Blog #10

Should performance enhancing drugs be allowed in professional athletics? The vast majority of people would say that these drugs should be prohibited.  I would like to try and argue the opposite.  Let it be known, however, that I do not personally use or encourage the use of these drugs.  I simply argue that others ought to be allowed to use them at their own discretion. 

Argument for allowed use of performance enhancing drug:

-Freedom of choice.  People are allowed to smoke cigarrettes even though it is dangerous to their health, why can’t people use steroids?

-Intense strenuous work outs can cause long term damage to joints and ligiments etc... yet athletes must submit to these routines in order to be able to compete with other athletes.  This is the same principle for steroids. The only way that steroids can become an unfair advantage is if it is prohibited and those disobediant athletes use them anyway without getting caught.  If they were not prohibited then the playing field would be leveled. 

-Remember how fun it was to watch Barry Bonds, Sammy Sosa, and Mcgwire? All three of these famous basball players were big hitters.  They broke records and generated extreme peaks in spectatorship for the MLB. Yet they are ignored in the history of baseball.  their names are not even mentioned in the most famous baseball history museums. 

Argument against performance enhancing drugs:

-The overall health of our athletes is already poor due to the stresses involved in competing at such high levels of competition.  Why would we shorten their lives further?  We already have super humans playing our sports why do we need gladiators? 

-Athletes do not take these drugs to level the playing field instead they take them to get an advantage on the other athletes.

-A good majority of athletes are healthy and their personalities are to be healthy.  If all the sudden they cannot compete without having to use steroids they would now be forced either to take steroids or lose. This is not fair by any means.

I have a lot more research to do obviously but that’s the basics!!

Blog #9

The rhetorical analysis paper was a bit more difficult than the personal narrative.  I found myself really scrapping for more things to say about the tools used.  To be completely honest it was more difficult because my heart wasn’t in it.  I really didn’t care about it.  I think it was a good learning experience however.  It will help me in writing my own persuasive essays in the future.

Blog # 8: 50 words on my 'Analytical Response'

Well my paper feels iffy.  I love the essay I’m using but I think I’m too easy to impress.  I have a hard time finding the negative things.  I know I don’t have to have a list of cons but I would at least like to be able to see the perspective of the haters.  That way I could combat them.  The rough draft wasn’t too hard to write but I want to change a lot of it before I turn in my final. 

Blog # 7 "Letter from Birmingham Jail"

First off I just want to say , wow!  Martin Luther King, Jr. is an amazing writer.  I thoroughly enjoyed reading his letter and agree with his statements.

Now for the analysis:

Doctor Luther appealed to the reader through emotion, logic and ethics frequently throughout his letter.  He gets the reader on his side form the very first paragraph with some emotional appeal when he talks about all the criticism he deals with regularly. The way in which he incorporates this information doesn’t sound like a childish complaint, instead he calmly acknowledges his hardships and makes them known to the reader.  With this he appeals to the reader ethically as well.  Stating that he generally doesn’t respond to criticism but choses to ignore it to pursue more important matters sets himself above though criticizers.  He elevates his respectability and maturity in the readers mind.  It has an inverse effect in the mind of the reader for the character of the criticizer, giving a mental image of immaturity.  He often uses logic appeal as well. For example: starting with the last paragraph of the one hundred ninety-ninth page, until the second paragraph of the two hundredth page, Doctor Luther shows examples in history when civil disobedience was just.  He mentions Shadrach, Meshach and Abednago who disobeyed King Nebuchadnezzar; the early christians who disobeyed the unjust laws of the Roman Empire; Socrates; and their very own ancestors disobeying England during the events now known as the Boston Tea Party.  Mentioning the Boston Tea Party was brilliant.  This is an event that Americans are proud of that in essence is the same issue being dealt with.  It is the same “disobedience” that Doctor Luther had committed and was imprisoned for.
Another instance where Doctor Luther demonstrated ethical appeal was when I wrote about taking responsibility for his actions.  He disobeyed these “unjust laws” knowingly and with a smile on his face.  He was happy to comply with the consequences.  This builds an even more respectable reputation for him in the readers mind.
Another instance where Doctor Luther uses emotional appeal is found in the second paragraph on the one hundred ninety-eighth page.  He writes of the difficulty in telling your six-year-old daughter that she can’t go to the local amusement park because she is black.  Not only is it difficult to tell her that, but it is more difficult to know that her self esteem and self respect is slowly diminishing.  It is harder to know that over time it will likely waste away entirely.  The reader can most likely relate, whether black or white, to the relationship between parent and child.  This is a very effective way off bringing a white reader to the realization of the emotions felt by the suppressed Negros.  He further attacks this point with another parent child situation and then later with a husband wife situation.  This paragraph was powerful for me, an unmarried childless male, how much more powerful would it be to those with wives and children that they love?
There are several other instances where Doctor Luther uses appeal to logic, emotion or ethics to convey his feelings and ideas to the reader.  He is a very talented writer and obviously his writing and speaking have been very effective rhetoric.

