t followed the proper channels to get into the United States. In reality, the cost of health care is a small price to pay compared to the staggering amount of money that would be needed to treat hundreds of individuals that are unknowingly infected with the disease. Immigration and health care reform have been debated for years, and a solution will not occur overnight.

Until healthcare screening is offered to illegal immigrants, other preventative measures can be put into place. A baseline TB screening should be completed on all new employees and students and a follow-up screening for TB risk factors completed yearly. Mandatory screening will decrease the chance of the infection being spread to the general population. If a TB test is positive, a follow up chest X-Ray will be completed and a treatment regimen will be implemented.

In a perfect world health care would be offered to illegal immigrants. Since that won’t happen anytime soon, we must take the responsibility of testing students, employees and others in the public sector to prevent the spread of tuberculosis in our country. We must do all we can to keep the people in our nation safe!

Gunnar - DR. MLK Response

2008-01-31T21:23:00.000-08:00

Dr. M. L. K. Response

In his “Letter from Birmingham Jail”, Dr. Martin Luther King confronts the Southern (Alabama) churches’ Clergymen on the topic of segregation and the lack thereof support, from its’ institution. Dr. King claims that the Negro community has suffered tremendously and has fought and will continue to fight peacefully for their constitutional rights as human beings. Dr. King demands respect and equality for all of mankind through peace and his love of God. He covers all bases in his argument for fair treatment of all people from all races, using detailed examples of discrimination of the African American people of different ages. Dr. King speaks eloquently and boldly through peace and perseverance from a cold and lonely jail cell, basically shaming these men of God. His statements radiate with objectivity and truth and his manner is calm and powerful. This Birmingham, Alabama jail cell simply cannot contain Dr. King’s strength and spirit as it pulls the rug out from underneath these clergymen, for Martin Luther King was a brilliant man.

They're coming to take me away ha ha!

2008-01-28T17:49:00.000-08:00

Hi, I'm twenty nine years old and nearly insane. I'm full time a ccc in maritime science, work four nights a week as a sanitation engineer, and a part time father of a screaming ball of vibrant energy known as a three year old girl. I'm currently going through a divorce/custody case, lots of back pain from an accident last year, and the joys of buying a lemon vehicle. Most of my life seems to involve walking up big hills. I have no life and I'm contemplating voluntary lobotomy so I can get some rest!

Peace and love Bonehead

The Sea Lion verses the Fleet

2008-01-28T17:43:00.000-08:00

The Sea Lion Verses the Fleet;
Conservation or Catastrophe?

The massive sleek-fur-covered head of a sea lion breaks the surface of the water, fifty pounds of chrome bright Chinook salmon gripped in its mighty jaws! It shakes the fish with savage zeal sending glistening drops of water, and blood froth flying in all directions, staining the water with a swirling crimson cloud. After a few moments the belly tares free. The hunter then releases the gut-ripped carcass to catch another, and the mangled fish sinks slowly out of sight. Our coastline specifically the Columbia River, hosts an annual gathering of marine life every salmon season. The most commonly complained about species being the sea lion. The two genuses of sea lion in the area are California sea lions, and Stellar or northern sea lions. These furry pinnipeds have been protected for many years now after almost being hunted to extinction (around fifty) for their skins and oil in the pre-1900’s era. This has been particularly effective, as evidenced by the great barking herds which have colonized the East End Mooring Basin, the disconnected tip of the south jetty, and any other basins, ports, or exposed rocks in the area. Sea lions are more prolific now then any other time in even vaguely recent history. Sharks and orcas are their only natural predators other than us, and there are not enough of them to control the population. I believe we should trim the herds as we do with other species.
The major complaint about sea lions, is that they kill a large percentage of the salmon, and Steelhead runs; they just gut rip them, and toss them aside, wasting almost the whole fish. Other complaints range from the sinking of docks, to attacks on unwary boat owners and dock goers. The issue has been a problem since the early 1990s, the lions continue to confound engineers and devour fish. The lions range from the ocean to the bottom of Bonneville dam, one hundred and forty five miles up river. Many of the fishermen both commercial and sport have asked for either a season or population control of some kind. One such proposal is to allow the harvesting of lions inside the buoy ten line, (which is also where the sport fishing begins for the river) while allowing them free run of the open sea(using only sonic deterrents like seal bombs to keep them away from the catch). This would allow the killing of any lions upriver of buoy ten in the mouth of the Columbia, while protecting those outside, and allowing them to hunt the water west of the river. Still more ask for open season on all sea lions in all fisheries, during the runs. A recent proposal by NOAA fisheries calls for the killing of thirty sea lions every year (only California lions would be targeted). The lions doing the mass killings at Bonneville Dam are California sea lions, while our local Stellar sea lions don’t travel farther up river than Longview. Stellar lions tend to prey on marine fish rather than salmon and steelhead. An adult sea lion can typically eat five to seven salmon per day. A single lion kills many fish but only eats a small percentage of what it kills. Year by year the fish counters read reduced numbers in the salmon population while we watch news reels of huge sea lions trapping fish after fish against the base of Bonneville dam’s fish ladders, and feasting on their guts discarding the meat in their haste to glut some more. Huge numbers of carcasses float unused to the bottom. This is especially frustrating to fishermen because the fisheries are in trouble, and that’s a fact. Some 100 sea lions consumed 3-4 percent of the 106,000 spring Chinook salmon run that passed the counters there (that’s 3,180 fish); state biologists say additional fish were consumed down river. Last year there were estimated to be 500-1,000 sea lions hunting the Columbia River (by the previously mentioned figure that’s potentially 15,900-31,800 fish). NOAA has recommended killing some thirty lions a year to deal with this issue, but is it enough? There are less fish and more lions (and people) than ever before. It is clear something must happen to create a balance in the ecosystem, the question is do we do it, or let nature have the ball, and wait for their food supply to control their numbers?
”They were here first, and it’s their ocean.” is a rallying call for the defenders of these sea wolves. What right do we have to dictate where or how another species hunts? Their ancestors hunted this river for thousands of years before humans even learned how to fish; doesn’t that give them the right to eat as many as they want? I agree with these statements. I am also a fisherman, and have deep feelings on the subject of my fish!
As we debate the issue many fishermen, both sport and commercial have taken matters into their own hands. This year biologists estimate they could kill up to ten percent of the spring run. Deterrent methods have escalated from seal bombs to 30-06 rounds, razor tipped arrows, and buckshot. Unfortunately in taking this course they have committed the same offence that the sea lions are guilty of, shameful waste. Doesn’t it make more sense to have a real lion season, so that harvesting (that is, killing and using as much of the carcass as possible) rather than wasting the animals would be the normal practice?
Pinnipeds were used for both oil and skin but also as a food source by many native peoples in ages past. I believe that if properly represented these products could be quite marketable. We could make local water proof clothing from the hides, and render the fat into homemade cooking oil, plus add another variety of exotic wild meat to the myriad already offered by our smoke shacks, and butchers. All of these could play on the tourist industry (more local income) and give the killing of these beasts some purpose other than just keeping them off the nets. The bottom line is as long as humans and pinnipeds compete for food sources we will be at odds. So why not remove as much waste as possible? We need to institute a reasonable and lucid management plan that both prevents over hunting, and keeps numbers within reason. This needs to happen soon for everyone’s sake.

