In a well written essay, explain the major similarities and differences between FDR's & Obama's Inaugural speeches. Feel free to comment on similar happenings and circumstances, but also on similarities and differences in structure and content.
Franklin Delano Roosevelt the 32nd president of the United States of America was the only president elected to four terms in office, serving from 1933 to 1945. Barack Obama the 44th president, but the first president to be of African American descent spoke his inaugural address January 20, 2009. The two, short and to the point, inaugural speeches by Franklin Delano Roosevelt and Barack Obama are two of the most important speeches in US history. Both of these speeches were and are during economic hard times in America, as well as during War, and they were both watched by millions of people who had a desperate desire for change. As well as having similarities, there are also differences; the way the presidents' chose to incorporate the American People in their speech, they both had different ideas of how to repair the nation, plus the tone and mood differs between the speeches.
Both Presidents chose to take a stand in the United States, when our country was in crisis. The Great Depression occurring in the 1930's, the same time Roosevelt took office, was one of the biggest problems our country has ever faced. Now, the same disaster will occur once again if our country is left without correct guidance. In 2008 our country went into a recession, now in 2009 our economic standing is at it's lowest point since 1974. Obama now has the power, and it's his responsibility, like it was Roosevelt's, to bring our United Nation out of the economic hole we have buried ourselves in once again. Obama and Roosevelt have a larger amount of power then previous presidents, because the people want to be brought out of the recession and depression that have made their lives difficult. The people are willing to accept the decisions they make if it will help them, they need to act quickly though, especially Obama before it gets worse.
Roosevelt's tone of his speech was more militaristic and he came across more of a dictator than president, unlike Obama's speech which encouraged unity and help from the people of the United States. Roosevelt states "There are the lines of attack" and he doesn't fail to mention the military term "attack" numerous other times in his speech. He obviously thought that war would help the nation, and it did. Obama is going about this a different way, he is more for going "green". He believes that the American people need to work together to lower CO2 emissions and cut down energy costs. Obama points out that "each day brings further evidence that the ways we use energy strengthen our adversaries and threaten our planet." Obama also gives something to the American people that Roosevelt failed to; Obama gives inspiration and hope he guarantees that the challenges America faces today "will be met." This is important people won't be able to do something that they believe impossible.
Just as Roosevelt had, Obama has the power and the ability to turn our nation around and save not only the United States economy, but the world's. Even though their speech has many differences, the country's economic status at the time of both their terms are considerably equivalent. For the good or for the better, change was inevitable when they were elected and that was deeply implied in the two speeches.
Monday, January 26, 2009
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
A New Era Of Responsibility
According to President Obama's inaugual address, this is "a New Era of Responsibility," as nothing is so defining of character as "difficult times." In your blog, tell me what this refers to nationally, locally, and to you personally.
Because the world is caught in economic hard times, America is relying on the new president of the United States to bring them out of the depression and fix all the problems. When Obama say's that "This is a New Era of Responsibility" he's saying that not only he is responsible for bringing our country out of the recession, but the people of the United States of America have to work together and cooperate in order for our country to ever be the same super power it has been since World War II. If America is not able to revive itself, it will effect not only the people with in the country but everybody in the World.
Nationally, the United States is one of the most important countries in the world. Many countries rely on us to loan them money and help them out when they are in need. But, at a time like this all the countries are hurting and the United States can't afford to loan any money. With our government being unstable right now it makes us an easy target for other countries to attack. But they should realize how much they need us, and help us out. Our allies are hurting right now too, and our imports will be decreasing because not many people are buying and same with our exports so it's hard for the government to make money right now, because none of the tax payers have any money.
Locally, California produces enough agriculture by itself to be seventh in the world standing next to nations such as Russia, China, and Canada. With the economy like it is, farms are getting foreclosed everyday and the state of California is running out of money by the minute. If California doesn't get bailed out and they keep foreclosing farms because people can't afford to run them anymore and if the water shortages continue, many people all across the world will be without food. Hopefully Obama will loan us some of the money left in the national government to bail us out, because if California fails the world will have to make some extreme changes in the way they live.