Blog # 6 Analytic Response - "What Christians Believe"

I seriously enjoyed reading this short essay by C.S. Lewis! It was so good to hear someone, not LDS, look at religion in a  very similar way to how it actually is.  He was definitely writing in the genre of persuasive.

His purpose for writing this essay was to take take the information he has mentally gathered about the basics of religion and display them in a convincing manner to the reason, in hopes of persuading them to accept that there must be a Christ and an opposing force that originally came from good.

Lewis was once an atheist and can therefor empathize very well with them.  He understands why people would reject the truth but also understands how stupid they’re being.  He assumes that most people that do not believe in God are looking at it logically and therefor attacks from that angle.

Lewis spent most of his writing on the topic of God verses Devil.  He writes about how the devil can not be an independent force of evil.  Evil cannot not, itself, independently exist.  just as darkness without light never could have been discovered.  Evil is the lack of good.  Good things sought after in the wrong way.

Lewis uses several analagies in this piece to further explain his examples.  One being; how can someone not see something and realize that if they have never seen anything before?  They can’t! it makes no sense to them.  It’s essentially incomprehensible.  A blind man form birth will never understand or miss sight.  If there were no right and wrong, no law, no sin, no God, then we would not be able to comprehend that those things are or were missing.  BUT WE CAN comprehend these things.   the simple fact that we’re debating over this topic proves itself! he uses many such analogies.  He uses a lot of logic to prove his ideas and does it well.

All in all I really enjoyed his writing and I agree with what his is saying.  I kinda of wish I could send him a Book of Mormon!

Blog #5: Analytic Snapshot: Veil of Fears

Genre:  Persuasive

Purpose:  To bring to the attention of the reader the misconception that veils and other muslim traditions are of a suppressive nature and to persuade them that this is a way they preserve their family unit.

Central Message:  Americans wrongly view the traditions of the Afghan culture form their own "Westernized Perspective".  This has caused many false assumptions.  Americans should not be so involved in removing, what they view, wrong in others' cultures. without first exploring the "wrongness" of that item from the other's point of view.

World View and Assumptions:  Americans have good intentions and want to help give freedom to others but do not realize that their views of freedom may differ from the “others.”  He assumes that most Americans have developed these views from the media, whether directly or indirectly. 

Use of Tools and Evidence:  

--Page 229, paragraph two, line four: ‘Time magazine dubbed the Afghan burka “a body bag for the living”’-analogy.

--Page 229, paragraph three, line ten:  “Veiling is embraced by millions of Muslim men and women as one of the keys to their way of life.” -Symbol

--Page 230, paragraph two, line three: “The press has been obsessed with the relatively small number of modernized women in Afghan cities who were indeed viciously oppressed by the Taliban’t infamous policies.”-hyperbole (italics added).

Blog # 4 Personal Narrative Review

Well I really enjoyed writing my personal narrative! It may not have been the best paper ever written, but to me it was a true work of art! Learning as I went, I tried to incorporate some of the new tidbits I had learned from our reading assignments in my writing class.  While trying out these new writing tips, I found I could better express what was stuck in my head! It became easier to translate the language of “Zack Brain” to English.  I still struggle with where to put commas and when to start a new sentence.  However, my mom already gave me a short lesson over the phone on that topic.  She has always been an expert at editing, so I sent my draft to her for advice.  It turns out, I did leave out a lot of commas and spelt some words wrong! Unfortunately however, I had already turned in my paper by the time Mom got back to me.  

I learned a lot about myself during the writing process.  While I was searching for a topic, I really had to go back into the deep parts of my memory.  I found all kinds of good stuff back there!  Though each memory was a little dusty, I saw them all there! Reminiscing with yourself can be quit enjoyable! It can even be therapeutic.  When I did find the treasure I was looking for, my topic, I excitedly started writing! I just started typing and it all came flowing out of my head onto the screen.  Throughout the editing and refining process I really put the story into the words I wanted.  It was a great experience! I ,surprisingly to myself, am looking forward to the next writing assignment we get!  Yay!