Creepy Purple Hat Guy asking for donations

2008-01-28T17:35:00.000-08:00

The Abundant Applications of Weasel Technology.

If you saw a weasel running down the street, odds are your reaction would be little more then “Huh, that’s different.” It is difficult for me to think of a place where a persons reaction would be terribly different. Even should you encounter one on the oceans floor, or Mars, I suspect by the time you realized you had just seen a creature in a place it couldn't possibly survive, it would already be gone. The quick, agile little critters are also capable of sneaking in through the smallest openings. My proposal is quite simple, I want money to fund a research project to design robotic explosive weasels.

This may seem an unusual idea, but few know that our government actually developed a bat bomb during WWII. These bat bombs were incendiary devices attached to living bats. At least with my idea no real animals are harmed. Beyond that, my idea is very similar, albeit much easier to use in the civilian sector.

The applications of my weasel technology are abundant, especially if they were designed to be modular. Warfare would not only be safer for American citizens, it would also finally be cute! Imagine a platoon of robotic machine-gun weasels advancing on the battlefield. By the time the enemy realized they were being attacked by hundreds of weasels, the weasels could be in their camp. Robotic Weasels would present a much smaller target, about the size of a mans head, and thus be considerably more difficult to hit.

With proper use, the psychological effect could prevent the loss of human life on both sides. Say the weasels infiltrate the enemy camp, then simultaneously hundreds of robotic weasels broadcast a message to surrender, or "face a horrible 'splody death." Should they refuse, well you do have hundreds of bombs inside their base. Whatsmore, nuclear weapons can now be built roughly weasel-sized. What weapon could possibly be more effective then a tactical thermo-nuclear weasel? It could be made to give the enemy leader a hug, or an enema, before exploding. This would allow us to end a war with a single bomb, thus saving hundreds of thousands of lives.

Perhaps the most common response I get to this proposal is that we already have enough instruments of death. Currently our government is spending more money annually to develop devices of murder then they spend on things such as medical care, or education for our youth. Could our money not be better spent healing those who are hurt by currently existing weapons? A comprehensive government program to halt diseases, such as aids and cancer, would be far more useful then any number of weapons. Perhaps we could attempt to fix our obviously failing educational system?

Once weasel technology is in place, it can be easily converted to fulfill more egalitarian purposes. Demolitions would much more entertaining. Imagine, hundreds of weasels swarm a building, and within minutes the building explodes. What school, or library wouldn't want a dozen or so robotic flame-suppressant weasels? We could use tazer weasels to keep police out of harms way, and quickly end hostage situations without the loss of human life. Robotic rescue weasels would have been invaluable in the wake of 9/11. They could have saved many lives by searching the ruins and setting off signals when they found a survivor buried.

As you no doubt can see, robotic weasels have many uses. Military applications are the most abundant, but the technology could also save many lives. So if you think that war should be conducted by cute robotic weasels, and that our soldiers should stay out of harms way, please give generously. I am currently accepting donations of any size. Thank you in advance for whatever donations you see fit.

Katy Lady's We're Having A Baby

2008-01-28T14:23:00.000-08:00

The directions seemed really simple, pee on the absorbent end for 5 seconds and results will follow in about 2 minutes. I closed my eyes and followed the directions but for me the results came much sooner. It was positive and I saw all my hopes and all my dreams begin to diminish into a world of dirty diapers and sleepless nights. First I screamed, then I cursed and then I began to cry. I was pregnant! I had planned, I had been careful, and I wasn’t ready to become mom. Or was I? Why did this seem like such a curse? Why was I so scared? What would people say? I wasn’t married and although I was engaged, for some reason it didn’t feel like enough. Even though we had planned, this baby was coming and why would that be such a bad thing? Some people might say that having a baby before you are married is not right, but who are they to judge, when in this day in age so many women become mothers out of wedlock and do just fine.
The next day was full of telephone calls of the happy news. Yes this news was going to be happy. After a good night’s sleep and making sure that my fiancé shared in my excitement I began to tell everyone. Who cares what people would say? The ones that love me will stand and support my decision the others wont. There were mixed reactions from everyone, but most were happy for me. I was happy for me or at least I will try to convince myself of that. Could it be possible that the bad reactions were taking away my ever growing excitement? And why was I letting the negativity affect me? And was it all because of me not being married or were their deeper meanings to people’s reactions. With each growing hour I began to answer my own questions. I was happy and that’s really all that mattered.
No, I was not married but I was on my way. I had been planning my wedding for 4 months now and the only thing that would have to change is the way my dress was going to look. Back in the sixteen, seventeen and eighteen hundreds many couples would announce their engagement and after a night of starting the honeymoon far too soon a shotgun wedding would be preformed so as not to disgrace the family’s name. These days some traditions still exist but for me I have no reason to hide my blessing. If being married were a requirement for having a baby many people would not be alive today, including my self.
Others might say that it is a good idea to be married before you conceive a child. They give examples from the bible or teen pregnancy ratings or possibly even statistics about single mothers. They all have valid opinions and even some facts. However, I feel that having a baby, oops or planned, is something that should not be a curse or even something that you regret.

