"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."

"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

"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

"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