http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/01/11/MNCUUD91O.DTL

This article basically states that Governor Schwarzenegger is willing to "take billions of dollars from public schools, shut down four dozen state parks and release tens of thousands of prisoners to close a projected $14.5 billion deficit." I feel that the governor is basically trying to take little bits from every department in California. I do agree that that is the method that should be used because it wouldn't have as big of an effect on California, however i feel that he thinks he has to get all of this done right now which is not true. He needs to span these cuts out so that the effects on California are not as great.

retorical strategies

• authoritative tone
• uses many exclamation marks
• Thoreau places John Brown on a sort of throne because he has done so much in terms of action
• Thoreau basically criticizes...
  

politics summary

A Plea for Captain John Brown
John Brown was an official who gathered 21 men and raided Harper's Ferry which was an armory to arm slaves in the fight against slavery. He and his men were later captured and placed in jail. John Brown was later hung for treason. Although many thought the hanging was justified, Henry David Thoreau wrote this article as a defense for John Brown. Thoreau basically states that John Brown was a hero for stepping out against the government. In addition, he calls him a martyr because he died for his cause. John Brown was willing to die for his fellow men and for his cause, which was something that caught Thoreau's eye as he calls him brave and a hero. Thoreau greatly commends John Brown because he actually lived his life out to the fullest and made a difference with his life.

President Obama pursuades America to follow him by first presenting a need for himself. He talks about the crisis and then uses inspirational solutions such as banding together to hopefully inspire America to follow him. I believe that his whole speech was meant to fill the souls of Americans with a sense of urgency and inspiration. He talks about what "free men and women" have done in the past and tells America to remember its heroes that protected American liberty to instill a can-do mindset. It is apparent that he wants all Americans to know that they can do it ("it" being reform America and make it better). He ends his speech by hitting an emotional part of Americans as he talks about "our childens' children". Every person wants their grandchildren to respect them and Obama uses this fact to hopefully draw more people to his side.

Reflection 2/12/09

This new way of running this class is very different. I'm not quite sure to think that it is a change for the better or the worse but i do know that it seems like it forces the student to be more independent which is not always a bad thing. I am excited for this change but am approaching the situation with caution due to the uncertainty with in this change. We'll see, it looks like it would be almost fun.

Journal 2/12/09

everyday things
social things such as television shows or movies or sports
events, concerts, shows, raves etc
personal interests
basically anything that involves what i do on a daily or regular basis, or something i do for fun and excitement