Personally, this new era of responsibility affects me in many ways. My mom working at a school, may be out of a job. My dad's work has been doing cut backs and making sure they are not working more than sixteen hour days. I work at Eddie Bauer and the economy hasn't affected my job there yet. I may not be able to get the Cal Grant I was counting on, and my education may be cut back by the school not being able to afford having AP classes. This summer I made a garden and I probably will continue that, becuase fruit in the stores have gone up in prices. And of course it's my responsibilty to go out and spend the money I can afford to spend on marked down clothes to help the stock market and help all the cute stores I like from going out of business. I also have a mutual fund which has lost over six hundred dollars, so I have the choice of buying when it's low and praying I don't go bankrupt, or just waiting to see what happens with my money and hoping the stocks will eventually rise, so when I retire I will have a nice amount of money saved up.
Hopefully all of America, even the people who aren't hurting at the moment realize that they are responsible for helping the world's economy, it would be nice for the people who are filthy rich to donate some money to Red Cross, or I'm not sure if it is even possible in today's society but loaning some money to the government. Because sooner or later it will effect all of us, especially if California goes under. There's too much weight on the United States to let it's economy fail. And it's not only Obama's responsibility but each individual's.
Because the world is caught in economic hard times, America is relying on the new president of the United States to bring them out of the depression and fix all the problems. When Obama say's that "This is a New Era of Responsibility" he's saying that not only he is responsible for bringing our country out of the recession, but the people of the United States of America have to work together and cooperate in order for our country to ever be the same super power it has been since World War II. If America is not able to revive itself, it will effect not only the people with in the country but everybody in the World.
Nationally, the United States is one of the most important countries in the world. Many countries rely on us to loan them money and help them out when they are in need. But, at a time like this all the countries are hurting and the United States can't afford to loan any money. With our government being unstable right now it makes us an easy target for other countries to attack. But they should realize how much they need us, and help us out. Our allies are hurting right now too, and our imports will be decreasing because not many people are buying and same with our exports so it's hard for the government to make money right now, because none of the tax payers have any money.
Locally, California produces enough agriculture by itself to be seventh in the world standing next to nations such as Russia, China, and Canada. With the economy like it is, farms are getting foreclosed everyday and the state of California is running out of money by the minute. If California doesn't get bailed out and they keep foreclosing farms because people can't afford to run them anymore and if the water shortages continue, many people all across the world will be without food. Hopefully Obama will loan us some of the money left in the national government to bail us out, because if California fails the world will have to make some extreme changes in the way they live.
Personally, this new era of responsibility affects me in many ways. My mom working at a school, may be out of a job. My dad's work has been doing cut backs and making sure they are not working more than sixteen hour days. I work at Eddie Bauer and the economy hasn't affected my job there yet. I may not be able to get the Cal Grant I was counting on, and my education may be cut back by the school not being able to afford having AP classes. This summer I made a garden and I probably will continue that, becuase fruit in the stores have gone up in prices. And of course it's my responsibilty to go out and spend the money I can afford to spend on marked down clothes to help the stock market and help all the cute stores I like from going out of business. I also have a mutual fund which has lost over six hundred dollars, so I have the choice of buying when it's low and praying I don't go bankrupt, or just waiting to see what happens with my money and hoping the stocks will eventually rise, so when I retire I will have a nice amount of money saved up.
Hopefully all of America, even the people who aren't hurting at the moment realize that they are responsible for helping the world's economy, it would be nice for the people who are filthy rich to donate some money to Red Cross, or I'm not sure if it is even possible in today's society but loaning some money to the government. Because sooner or later it will effect all of us, especially if California goes under. There's too much weight on the United States to let it's economy fail. And it's not only Obama's responsibility but each individual's.