Cindy's "The Customer is Always Right?"

2008-01-28T13:42:00.000-08:00

The Customer is Always Right?

A man walks up to the bar and slurs "Gimme a beer." As he sways side to side I think to my self " that’s the last thing you need buddy." I offer a hot cup of coffee or a cool glass of water instead. Angered by my offer he proceeds to belligerently tell me all he wants is a damn beer. As he continues to argue his moot point I can’t help but wonder, if judgement is the first thing that alcohol affects, is the customer really always right?

The motto of the service industry has long been the customer is always right. These words that I painfully lived by as a waitress have become somewhat of a nuisance to me as a bartender. Customers come in to the bar expecting that they still stand true are unpleasantly surprised when they realize that a new motto is in affect. "We reserve the right to refuse service to anyone" is one of my favorite signs, which hangs above the entrance of the bar. When I am serving alcohol to the public I have the right to say enough is enough.

Many may feel that because they are paying for service that they should get all that they want. This is mostly true for the average diner. Good service should be expected. When it comes to alcohol, service should be given with a smile. When the unfortunate event of cutting someone off should arise, it should be done in a kind way. However it has to be done.

According to the Liquor Control Commission I not only have the right to stop feeding an intoxicated person alcohol I also have the obligation. As far as the law goes I am responsible for what happens to the customers inside and directly outside the bar if they are consuming alcohol. The fine for over-serving an intoxicated person is $5000.00, which I would have to pay out of pocket. Due to the fact that I am not independently wealthy, I will tell a person when I feel they have had enough.
Without trying to sound power hungry I feel that a new slogan should be instated. "The bartender knows best." People who are consuming alcohol are limited in judgement. Therefore on occasion they may need someone to suggest that they don’t have another. So the next time that you walk in to your local bar or tavern, try to remember that your server is not your personal slave, and they can take your alcohol from you when ever they see fit. Also remember that on occasion the customer is not always right.

Creepy Purple Hat guy say's hi!

2008-01-28T08:55:00.000-08:00

Hey there, this is the purple hat man. I'm not sure exactly what to say... I live in Astoria, OR. attending Clatsop CC for a transfer degree. My plans are to earn a PhD in quantum physics, then move to Sydney to be a beach bum. My life is almost completely consumed by collage work. So I don't have much of a social life. Well, all of you have fun! I'm sure you'll hear from me much more.

Alicia Posts, Martin Luther King Birmingham Letter Response

2008-01-26T17:51:00.001-08:00

Martin Luther King Juniors letter from the Birmingham Jail was written beautifully. He used the argumentive style to address the clergymen’s comments about his presence in Birmingham. He was writing explicitly but was able to paint a picture of what segregation was doing to families all over the world with his words (implicitly). He very affectively states the opposing side’s position and then he begins to destroy their side. He also conceded to the clergymen calling for negotiation, but also gave logical explanation for why they cannot do that until the government is ready to do so. “You are quite right in calling for negotiation. Indeed, this is the very purpose of direct action. Nonviolent direct action seeks to create such a crisis and foster such a tension that a community which has constantly refused to negotiate is forced to confront the issue.” Martin Luther King Junior was not only an amazing person and speaker; he was a beautiful writer and great arguer.

Alicia Posts, Dont Pass Gass: an argument agains LNG

2008-01-26T17:47:00.000-08:00

Imagine that you are sitting in your living room watching your children play on a typical Astoria day. When you look out the window to admire the beauty of the Columbia River you are horrified to see that a bright red tanker that is as long as 3 football fields and stands about 15 stories high trudging down the river (Green). Suddenly a gigantic streak of fire connects the tanker to downtown Astoria. The entire town goes up in flames in a matter of minutes and our magnificent river is now topped with a fireball that is burning at about 500 degrees Fahrenheit (Green). The fire is spreading quickly and it soon engulfs the entire town that we all call home. Although, many people believe the benefits of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) outweigh the dangers, having lower taxes is not worth the possibility of destroying the entire town of Astoria and its ecosystem.
The Texas Based NorthernStar Natural Gas Company has proposed a plan to build the first LNG import and storage terminal on the west coast (Columbia). It will be located about 20 miles east of Astoria at a place called Bradwood Landing (Columbia). This project will require them to dredge over 700,000 cubic feet of sediment from our precious Columbia River (Columbia). The dredging will put a gigantic hole in the river right at the head of Clifton channel (a critical salmon rearing, migration and fishing area) (Columbia). Another downfall to this project is that they will be removing over a billion gallons of water and thousands of juvenile salmon a year just as dead weight in the tanks of the outgoing LNG tankers (Columbia).
So what is LNG anyway? It is natural gas that has been cooled to minus 259 degrees Fahrenheit (Energy). It is colorless, odorless, and weighs less than half the weight of water so it will float on water if spilled (Energy). It may not be explosive when in its liquid form but if enough LNG is spilled on water a Rapid Phase Transition (RPT) can occur (Energy). RPT occurs when the heat from the water is transferred to the spilt LNG causing it to immediately turn into its gas form (Energy). During the rapid transition between the liquid state and the gas state a mass amount of energy is released causing a physical explosion that will destroy anything close enough (Energy). RPT isn’t the only danger of LNG though. As a vapor it is explosive when mixed with air and in a flammable range of 5 -15 % (Energy). According to Sandia National Labs report “A vapor cloud from an LNG spill could extend to 2,500 m (1.55 miles), if an ignition source is not (immediately) available .The potential thermal hazards with a vapor cloud could be high” (Sandia). This means if a tanker is sitting in the Columbia River alongside Astoria and a leak occurs it could take out the entire town from the river to about the Youngs Bay Bridge (Sandia).
Even though NorthernStar is denying the accusations of using Oregon as a backdoor to providing California with natural gas, it is hard to ignore the fact that the terminal at Bradwood landing is going to contain more than twice the amount of natural gas that Oregon is currently using (COLUMBIA). Ken Zimmerman an analyst of resource markets with the Oregon public utility commission said it’s likely that three-quarters of the gas coming through an LNG terminal in Oregon would be sold to customers in the state to the south (Blue). So what is good about LNG? Many LNG supporters say that the economic benefits for our community will be very beneficial.
I do not deny that some of the economic benefits that will be brought along with having the LNG terminal here in Astoria are nice. Some of these benefits being a big increase in jobs for at least three years and a potential tax decrease because NorthernStar will be paying about $7,823,111 annually in property taxes. I ask you though, are these benefits worth the potential risks that come along with having a LNG terminal. Oregon Governor Ted Kulongoski described the federal environmental review of the proposed liquefied natural gas terminal as “Incomplete and Flawed” (Profita). Kulongoski believes there is a lack of federal analysis on whether or not the terminal is even needed (Profita). He also mentioned that there is an inadequate amount of data on the impacts to air and water quality, and most importantly a lack of mention in state emergency response requirements (Profita).
When the NorthernStar Gas Company has came up with a fool proof plan that will show exactly how they will prepare our town for the potential leaks and explosions and who is going to pay for them I will be more willing to accept LNG. The other problem we need to consider is that our Columbian Estuary is at risk of being destroyed when we have worked so hard on preserving it. Will we risk our safety, our home, and our beautiful river for lower taxes? I sure as heck won’t.

