Sunday, April 24, 2016
"All The President's Men" Questions
Exercise #1:
Carl Bernstein: Washington Post reported assigned to investigate the Watergate scandal
Ben Bradlee: the executive editor for the Washington Post
Patrick Buchanan: Nixon's senior advisor
Archibald Cox: first Watergate special prosecutor
H.R. “Bob” Haldeman: White House Chief of Staff to President Nixon
E. Howard Hunt: President's special investigation unit
Leon Jaworski: second Watergate special prosecutor
G. Gordon Liddy: organized and directed the burglary of the Democratic National Commitee Headquarters
James McCord: former CIA officer charged with burglary during the Watergate scandal
Bob Woodward: original, young reporter working on the Watergate scandal
Exercise #2:
Background:
1. The date is June 17, 1972.
2. Five men are about to be caught breaking into the Washington DC offices of the Democratic National Committee located in the Watergate building.
3. Their purpose for the break in: to plant bugs in various offices
4. A Republican, Richard Nixon, is president. He was first elected in 1968, and is running for a second term. He wins.
5. Thanks largely to the work of two reporters from the Washington Post newspaper, Nixon's administration is found to be guilty of:
a) unethical and illegal campaign activities
b) the misuse of hundreds of thousands of dollars of unaccounted for campaign donations, and
c) a political espionage campaign headed by the Committee to Re-elect the President, and involving the White House, campaign officials, and Justice department.
6. By the time it's all over in the summer of 1974, many White House officials and others are charged and convicted of felonies, and do serious jail time, and faced with impeachment, President Nixon resigns.
Vocabulary:
1. bugging: covert listening device
2. Canuck letter: was a forged letter to the editor of the Manchester Union Leader, published February 24, 1972, two weeks before the New Hampshire primary of the 1972 United States presidential election.
3. Committee to Re-Elect the President: a fundraising organization for President Nixon's administration.
4. cover up: an attempt to prevent people's discovering the truth about a serious mistake or crime
5. covert operations: an operation that is so planned and executed that as to conceal the identity of or permit plausible denial by the sponsor
6. deep background: the status of an interview which must not be quoted in a publication, even without attribution
7. General Accounting Office: the arm of Congress that investigates how the government spends tax dollars
8. on the record: used in reference to making of an official or public statement
9. set up: a scheme intended to deceive someone
10. slush fund: a reserve of money used for illicit purposes
11. verbatim notes: using the exact same words
Essay:
1. He means by that statement that the freedom of the press might be at stake if it our harms the future of our country. However, it could be beneficial if in the end our country ends up not being harmed.
2. It is important to "follow the money" because there were so many media driven myths that they had to follow what they knew was correct.
Thursday, January 21, 2016
"Wag the Dog" Questions
1) Explain the metaphor 'wag the dog'. What does the title of the film suggest?
The metaphor of wag the dog is the fact that a dog can be in charge of wagging a dog's tail, therefore, the "dog" is whoever is in charge. The title of this film suggests that the media is the dog that controls how people behave and act upon things.
2) Who is Mr. Fix-it? What does he do?
Mr. Fix-it is Conrad Breen. He is the one who gives the media relations from the president.
3) What is the significance of the producer's house being bigger than the White House? What message does that relay?
The significance of this is in reality the producer is more powerful than the president. He has more money and more control and can choose what is shown in the media.
4) Explain the significance of ' We remember the slogans, but we don't remember the war,' in terms of media's effectiveness.
The significance of this is that slogans stick with us. If we are hearing the message the media is trying to display to us, it is more likely that we will remember the slogan the media created.
5) Explain the significance of “Of course there’s a war; I’m seeing it on TV!” in terms of media’s effectiveness.
The significance of this is that people tend to believe what is shown to them. News is the way of "educating" the public in a sense, so the general public who doesn't have the ability to see what is going on behind the scenes takes the pieces of information in the news as fact, no matter what.
6) Who seems more powerful, the producer, or the President? Why?
The producer seems more powerful because he is in control of what is put out in the media. The producer decides when the president is shown and has the ability to make him say what he says to his audience.
7) The merchandising of products such as the “303 Burger” which Schuman “ate” behind enemy lines is often reflected in our society today. Provide another example of this type of merchandising.
Microsoft products being placed throughout the seasons of the TV show, "Parks and Recreation."
The metaphor of wag the dog is the fact that a dog can be in charge of wagging a dog's tail, therefore, the "dog" is whoever is in charge. The title of this film suggests that the media is the dog that controls how people behave and act upon things.
2) Who is Mr. Fix-it? What does he do?
Mr. Fix-it is Conrad Breen. He is the one who gives the media relations from the president.
3) What is the significance of the producer's house being bigger than the White House? What message does that relay?
The significance of this is in reality the producer is more powerful than the president. He has more money and more control and can choose what is shown in the media.
4) Explain the significance of ' We remember the slogans, but we don't remember the war,' in terms of media's effectiveness.
The significance of this is that slogans stick with us. If we are hearing the message the media is trying to display to us, it is more likely that we will remember the slogan the media created.
5) Explain the significance of “Of course there’s a war; I’m seeing it on TV!” in terms of media’s effectiveness.
