Charles M. Blow: Thoughts on Terrorism

Charles M. Blow, an Op- Ed columnist for the New York Times, in his article “Police Abuse Is a Form of Terrorism”(August 12, 2015), claims that terrorism in the setting of Jihadists and extremists is no different than police officers attacking black citizens for no reason. He supports this by discussing the difference between state and community violence in regards to blacks fighting blacks and cops fighting blacks, depicting the feeling of nakedness due to lack of protection, and calling on the black community to respond to the violence like America responded to terrorism. His purpose of discussing the different types of violence is in order to explain how terrorism is synonymous with unfair black treatment. His logical approach to end the police attacks reach out to the black community giving them the right to protect themselves.

Charles M. Blow made many points about how similar terrorism is to black injustice, but I disagree with his solution to the problem. He seems to be suggesting that just like we as a country fought against the terrorists of 9/11, blacks should be able to defend against the police. This idea seems to be fighting violence with violence, which results in more violence. His answer to Americans killing Americans is simply unrealistic and irrational. Peaceful lobbying and other forms of peaceful government participation are better options. Cops are still in the fault for assuming that people of a certain race are guilty without attempting a crime. They have to be put in their place, but not with violence. The problem of police attacking blacks has to be stopped, but there are better ways of going about this.

Link: http://www.nytimes.com/2015/08/13/opinion/police-abuse-is-a-form-of-terror.html?rref=collection%2Fcolumn%2Fcharles-m-blow&action=click&contentCollection=opinion&region=stream&module=stream_unit&version=latest&contentPlacement=8&pgtype=collection&_r=0

Mac vs PC Rhetorical Analysis of Commercial

Apple, a computer software company, in its commercial “Choose a Vista” (2007), argues that Apple’s software package encompasses everything you need in one computer, while Windows has many different options, none of which combine product and price like Apple. They develop this claim by comparing the different Windows options to a spin wheel, in which there is no perfect option, while the Apple representative sits content with the software he has. The purpose of the author is to put down Windows in order to highlight the flawless Apple package, with the ultimate purpose of selling Apple computers. The audience is all consumers, and Apple tries to establish a trust relationship by using humor which appeals to pathos.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p5Yt30wrbl4

(commercial starts at 1:30 and ends at 2:00)

Op- Ed Columnist Nicholas Kristof, in “Kristof: Lessons From the Virginia Shooting” (2015) asserts that American gun laws are “demented” and in need of a change to prevent more deaths. He supports his claim by mapping out the bloody path America is on now, stating facts about firearm death rates, comparing gun laws to toy and ladder laws, and finally giving the solution of more background checks and gun laws. Kristof’s main point is that in order for homicide rates to go down, the gun laws must be altered to make the process of acquiring a gun more difficult. He seems to be calling for a movement, addressing the people of America and the government to change gun laws, and make America a safer place.

Upon reading Nicholas Kristof’s article on the Virginia shooting, I found myself siding with the gun activists of the NRA, who would disapprove of his writing. His sound argument proves that homicide rates are awful in America, but I don’t believe that they are directly related to guns. We live in a society that craves violence, whether in the form of video games, movies, books or music. The American people find enjoyment in watching a film where teens kill each other off and video games were soldiers try to kill each other. The guns are not the issue, but rather it is the American psyche. I am not calling for a mass ban of violent games such as Modern Warfare and not calling for a censorship of music, but the pain and violence has to be toned down. The mass shootings occurring throughout America are simply the product of our society. Kristof’s points on guns are true, but it doesn't start with gun laws, but rather it starts with changing the way we think and feel towards hate and brutality.

Link: http://www.nytimes.com/2015/08/27/opinion/lessons-from-the-murders-of-tv-journalists-in-the-virginia-shooting.html?_r=1

August 20th, 2015
This past year Dr. Walter Palmer killed Cecil, a beloved lion from Zimbabwe, by seemingly luring it out of its sanctuary. Now Dr. Palmer is facing criticism and backlash for his actions. His dentist office has been shut down for the time being, and he is hiding in his home waiting for the ruckus to die down. In this situation I find myself siding with Dr. Palmer and feel sympathy towards him. He has taken heat for something that is considered an offense, but should not be a defining factor in choosing whether to use him as a dentist or not. There are bigger world problems that need to be dealt with, and I believe Dr. Walter had no evil intentions to begin with.
It isn't right for people to end their stay at his practice simply because he killed a lion. I highly doubt he will use his hunting equipment to pull out teeth. His business and a dead lion are totally unrelated. If he gives the best dentistry service in town then people should continue to attend. This lion fiasco should not be a factor when choosing a place to get cavities fixed. He may not be the best person and has faults to fix, but he can still do his job well.
The whole idea of mourning the loss of a lion seems a bit ridiculous. Cecil may have been famous and a piece of Zimbabwe culture, but he is just an animal. There are much larger and more important issues to be spending time and money on. People are butchered in Syria, while others are dying of hunger. These problems need more attention then a dead lion. I understand that the lion meant a great deal, but it is time to face the real problems in society.
I would also like to argue that Dr. Walter is not a blood thirsty, malicious man. He hunts simply for the sport and uses a crossbow. If he really wanted to cause optimum damage, a gun would be a better choice. A gun has more accuracy, fire power, and can kill in larger quantities. I don't understand why we are getting on his case for killing Cecil. He made a mistake because he didn't know the importance of the beast, but that should not cause a standstill of his practice. He made mistakes, but that doesn't justify his unfair treatment.

Link: http://www.cnn.com/2015/07/30/us/walter-palmer-whereabouts/