Sources:
1) Profita, Cassandra. “Governor: ‘Incomplete and Flawed’” The Daily Astorian 19 Dec. 2007
2) “Green Party USA.” LNG: The Next Battle Line. 13 Jan. 2008
3) “Sandia National Laboratories.” Guidance on Risk Analysis and Safety Implications of a Large Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Spill Over Water” Dec. 2004
4) “Blue Oregon.” Battles Over LNG Terminals and natural gas Pipelines in the News. 13 Jan. 2008
5) “Columbia River Keeper.” Proposed Liquefied Natural Gas(LNG) and Coal Plants Threaten Columbia Estuary. 13 Jan. 2008
6) “Energy California”. 13 Jan. 2008

MB Writes: Returning to College Following A Long Absence: Is It Worth The Wait?

2008-01-25T19:24:00.000-08:00

Going to college is a goal that many people have for a variety of reasons: some have their future careers all planned out before they even graduate from high school and eagerly enroll in the classes that will help them get their ideal job, while others simply want to experience what life is like being out on their own for the first time. Overall, obtaining higher education is extremely valuable because it increases earning potential; if someone delays their enrollment in college, they will have a more difficult time ever going back to school.

College graduates are much more marketable than students who only have a high school education. Attending college helps people become more well rounded and prepared to work with others. Students gain important communication and leadership skills if they go to college and get involved with clubs or other activities. Students also learn how to be responsible and organized in order to keep up with a demanding schedule and workload. These skills are necessary for success in a demanding career as well. Coincidentally, the more demanding a career is, the more money they can earn when the career is one that requires higher education. More importantly, students gain extensive knowledge and receive specialized training in a specific field of interest. They will be able to apply their knowledge in the workforce, which is very valuable to employers.

Some students graduate from high school and have no interest in college. Occasionally they find a job that pays more right out of school, so they don’t need to attend college. They might need the money, so the job sounds more appealing than attending college. Other students enjoy partying and are unable to concentrate on schoolwork. Sometimes, circumstances intervene, such as an unplanned pregnancy or a death in the family. In these instances, I agree that attending college wouldn’t be the right choice.

Sometimes people are unable to go to college when they graduate from high school, because it is so expensive; families may not have enough money to invest in their children’s education. When people can’t go to college for these reasons, or they simply put off college for any personal reason, they find that it is very difficult to ever go back to school. Whether they never saved up enough money, or they got wrapped up in other aspects of life (like getting married and having kids) people get stuck in their routines and have trouble rearranging their lives and schedules to accommodate a college education.

The National Center for Education Statistics reports that the proportion of the undergraduate population that has delayed enrollment has increased over the past decade, in part due to the growing numbers of non-traditional students (Bozick, DeLuca 2005). Based on personal experience with being a nontraditional student and returning to school after a long delay, I know firsthand how difficult it can be to go back to college. I graduated from high school in 1976 but didn’t pursue college. My family didn’t teach me to value a college education (my parents were very old-fashioned and didn’t feel that girls should go to college). I began working at Wauna Paper Mill. I worked there and elsewhere for 13 years and returned to school in 1989. I graduated with a Registered Nursing Degree in 1992 and have attempted several times to return
to college to earn my Bachelor’s Degree.

One reason that it has been so difficult for me to get my Bachelor’s Degree is that I have a well paying job. It would be hard to sacrifice the time and money that I could be earning during the time that I would take off to go to school. Plus, I am very intimidated by new technology that I have never been trained to use before. For example, I have never written a paper on the computer, and it is very overwhelming. Lastly, a huge reason why it has been hard to go back school is that I have a family that demands all of my free time and energy.

In retrospect, I wish that I had gone directly to college when I graduated from high school, or at least finished a BSN when I was in college the first time. Ultimately, if I do receive my degree, it will be worth the wait. I will have more options when it comes to employment, and I will be able to get retirement benefits, which I am not currently receiving due to my lack of education. Once again, obtaining higher education is extremely valuable when it comes to increasing earning potential. Unfortunately, I did delay my enrollment in college, but now I am back in school and know that the end result will be worth the wait.