Friday, January 16, 2009
When would you consider it appropriate to break an "unjust law"? Use information from "Perils of Obedience" and "Letter from...Jail" to support your reasoning.
I believe it's okay to break an unjust law when it starts to go against your beliefs and self-morals. An unjust law is when you are causing pain mentally of physically to someone else or to yourself. The hardest part about breaking an unjust law, is going against everything you have been taught throughout your life to follow the rules and do what people tell you to do.
In the Perils of Obedience, people knew they were doing the wrong thing, but they continued to go against their own beliefs to obey an adult, who supposedly knew what he was talking about. Why would someone do this? They are scared of the consequences, they are scared of going against their childhood learnings to obey authority, they are scared of taking a stand and putting themselves out of their comfort zone. Humans have a certain level of comfort that they like to stay at, not many people venture out of their comfort zone. For some reason it's very difficult for humans to easily accept change and go against what they have been taught, even if it means doing something they consider wrong. Just like Martin Luther King was observing and writing about in his "Letter from a Birmingham Jail", the people know that the racial segregation is wrong and that all "people are created equal" but they continue to treat other people of different colors or ethnicity like gum that got stuck to the bottom of their shoe. The people are afraid to do the right thing! They were taught to be racist by their parents and that black people should be slaves, and now they are afraid of going against their teachings to do the moral thing. And the same for the black people, not many of them stood up for themselves. They were taught to respect the white people and not many will disobey that unjust law. Martin Luther King Jr. and Rosa Parks are two truly loyal people who stood up for what they believed in and what they thought was the right thing. Sure they had consequences, but they weren't afraid they were willing to deal with the consequences rather than let themselves be sucked into the authoritative society like everyone else. Now they are looked up to, remembered and appreciated by millions of people, only because they did the what they thought was right.
That is when it's appropriate to break an unjust law, when you know what you are doing is wrong. And maybe you will be looked down upon at first, but so what as long as it makes you feel better in your soul for knowing you have made an honest decision. People who don't stick up for their beliefs are lying to themselves, they are selfish, unloyal, and dishonest people.
I believe it's okay to break an unjust law when it starts to go against your beliefs and self-morals. An unjust law is when you are causing pain mentally of physically to someone else or to yourself. The hardest part about breaking an unjust law, is going against everything you have been taught throughout your life to follow the rules and do what people tell you to do.
In the Perils of Obedience, people knew they were doing the wrong thing, but they continued to go against their own beliefs to obey an adult, who supposedly knew what he was talking about. Why would someone do this? They are scared of the consequences, they are scared of going against their childhood learnings to obey authority, they are scared of taking a stand and putting themselves out of their comfort zone. Humans have a certain level of comfort that they like to stay at, not many people venture out of their comfort zone. For some reason it's very difficult for humans to easily accept change and go against what they have been taught, even if it means doing something they consider wrong. Just like Martin Luther King was observing and writing about in his "Letter from a Birmingham Jail", the people know that the racial segregation is wrong and that all "people are created equal" but they continue to treat other people of different colors or ethnicity like gum that got stuck to the bottom of their shoe. The people are afraid to do the right thing! They were taught to be racist by their parents and that black people should be slaves, and now they are afraid of going against their teachings to do the moral thing. And the same for the black people, not many of them stood up for themselves. They were taught to respect the white people and not many will disobey that unjust law. Martin Luther King Jr. and Rosa Parks are two truly loyal people who stood up for what they believed in and what they thought was the right thing. Sure they had consequences, but they weren't afraid they were willing to deal with the consequences rather than let themselves be sucked into the authoritative society like everyone else. Now they are looked up to, remembered and appreciated by millions of people, only because they did the what they thought was right.
That is when it's appropriate to break an unjust law, when you know what you are doing is wrong. And maybe you will be looked down upon at first, but so what as long as it makes you feel better in your soul for knowing you have made an honest decision. People who don't stick up for their beliefs are lying to themselves, they are selfish, unloyal, and dishonest people.