P.S. I really want to read it to people and see what they think! is that bad??

My Bad Day Went Pretty Well

You know that surge of fear, shock and confusion caused by the discovery of an empty parking spot where your car used to sit? You panic and start looking around as if it could have moved itself.  You think, “Maybe a friend borrowed it.” or  “Maybe this isn’t were I parked it at all.” Then you realize, despite your hopes, that it’s true, your car’s missing.  Someone towed it; took it from you, the rightful owner! 

I had just moved to Provo that week.  My best friend invited me to visit his family with him.  He grabbed some clothes for me and picked me up from the gym on his way.  I left my car in the parking lot, being reassured that it would be fine there overnight.  Being brand new to the area, I wasn’t aware of just how strict the parking enforcement was.  The next day my car was gone. 

First came that surge of fear, then the frantic search, then the realization of what had happened.  What a terrible situation! I had no idea where my car was, how to get it back or how much it would cost! I must have looked crazy as I stood there in the middle of the parking lot hysterically talking to myself and pointing at the empty spot.  I got a few weird looks from people passing by on their way back to their own cars.

I found the phone number to the towing company on a nearby sign and got directions to the impound.  There I met Dave, a large hairy man with a button up flannel shirt, evil grin and small eyes in his, as he called it, “office”.  My anger intensified when I saw that his “office” was a beat up tow truck with a laptop mounted to the dash.  I thought to myself, “What a jerk.  He towed my car and had me come to his mobile office.  He could have just come to me!”  Dave stuck his grizzly face out the window to kindly inform me that it would be “only one hundred and eighty-five dollars.”  What kind of broke college kid is going to be okay with that?  I made my building frustration apparent on my face as I stared right into his grey eyes.  I had a battle at this point inside my head.  I silently debated,  “Was it worth trying to grab my key off his console and run for it?  Or should I just succumb to Dave’s self proclaimed authority and give up?”  For all I knew he was just some guy with a tow truck.  Despite my anger blurred judgment and mental turmoil,  I rationalized and chose to reach, painfully, into my pocket to pull out my credit card.  I handed it over to Dave.  

Now my car is a bit old school.  I bought the heap for six hundred bucks from my dad.  It’s a well used 1992 Nissan Stanza with a handful of dents and scratches. Trust me, it’s a junker.  I’ve ridden bikes that went faster.  So handing over nearly two hundred dollars for a six hundred dollar vehicle that is due to break down any day, scarred me a bit.  Despite my fears, I signed the receipt and took my key from Dave.

Later that evening I visited a few friends.  Before I parked in visitor’s parking, I asked them if it was okay to park there without a pass.  Everyone confirmed that it was fine and that they hadn’t even started towing yet because everyone had just moved in.  Once inside I wanted to vent.  Most of all I wanted them to feel bad for me.  So I went off on how unjust the system could be and how everyone seemed to be against me.  My bad mood had to be wearing off on them.  After a while I only felt worse.  So I said goodbye and headed out to where my car was.

What!!! I couldn’t believe it!  Staring at me was a vacant parking spot! I was frozen.  Stuck right there a few feet from the empty strip of asphalt.  Now this was a defining moment for me.  My character was on the line.  I wanted throw in the towel on any kind of self control I had and just freak out on the nearest breathing organism!  I wanted to start swearing or yelling or blaming other people.  I considered throwing things, punching, kicking or jumping up and down .  But what difference would it make?  

All these thoughts flew by me but I just stood there, frozen, staring at my empty parking spot.  I was stuck in slow motion.  A few moments crawled passed as I analyzed the situation.  Some nearby crickets chirped their advice, “Get mad!”, “Flip out!”.  The driver of a red sports car questioned me with his eyes as he drove by slowly.  Two girls on the other side of a nearby window shot confused looks my way.  Another few silent moments passed... Usually I wouldn’t have stopped to think about getting mad, but for some reason this was different.  Getting upset earlier that day had only made things worse.  Dave didn’t give me an “I’m really upset” discount.  In fact, it seemed that being angry had made things worse and prolonged the pain.  I was still upset even into the evening.  As I realized this, my attitude started to change.  I was having an epiphany!