Martin Luther King Response

2008-01-25T16:41:00.000-08:00

Mary Brown
Ms. Cook
WR 122
25 January 2008

Martin Luther King, Jr. has a very persuasive writing style. His writing is very explicit, but it is still easy to visualize (implicit style) what he is writing about. When he describes small children who don’t understand why they can’t use the same restroom or eat in the same diner as white people, the reader can visualize the bewilderment and low self esteem that the child is feeling.
The sadness that Martin Luther King, Jr. feels is tangible in his writing. He doesn’t understand how people can be so blind and unwilling to take a stand on issues that they know are important. Segregation is unjust, and it needs to be abolished.
America is very lucky that Martin Luther King’s dream has lived on even after he was murdered. The civil rights movement has come a long way, largely in part due to his bravery and willingness to take a stand against unjust laws.

Good Ol Boy: On the Subject Of Missionary work

2008-01-22T19:30:00.000-08:00

JJ Alvord
Ms. Cook
WR122
21 January 2008

To Preach or Not to Preach

Although people put forth their best effort to be respectful when it comes to someone else’s religion, clashes happen when someone insists that their religion is the right one and your religion is the wrong one. When you see such clashes the question comes to mind; does missionary work do more harm then good? Should religions send out missionaries to convert others? People who identify with a religious sect do so because they believe that their religion is the only true church out there; should they share that truth?
If you spend enough time with a large variety of people, you will find yourself having to defend your religious beliefs or the lack thereof. In my experience, I have seen Methodists arguing with Lutherans and Catholics arguing with Baptists or visa versa, all over their specific doctrines. Everyday friendships are weakened because of a disagreement about religious doctrines or principles. Church members are all encouraged to bring more into the fold and that teenagers should start bringing their friends of different faiths to a youth night, all because they want to bring more people to the “truth”.
Missionaries are sent out every day by church leaders to, do exactly that, bring more people to the “truth”; to convert people to the religion the missionary represents. Missionaries are not sent to antagonize community members but in most cases people don’t want to be told that what they have believed in for their entire life is wrong.
Some may argue that missionaries are not there to offend anyone, but instead they are there to inform the people of what a specific religion believes; depending on what church the missionary belongs to. By doing this missionaries can clear up any misconceptions there might be about specific religions, and in the process stop persecution. From my own experience I have seen a need for this type of missionary work. I have been in situations were friends have told me that I worship a man named Joseph Smith and not God or Jesus Christ. My Sisters Ex-boyfriend believed that she had been brain washed and was part of a cult. It is these types of misconceptions that missionaries are striving to put an end to; for all religions.
It cannot be denied that missionaries serve a purpose. This purpose can be seen negatively or positively, it all depends on what side you are standing on. Missionaries can be considered antagonizing, trying to insult another’s religion, or they can be viewed as teachers, trying to clear up some misconceptions.
I personally belief that there is no harm to missionary work, and it is important, for us to coexist, to understand each other. A Missionary is man specifically called by the church leaders to clear up any misconceptions and stop persecution. The reason why missionary work is important to me is because I have to constantly defend my self from people who consider me less of a person because of what they believe I believe.

Good Ol Boy: response to Martin Luther King Jr's Letter from Bimingham Jail

2008-01-22T19:04:00.000-08:00

I was very impressed with Martin Luther King, JR’s letter from Birmingham Jail. Immediately after reading the first paragraph that you can see that MLK was a very intelligent man. His word choice and the order he addresses each point his fellow Clergymen criticized shows how much education this man has had.
I think MLK was very bold but correct when comparing himself with Christian Prophets of old. Preaching and traveling to different states MLK was reducing racism but being punished for it by being imprisoned and criticized, just like Prophets preaching Christianity.
MLK was a pacifist and believed in non-violent protests; following in the footsteps of Gandhi. It is interesting, I noticed, how MLK takes this approach of passive aggressive approach in his letter. I believe that MLK was very passive aggressive in his letter to these clergymen especially in the fifth Paragraph; “…Your Statement I am sorry to say, fails to express a similar concern for the conditions that brought about the demonstrations. I am sure that none of you would want to rest content with the superficial kind of social analysis that deals merely with effects and does not grapple with underlying causes.”
MLK can be seen as the voice of a people and I believe that is best represented in this letter. MLK fought for the end of racism and persecution of the African American race. MLK was challenged for his participation in these demonstrations and he gladly answered defending not only himself but his people in this letter.

Martin Luther King, JR (response)

2008-01-22T13:04:00.000-08:00

Jennifer Goodwin
Nancy Cook
WR122
20 January 2008

Martin Luther King, JR.
Letter from Birmingham Jail

My first impression of Mr. Kings letter was, “ Oh my Lord!” I was impressed with the style of his writing, the intelligence of his wording, and the way he justified his actions. He was very blunt but truthful. He explained his interpretations of the difference between just and unjust laws, why they were demonstrating against the segregation, and how he was disappointed in the churches stance on segregation. He provided quotes from famous people and from the bible to prove his point. He was nonviolent person, which shows that you don’t need strong actions to make your point. He was called an extremist in paragraph 31, and he concedes that point with quotes from influential people.
In paragraph 30, he wrote, “ Oppressed people cannot remain oppressed forever. The yearning for freedom eventually manifests itself, and that is what has happened to the American Negro.” The American Negro has the right and privileges as any other human being. Race and skin color are just another patch in the quilt of life that makes it beautiful.

Physician-Assisted Suicide Should we Toast to Them or Just Toast Them?

2008-01-22T13:01:00.000-08:00

Jennifer Goodwin
Nancy Cook
WR122
13 January 2008

Physician-Assisted Suicide
Should We Toast to Them or Just Toast Them?