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
Great Gatsby Or not?
What is Great about Gatsby? What are your opinions of Gatsby now that you have finished the novel? How great was he and why?
Even though, Gatsby had many negative qualities and did a lot of bad things he is still considered Great. Because of Gatsby's strong love for Daisy, he left everything he knew behind him in order to find her and build up his financial standing in order to care for her. He's willing to change everything in his life for Daisy, because everything he has, he bought for Daisy. All of his decisions are based on what Daisy would want, Gatsby doesn't have his own opinion in the story. All he knows is that he wants Daisy and he's determined to be with her. Gatsby is a caring, loving, and determined man.
Gatsby is Great because he is the only man in the book who lets his heart guide him. Even though Daisy is in love with Gatsby she remains with Tom, even when Tom knows about her relationship with Gatsby. Tom says that he loves Daisy, or that he used to love her anyway, but he continues to have affairs with numerous different women. Nick's heart is confusing in the book, at the beginning it seemed he was in love with Daisy, but at the end he may have been falling for Jordan. Yet it's never too clear. So Nick as well as Jordan do not follow their heart because they are still single at the end of the novel. Gatsby is the only one who has true love, and it's for someone he can't have.
Gatsby is one of my favorite characters in the book. It seemed like he was the only one who represented a real person, even though his qualities were exaggerated. All everyone else cared about was money and materialistic things. Sure Gatsby had a lot of money, but he didn't care about the money he just wanted to impress Daisy. Gatsby cared about Daisy way more then he cared about himself. He wouldn't have became a bootlegger and risked getting thrown in jail if he didn't. He had nothing to lose.
Gatsby was a great man because he had good intentions, but if you take Daisy out of the picture he is nothing but a bootlegging scandal, like most of the other people on West Egg. He had no friends, he had no family that he associated with, he had nothing without Daisy. All he had was money to waste and spend for people to have a good time. But because he did all this for a girl, I believe it makes him a very Great man, because back then not many people would leave everything they have behind them just to be with their true love.
Even though, Gatsby had many negative qualities and did a lot of bad things he is still considered Great. Because of Gatsby's strong love for Daisy, he left everything he knew behind him in order to find her and build up his financial standing in order to care for her. He's willing to change everything in his life for Daisy, because everything he has, he bought for Daisy. All of his decisions are based on what Daisy would want, Gatsby doesn't have his own opinion in the story. All he knows is that he wants Daisy and he's determined to be with her. Gatsby is a caring, loving, and determined man.
Gatsby is Great because he is the only man in the book who lets his heart guide him. Even though Daisy is in love with Gatsby she remains with Tom, even when Tom knows about her relationship with Gatsby. Tom says that he loves Daisy, or that he used to love her anyway, but he continues to have affairs with numerous different women. Nick's heart is confusing in the book, at the beginning it seemed he was in love with Daisy, but at the end he may have been falling for Jordan. Yet it's never too clear. So Nick as well as Jordan do not follow their heart because they are still single at the end of the novel. Gatsby is the only one who has true love, and it's for someone he can't have.
Gatsby is one of my favorite characters in the book. It seemed like he was the only one who represented a real person, even though his qualities were exaggerated. All everyone else cared about was money and materialistic things. Sure Gatsby had a lot of money, but he didn't care about the money he just wanted to impress Daisy. Gatsby cared about Daisy way more then he cared about himself. He wouldn't have became a bootlegger and risked getting thrown in jail if he didn't. He had nothing to lose.
Gatsby was a great man because he had good intentions, but if you take Daisy out of the picture he is nothing but a bootlegging scandal, like most of the other people on West Egg. He had no friends, he had no family that he associated with, he had nothing without Daisy. All he had was money to waste and spend for people to have a good time. But because he did all this for a girl, I believe it makes him a very Great man, because back then not many people would leave everything they have behind them just to be with their true love.
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