Two choices with two outcomes stood there right before me like doors.  I just had to pick one and walk through.  Door one: allow myself to loose control; or door two: choose to be happy.  Somehow I could see the benefits of choosing the latter.  “Honestly, how many times does someone get their car towed twice in one day?  Maybe this will make a good story in the future.” I thought, trying to encourage myself.   I don’t know what got into me or why I changed but I decided right then to walk through door two.  I decided to overcome the experience with positive thinking.

I didn’t want to bug my friends for a ride to  the impound so I decided to walk.  It would take me about an hour and a half so I got started right away. I called my mom and had a good twenty minute talk; I called old friends and caught up with them, managing to put myself in slightly better mood.  My positivity was slowly rising! I was getting happier and happier a little at a time.  Suddenly a flush of excitement from my success launched my into a jog.  As I ran I allowed myself to release the first occurrence.  I breathed the fresh natural air.  It was thin, crisp and cool as it entered my lungs, filling the small spaces and carrying out the bits of stress left behind.  I was so free in that moment!  I was in absolute control of my emotions.  As I jogged I started to really appreciate what was happening.  I realized I wanted to choose to be happy all the time, no matter what happened. I thought about all the people I come in contact with everyday.  We are all influencing each other.  If I could spread the happiness I then felt by leaving a smile on the faces of the people I meet, maybe I could change the world in a small way.  I had taken a simple experience, something that should have upset me, and controlled the outcome.

As I neared the tow yard I could see a yellow light in front of the gate and sitting on the curb underneath it were three silhouettes.  I could make out the first one to be male and the other two were obviously female judging by the shape of their hair.  I slowed my jog to a walk.  As I got closer, I could hear the girl in the middle talking angrily.  

“It’s so dumb that they towed my car after only thirty two minutes!  Honesty haven’t they got anything better to do?!”

“Thirty minute parking is where this place gets all it’s business.” her friend added.  

I was close enough now that the yellow light illuminated their faces.   I called out to them acting oblivious to the tension and said, “It’s a beautiful night isn’t it?”  I chose my tone carefully trying not to sound too happy; I didn’t want to shock them.  The boy answered “I guess it is pretty nice.”  

“Do you know where the University Parking impound is?” I asked already knowing the answer.

“You’re lookin’ at it.” he said pointing behind him.  “But no one is here.  We called the number on the gate and a guy said he would be back in about twenty minutes.  He had to pick up another car.”

“Here’s my chance!” I thought. “Maybe I can leave them just a little happier!”  So I began by asking, “Who’s car?”

“Mine” said the girl in the middle.

“Oh man! what happened?” I continued.

“Well I was just hanging out....”  She told me the whole story and I listened.  I made small comments here and there keeping myself involved.  Each time I spoke, I did so with a smile on my face.  They reacted by smiling back!  It was working.  Each time I would say something cheesy and laugh, they would laugh too!  At first I think they were just being polite but after a while I was able to actually lighten their mood!  The guy eventually asked me why I was so happy.  I told him that I had already had my car towed once that morning and that I got very upset.  But in the end I still had to pay the fee to get it back.  Getting upset hadn’t made anything better.  I went on telling him that this time I had decided to try something different.  All three listened  closely as I related my story.

I could see the middle girl really thinking about what I was saying.  Her face illustrated her thought process as she went from realizing how silly she was being, to accepting the challenge to be happy.  She really lightened up quickly after that and soon all three of my new friends were in quite good moods. 

Just on time, Dave showed up!  “Could we make him happy too?” I thought.  When he pulled up and rolled down his office window we were all standing there smiling.  He was obviously confused.  He must have been used to people getting upset with him and couldn’t figure out if we were playing some kind of trick.  He handed us our receipts and we handed him the money owed.  We kept making small comments to each other not relevant to the situation and laughing.  He was so baffled by our high spirits as we thanked him and took our keys that he finally asked, “Why are you guys so happy?” 

“Why not!?” the middle girl replied 

His expression was softened, changing from stern and confused to relaxed and enlightened.  You could see his mental light switch come on and he said “yeah... why not?” his mustache curled into smiled.  We walked towards our cars said our goodbyes and drove off.

I never saw those people again but we shared a sweet experience that night.  With a little bit of effort the world became a better place for a few hours.  We were happy and that’s all that mattered.  It could have cost me two thousand dollars to get my car back but I wouldn’t have cared.  I made a choice.  The choice to be happy.