Lying in a hospital bed at home, you are trying to decide which part of your body is in the most pain: your back, your head, your legs, or just all over. The pain is overwhelming your thinking; you can’t even speak without it causing more. You have been to a dozen or more doctors and specialist in the last year to know that there is nothing they can do for you. Realizing this, and knowing that you have six more months of excruciating pain that will only worsen, you call upon the only person to help; your doctor, who has been with you since this all began. You ask for certain medications that will end your suffering sooner. You have weighed the pros and cons of this issue for quite sometime, knowing that one day it will come down to making a decision. You take the medicine. Now, the question arises, “Was the doctor who prescribed the medicine right or was he wrong?” Physician-assisted suicide (PAS) is something that I strongly agree on and only as the last resort. I cannot see a person suffer under these circumstances.
For centuries, dating back to Ancient Greece and Rome (around 5th Century B.C.- 1st Century B.C.) the pros and cons of physician-assisted suicide, or PAS, have and still are, an ongoing debate. The pros, to which I agree on, argues that: A person’s right to die: a competent person should have the right to choose death. Compassion: Suffering means more than just pain there are other physical and psychological burdens. Individual liberty vs. state interest: Though society has strong interest in preserving life, that interest lessens when a person is terminally ill and has a strong desire to end life. A complete prohibition on assisted death excessively limits personal liberty. Openness of discussion: Some would argue that assisted death already occurs, albeit in secret. Legalization of PAS would promote open discussions without the fear of criminal charges.
The cons argue that: Sanctity of life, where strong religious and secular traditions are against taking a human life. It is argue that assisted suicide is morally wrong because it contradicts these beliefs. Potential for abuse: This argument is that certain groups of people, lacking access to care and support, may be pushed into assisted death. Professional integrity: Historical ethical traditions of medicine. Fallibility of the profession: Doctors make mistakes. Passive vs. active distinction: The important difference between passively “letting die” by withholding or refusing treatment is justifiable, whereas PAS equated to killing “active” and is not justifiable.
Now, I will concede to the argument on the sanctity of life but with some reserve. Suicide is a sin, but so is suffering in excruciating pain, and the hardships that are put on the family members watching and not being able to relieve it. To me that is a sin. I would not let my family suffer like that. The other arguments concerning potential for abuse and the fallibility of the profession I will refute these with the requirements of the Death with Dignity Act of Oregon.
The only state that has made PAS legal is Oregon. The Oregon statute called “Death with Dignity Act” was voted first in 1994 and again in 1997. Under Oregon’s Death with Dignity Act (DWDA), terminally ill adult Oregonians are allowed to obtain and use prescriptions from their physicians for self-administered, lethal medications. Under the Act, ending one’s life in accordance with the law does not constitute suicide. The DWDA specifically prohibits euthanasia, where a physician or other person directly administers a medication to end another’s life.
The requirements for a patient to request the lethal medications are as follows:
· An adult (18 years of age or older),
· A resident of Oregon,
· Capable (defined as able to make and communicate health care decisions), and
· Diagnosed with a terminal illness that will lead to death within six months.
Patients meeting these requirements are eligible to request a prescription for lethal medication from a licensed Oregon physician. The following steps must be fulfilled to receive a prescription for the lethal medication:
· The patient must make two oral requests to his or her physician, separated by at least 15 days.
· The patient must provide a written request to his or her physician, signed in the presence of two witnesses.
· The prescribing physician and a consulting physician must determine whether the patient is capable.
· If either physician believes the patient’s judgment is impaired by a psychiatric or psychological disorder, the patient must be referred for a psychological examination.
· The prescribing physician must inform the patient of feasible alternatives to DWDA, including comfort care, hospice care, and pain control.
· The prescribing physician must request, but may not require, the patient to notify his or her next-of-kin of the prescription request.
To comply with the law, physicians must report to the Department of Human Services all prescriptions for lethal medications. Physicians and patients who adhere to the requirements of the Act are protected from criminal prosecution, and the choice of DWDA cannot affect the status of a patient’s health or life insurance policies. The Oregon Revised Statutes specify that action taken in accordance with the DWDA does not constitute suicide, mercy killing or homicide under the law. Since this Act was passed in 1997, 292 patients have died under the terms of the law. So, the question is “Was the doctor right or wrong in prescribing the lethal medications?” The doctor was right if he complied with the DWDA and in my heart and soul he was right.