The significance of this is that people tend to believe what is shown to them. News is the way of "educating" the public in a sense, so the general public who doesn't have the ability to see what is going on behind the scenes takes the pieces of information in the news as fact, no matter what.
6) Who seems more powerful, the producer, or the President? Why?
The producer seems more powerful because he is in control of what is put out in the media. The producer decides when the president is shown and has the ability to make him say what he says to his audience.
7) The merchandising of products such as the “303 Burger” which Schuman “ate” behind enemy lines is often reflected in our society today. Provide another example of this type of merchandising.
Microsoft products being placed throughout the seasons of the TV show, "Parks and Recreation."
Thursday, January 14, 2016
"Jakarta Attack Raises Fears of ISIS’ Spread in Southeast Asia"
Joe Cochrane and Thomas Fuller (NY Times)
This article discusses the ISIS attack that occurred in Jakarta, Indonesia. The Syrian civil war has induced a lot of hatred in the middle east and now it is feared that they moved on to places in Indonesia and Southeast Asia. Terrorism has occurred a lot in Indonesia currently and is increasing. They are hoping to end this soon.
I cannot imagine this happening, even though I know it is occurring. I have heard about ISIS so much recently and it is really scary to think that people want to put that kind of hate in the world. I hope we can figure out a way soon how to end it.
READ THE FULL ARTICLE
This article discusses the ISIS attack that occurred in Jakarta, Indonesia. The Syrian civil war has induced a lot of hatred in the middle east and now it is feared that they moved on to places in Indonesia and Southeast Asia. Terrorism has occurred a lot in Indonesia currently and is increasing. They are hoping to end this soon.
I cannot imagine this happening, even though I know it is occurring. I have heard about ISIS so much recently and it is really scary to think that people want to put that kind of hate in the world. I hope we can figure out a way soon how to end it.
READ THE FULL ARTICLE
"A Push to Make Harvard Free Also Questions the Role of Race in Admissions"
Stephanie Saul (NY Times)
This article discussed how there is a push to make Harvard University free and the impact it would play on race throughout admissions. Universities like Harvard have large endowments and some feel as though it is not racially diverse enough and with it free, they do not know the impact that race would create.
Being someone applying to college, it is crazy to me how simple things like race can determine whether you get into certain colleges or not. I think that diversity is necessary, however, people should get into the schools they deserve to get into, because of the work they put in, not because they are one race over another.
READ THE FULL ARTICLE HERE
This article discussed how there is a push to make Harvard University free and the impact it would play on race throughout admissions. Universities like Harvard have large endowments and some feel as though it is not racially diverse enough and with it free, they do not know the impact that race would create.
Being someone applying to college, it is crazy to me how simple things like race can determine whether you get into certain colleges or not. I think that diversity is necessary, however, people should get into the schools they deserve to get into, because of the work they put in, not because they are one race over another.
READ THE FULL ARTICLE HERE
"Sexual Attacks Widen Divisions in European Migrant Crisis"
Jim Yardley (NY Times)
This article discusses the migrant crisis in Europe and how Muslim refugees are trying to immigrate to Europe. The problem now is there are foreign men, including refugees, groping and robbing young women. It is making countries in Europe not want to allow refugees in because they feel as though it is harming their own society, making the refugees really not have anywhere to go.
I find this extremely interesting because these are two major issues colliding. I can understand these European's countries point of view, however, I do not think it should be purely blamed on the refugees. I think there needs to some sort of way that they can fix this problem without banning refugees to come into the countries.
READ THE FULL ARTICLE HERE
This article discusses the migrant crisis in Europe and how Muslim refugees are trying to immigrate to Europe. The problem now is there are foreign men, including refugees, groping and robbing young women. It is making countries in Europe not want to allow refugees in because they feel as though it is harming their own society, making the refugees really not have anywhere to go.
I find this extremely interesting because these are two major issues colliding. I can understand these European's countries point of view, however, I do not think it should be purely blamed on the refugees. I think there needs to some sort of way that they can fix this problem without banning refugees to come into the countries.
READ THE FULL ARTICLE HERE
Wednesday, December 2, 2015
Syrian Refugee Crisis
Refugee Crisis in Europe Prompts Western Engagement in Syria
This article discusses the Syrian Refugee Crisis occurring and the Western world's involvement during it. Syria has a huge war right now and many are attempting to escape by going to upwards towards Europe. There is a lot of conflict surrounding whether specifically America should let these refugees in.
I personally think it is okay to let the refugees come into America. America should stand for freedom since everyone who immigrated here since the beginning was searching for personal freedom. It is also a mix of many cultures and diversities and should be accepting of everyone. I hope Syria finds peace soon.
Mass Teen Killed in Shooting in Israel.
Mass. teen among 5 killed in Tel Aviv, West Bank attacks
This article discusses an eighteen year old named Ezra Schwartz dying in a terrorist attack in Israel. He lived in Sharon, Massachusetts and decided to take a gap year to spend it in Israel. He was delivering food to Israeli troops before he was killed. There were four other people killed.
Having met Ezra a few times, this really hit me, not only about his death but the death of anyone in Israel. It always amazes me that people want to hurt people, for non important reasons. I hope that there will be more peace in this world and that people will be treat others kindly.
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