Gunnar Allen: Dad or dollar sign

2008-01-21T19:48:00.000-08:00

Gunnar Allen
Ms. Cook
Writing 122
January 28, 2008

DAD OR DOLLAR SIGN

Although paying Child Support is necessary and it is the law, the “dead-beat dad’s” of the past have created bias in the court system. Judgments regarding Child Support prove to favor the mother in most cases, creating a hostile environment to all those involved. Prejudice prevails and hurts those of us dad’s who have paid and do pay and care. Unfortunately our children pay the ultimate price with our absence caused by unjust support amounts brewed up on the Child Support Calculator. This system is used to determine the amount a parent should pay per child. It uses a point system factoring in each parents income, potential earnings, health insurance contributions, overnights and much more. The Child Support Enforcement Agency pits the mother and father against each other leaving the child/children torn between the two, and this can be financially and emotionally crippling.
In my case, I pay Child Support for my fifteen year old son named .Dakota, who lives in Shoreline, WA just north of Seattle, with his mother. Dakota’s mother has not made life easy for either of us. I love him more than anything and have done and will continue to do the best I can for him. Dakota’s mother, whom I’ll call Satan I, was born and raised money hungry and always will be, along with the ugly word selfish. The year was 1993, Satan I and I parted ways in an ugly split, she took our son. In 1994 while in Maritime school and a poor student, I was served papers for a court ordered hearing. With no job, no representation and no money, I was ordered to pay two hundred eleven dollars per month which seemed like a million to a kid who didn’t have a damn dime to his name. This was my first taste of the court system favoring the mother. Since then things have only gotten worse. Today I pay seven hundred dollars a month which is down from eight hundred forty thanks to the arrears finally being paid off. I pay this for my son, who doesn’t see a dime of it nor his father for that matter. After much research on the Internet, I have found the “National average for Child Support to be four hundred dollars per child per month". It makes you wonder doesn’t it?
Every two years Child Support is reviewed and adjusted accordingly by the courts and the Child Support Enforcement Agency. Enter Satan II, Carol Birney, the head Child Support enforcement officer of Clatsop County and one evil woman! This adjustment is called a modification and is based on the above stated calculator as well as Satan I’s request for an increase. My support went from two hundred eleven to four eighty nine per month this modification. Within the allotted sixty day grace period I appealed this decision and hired a lawyer. This maneuver made me look like a “dead-beat dad” to the courts and obviously to Satan II, and I lost the hearing again. Through the process I lost legal fees and gained an increase in my support in the amount of five hundred and thirty three dollars. On top of the increase the amount of twenty eight hundred and change dollars in arrears was inherited by me, going back retro to the beginning of the modification. This flagged and ruined my perfect credit and the new total damage including arrears was six hundred and thirty nine dollars and sixty cents. My lawyer recommended that we do not appeal this as the amount would go up again. Why I asked? I received no clear or just answer.
Oregon State Law requires that garnishment of wages be made through employers to alleviate the “dead-beat dad” problem. This system works great and isn’t an issue, nor is paying Child Support. The argument is solely the amount to be paid. How much is enough? These prejudiced judgments financially crippled and devastated me. For example, while I was working on the Salvage Chief during the summer months, the money was minimal. After garnishment of Child Support and taxes, I was left with four hundred dollars to pay one thousand dollars worth of bills, buy groceries and gas to travel to Seattle to pick up my son for visitation. Needless to say I didn’t get to see my son which gives his mother more points and more money according to Satan II’s Child Support calculator. Carol Birney’s biased calculations have cost Dakota and I valuable father son time that we will never get back!
There are steps however; a parent can take in this battle for justice, though they haven’t worked for me thus proving bias and perhaps a conflict of interest. These processes are called “Request for Review” and “Change in Circumstance” and they require the agency to look deeper into the case. I followed protocol and stated my case, showing documentation of missed visitation and my total financial situation, looking for justice for Dakota and I. Satan II discounted my claims and raised my support amount to six ninety nine. Shortly thereafter, like a storm from hell, Satan I reported to Satan II that Dakota’s Orthodontia be included in my support amount. May I state that Orthodontia is not a mandatory procedure and is purely cosmetic. Although Satan I had turned down my health insurance, a percentage was factored into the support amount that I had already paid. Now Satan II added the Orthodontia bill to my support amount calling it arrears. My support skyrocketed to eight hundred forty per month! This lengthened the distance between Dakota and I more so.
I know the cost of raising a child is going up, especially when an interest in sports and other hobbies and activities increases. I understand that visits to the doctor or dentist add up quickly. The cost of living increases continually as the economy worsens. Mine has three-fold. I am very thankful that Dakota lives a very comfortable life in Seattle. I argue though, doesn’t he deserve the same from his father’s side of the spectrum? Do I not deserve the right to provide for my son from my own household? Do I not deserve a life with my son? Unfortunately it’s all in the hands of Carol Birney!
Satan I’s husband knocks down one hundred fifty thousand plus bonus in salary per year. Satan I doesn’t work. So I ask Carol Birney and the courts, who is rightfully claiming my son on their W-4 form for taxes? I make a meager thirty eight thousand per year, so I ask why when comparing incomes via Child Support Calculator, is Satan I’s potential salary used instead of her husbands in arriving at a support amount, especially when my son is using their last name. Satan II’s unjust calculations have empowered Satan I and have taken me out of the picture even more so in my son’s life. An example of this would be that Dakota and I cannot and will not communicate via his cell phone because I am not a Verizon customer. Satan I’s orders! I am his father for Christ sakes! The Child Support Agency has created this monster of a situation due to pure and simple discrimination!
Recently the amount of support that I pay has dropped from eight forty to seven hundred dollars thanks to me paying off the arrears. Still this amount is truly unjust when the national average is four hundred dollars per child per month. For what reason is Satan II making an example of me? I have tried everything that I know to resolve this injustice including speaking with Oregon State Senator, Betsy Johnson. I need a damn good pro-bono lawyer and a fair judge and the removal of Satan II from the Clatsop County Child Support Enforcement Agency office. Carol Birney’s prejudice, backed by the system has cost me. I have suffered tremendously emotionally and financially, but the real question is how much has Dakota suffered with the absence of his father.

NC Writes: Teecher Lady Again

2008-01-20T22:59:00.000-08:00

Yes, in between feeding my squawking mammal child, I was able to check in on your progress here. good work! I like the profiles (special kudos to Gunnar, RN and Katy Girl). And next week I will have to check in on a few of you (who managed to sucessfully conceal your identity). Remember for this week, we're responding to the MLK reading, and it counts as a Take Home quiz. Here's a sample response.

Good Ol Boy

2008-01-20T15:08:00.000-08:00

Hello everyone I am a high school senior and I plan to get a degree in secondary education specifically Accounting. I love football both watching it and playing it. I am originally from the great Midwestern state Iowa. I am currently enrolled in Writing 122 and World Lit. I can’t wait to get to know you all

Metal Head

2008-01-17T11:04:00.000-08:00

Hello from cyber space, or somethin'.

I really don't know what I'm doing but as it is required I should probably type some general stuff about who I am and what I like to do.

First off I'm am poor unemployed college student waiting for my scholarship to kick in so I can buy text books. This is a drag, because I can't do homework or study, but hey I'm winging it.

I like to drive really fast through town, taking the side streets so I can drift around corners.

I love heavy metal and usually have the volume of my stereo turned to maximum. Whiplash is a good thing.

I like to rant about George Bush, politics, people, and just about everything else as well.

Cindy

2008-01-14T22:38:00.000-08:00

My name is Cindy and I am 24 years old. I am bartender, a student, a fiance, but first and foremost a mother. My daughter Cailyn is 8 months old and the sunshine of my life. I have two black labs (very original for Chinook, WA) that are usually stopping traffic at the coffee shop next door. I am currently enrolled in writing 122 at Clatsop CC and I can't wait to post my essays for all to see.

Cat Lover

2008-01-14T12:32:00.000-08:00

Hello everyone. My name is Jennifer, and as you can tell I love cats. I have one cat, her name is Snowball. She is my owner, which she doesn't let me forget. She is 12 years young and loves to chase her tail while doing back flips. My goal in life is to become an RN. It will happen one of these days, until then I am a CNA at Seaside Hospital. I love working with the elderly due to the fact we have so much in common. Well good luck to all of us in writing 122 it should be fun.

Gunnar Allen

2008-01-13T20:08:00.000-08:00

My name is Gunnar Allen. I am a 38 year old father, instructor and student. I grew up in Astoria, OR and have spent my career working in the Maritime Industry. I am currently the Bosun at Tongue Point Seamenship and a student in Nancy Cooks Writing 122 class. My goal, and I will say with confidence that I will obtain this goal, is to secure a position in the Business side of the Maritime Industry. I am juggling, work, college and getting my 1600 ton Mate/100 ton Master at Clatsop's M.E.R.T.'s center. Life is busy! Speaking of like, I love the outdoors and spend as much time as possible on my family's tree farm. It's a damn good way to stay in shape. I hunt deer and elk during their respective seasons like a madman and respect nature to the utmost. My true passion is music as I used to have hair down to my ass and play guitar. I still pick it up and will always have a guitar in the house. I definitely believe that you should treat every person as you would like to be treated yourself and surround yourself with positive people.

RN adds picture

2008-01-12T19:41:00.000-08:00

It's awfully fun to play with a computer without any prior training but here goes! These flowers remind me of daisies we grew about 10 years ago when we first started in the nursery business. I really didn't mean to post 2 pictures. The flowers are pretty, aren't they?

RN speaks on the stress of returning to school after several years of work and being a mom.

2008-01-12T18:47:00.000-08:00

Hi,
My name is Mary. You know me, the oldest person in the class. It's kind of awkward, returning to school after a 15-year hiatus. I'm a mom. My daughter, Lillian, is finishing her degree at OSU. She will be an elementary school teacher. She is married to Nate. He plays bass in a band called Action Panther. I've been married for 25 years, which is quite an achievement in this day and age. I feel sorry for my husband, Surgay. He is left alone all day while I am at work at CRV or taking classes at CCC. Anyway, I'm hoping to finish up my BSN. It will open new doors. I've been in geriatric nursing for 15 years and would like to try hospital nursing for a change.
My husband and I grow beautiful hanging baskets, which we market in the spring. This is our hobby job. I love designing beautiful palettes of flowers that people can enjoy. It is nice when customers come into the greenhouse and spend close to an hour trying to pick out a basket. It makes it worthwhile to realize that the amount of time you put into something is really appreciated. Hopefully, putting time into an education will reap the same kinds of benefits.

Katy Lady

2008-01-11T13:37:00.000-08:00

So a little about a me, well I am 22 years old and a Seattle Native. I moved to Astoria about a year and a half ago. Went through a couple toads then met my prince charming. I now live with him and his 2 beautiful girls. So for the last 6 months I have been planning my wedding, getting to know my fiance and learing my role as the not so evil step-mother all the while working full time and going back to school. In the last couple weeks I found out there would be a new addition to our home, like we need anymore, and I couldn't be more excited. Though Deon and I are trying to figure out how to stuff 3 cats, a dog, 3 kids (mind you one is a teenager), a guinea pig and 2 adults into our already squished 3 bedroom apartment, while continuing to smile and a trying to have a decent sex life. I can't wait to see what Nancy has in store for us this quarter and what adventures we might encounter in the process!!!

Alicia

2008-01-10T16:58:00.000-08:00

HI!!
I am a 19 year old, Straight A (so far), full-time student here at Clatsop Community College and I am enjoying every minute of it. I am currently working on my business transfer degree so I can eventually transfer to Portland State University and begin working toward my International Business Degree. While I am not at school I am working at one of my 3 jobs as a sales associate in an art store, a coach for the Clatsop County Special Olympics and as a school secretary. I really enjoy all of my jobs but they will never be as entertaining to me as playing with my boyfriend Dennis and our “children”. Hemi is the older of the two she is an adorable 85 pound American Staffordshire Terrier that loves to cuddle up on the couch and watch T.V. The younger of the two is definitely the baby of the family mostly just because of her size. Harley is a tiny 5 pound Pomeranian Chihuahua that spends most of her time torturing Hemi. So that’s who I am a dog loving, overachieving, workaholic

Cali Girl

2008-01-10T15:10:00.000-08:00

I am 23 years old and I am currently attending Clatsop Community College to persue a career in Criminal Justice. I am also a mother. (Yes, I am one of the unwed mothers in our class.) My son's name is Julian, and he is eight years old. He currently lives in California with my mom. If you couldn't tell by the title "Cali Girl" I am from California. I grew up in the city of San Bernardino, which is located in Southern California. I moved here to Astoria, Oregon about four months ago. (What was I thinking.)
More about me: My favorite subjuct in school is english (maybe because my mom is an english professor, i dunno). The subjects I hate are any other subject besides english like math, history and science. Beside school, work, and homework the little free time I have is mostly spent with my husband. I do have to admit my life is pretty boring the majority of the time.

Teecher Lady

2008-01-07T09:28:00.001-08:00

I'm the teecher lady who just had a baby. In addition to being a full time milk cow, I'm the one who holds the hammer (yes, the bloggers above will earn get a grade). The rules are simple. Before 1/14/08 all students should post a little profile with a graphic... similar in lenght and format to what I'm doing here. Describe yourself in 150-200 words. Then, as the quarter progresses, we'll post our essays and respond. For full credit, students should post each of their four essays and, before the end of the quarter, reply to at least ten student posts with a few sentences of thoughtful response.

More about me: I love teaching argumentation because I beleive all good citizens need to understand the basics of rhetoric in order to participate effectively in public (and sometimes private) life. I also believe in writing as a means of having a voice in our worlds. By finding our voice, we find our values. By finding our voices, we each become agents for change in our worlds. In the beginning there was the word, and resurrecting the word, retaining the power of the word is an important human endeavor.