U.S. Consulate attack in Afghanistan

http://www.cnn.com/2013/09/13/world/asia/us-consulate-afghanistan-attack/index.html?hpt=wo_c2

The sovereign state of Afghanistan has taken many steps in order to be ruled by a democratically elected government. It was not always like this, however. Afghanistan’s history has been defined by different Islamic tribes in conflict for hundreds of years. No other conflict scars Afghanistan’s history than that of the Pashtun people and the Hazaras. The superior Pashtun’s ruled with a radical Islamic fundamentalist ideology during the reign of the Taliban. Ever since the late 20th century, the Taliban have been ruthlessly committing numerous human rights violations against the Hazaras, such as the stripping of basic human rights and liberties. The prejudice, discrimination, and inhumane actions of the ethnically dominant Pashtuns to the inferior Hazaras have proven to be numerous human right violations. The efforts of Afghanistan, numerous other nations, and international organizations have shown to be fruitless. The Taliban translates to “students” in Pashto. They are a conservative Islamic group. The Taliban members believe that the Quran and Sunnah should lead life. The Taliban have strict and extreme interpretations of Muslim documents, such as Sharia Law. The Sharia Law dictates how Muslims should live their lives, ranging from many personal to ideological aspects. Infractions of these extremely interpreted rules would result in punishments that did not fit the crime. The Taliban is a firm believer in Jihad. Jihad is a belief that Muslims should take over all the non-Muslims by any means necessary. This belief results in yet another ideology, that of pan-Islamism. Pan-Islamism is the belief that all of mankind should hold the Muslim faith.

The Taliban recently attacked a United States consulate at dawn on Friday September 13, in the Herat province. Afghan security forces were forced to engage in gunfire, resulting in three casualties. There were no American losses, but people guarding the embassy died fighting a group the United States supported.

It is ironic every "revolutionary" group the U. S. supports ends up stabbing the U.S. in the back. The Taliban and Iran are all good examples. Will history repeat itself with Syria?

Ben and Jerry's- Chocolate Cookie Dough

If you have not experienced the glorious flavor of Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough, manufactured by world-renowned ice cream entrepreneurs Ben and Jerry's, then you have lived an unfulfilled life. Your life has had only some purpose. There has been no true content. (pathos-past three lines)

Men, women, children alike have all been a part of this special movement. (asyndeton) Since 1991, this more than popular flavor has served as the model for all cookie dough ice cream flavors since. Yet, this original and simple recipe stays true even from its humble beginnings. Are you ready to be a part of this historical movement? (rhetorical question)

There is a difference between this flavor and all other flavors. This flavor has variety. This flavor has exquisite taste. This flavor has balance. This flavor has name-recognition. This flavor has a unique combination of vanilla ice cream and chunks of cookie dough. This flavor has an effect so remarkable, it cannot be put into text on this very blog; this flavor is not a taste, it is an experience. Ice cream is a delicacy enjoyed by most of the world.

I urge the world to try this flavor. When in doubt, when there is no progress, when there is no hope, Ben and Jerry's Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Ice Cream is the first step in making things. Do it for not only yourself, but for the betterment of the world in which you inhabit, ultimately for mankind.

Obama to Syria... On Second Thought

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/09/01/obama-syria-congress_n_3850848.html

David Espo wrote "Obama Seeks Approval From Congress For Syria Strike" in  light of important recent events. President Barack H. Obama and his administration has been pushing for military intervention against Syria for quite some time. Until the evening of Friday, August 30, it was highly expected for the President to make the call, but after discussion among his closest aides he recanted his previous decision and seeker approval from Congress. The President of the United States, according to the Constitution, is the commander-in-chief; therefore, the President did not have to make this move. However, politically speaking it is in-genius. Congressional support transcends to American and bi-partisan support. This move is no doubt calculated to ensure that President Obama will get the votes, but there is a chance that Congress will reject Obama's proposed draft as fast as the Parliament of the United Kingdom denied Prime Minister Cameron's. Besides unclear domestic support, there is almost no international support. Except for France backing the United States, no major country supports the decisions, they condone it. Specifically from Russia, The United States faces harsh international criticism. The projected death toll by the United States of the chemical attacks was proven to be double the death toll reported by a third party health organization in Syria. There is no telling what the right move for the United States is. This move must consist of action against moral and ethical violations of human rights, not the political agenda of the elite to wage war in an already conflicted region.

Churchill: Speaker of the Century

"Blood, Toil, Tears, and Sweat"
Winston Churchill

When Winston Churchill addressed the Parliament as the newly elected Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, a speech of such eloquence was one that surely got the wheels going for Mr. Churchill's eight year term as Prime Minister. Analyzing this speech through the SOAPS-T method, one understands why this speech and Churchill's similar speeches were so powerful and inspirational for the British people. Starting with subject, Churchill focuses on the upcoming battle against Nazi Germany, and the necessary government unity and support that such a fight would require. The occasion is May 1940, in the House of Commons of Parliament of the United Kingdom. The audience is a room full of elected officials, the forefront of representative democracy in England, with many supporters and many skeptics of the speaker before them. The purpose of the speaker is to inform, to inspire, to unite, and to instill passion among the government of England. The speaker is a newly elected Prime Minister, faced with the obstacles of not only forming a new government but creating one that will effectively defeat Germany. Winston Churchill's tone is confident and assuring, but most importantly it is progressive. Lines like "A War Cabinet has been formed...representing the unity of the nation" and "victory, victory at all costs" all make Churchill sound confident, assuring, and progressive. His tone, along with his automatic ethos and diction convey a message so strong and riveting that even practiced politicians felt like doing something.

Mubarak Released into House Arrest

"Mubarak To Be Placed Under House Arrest After Release

By: Matt Bradley and Tamer El-Ghobashi

Source: Wall Street Journal

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887324165204579026572361918800.html?mod=WSJ_0_0_WZ_0_0336_RIGHTTopCarousel_1

Former Egyptian President (dictator) Muhammad Hosni El Sayed Mubarak was released from jail, because the courts found no legal evidence to keep him. However, he will be kept under house arrest due to the scheduled trial date for other charges soon to come. After eighteen days of protest, Hosni Mubarak stepped down on February 11, 2011. It was on April 13, 2011 that Mubarak and his two sons were ordered to stay in the country and face multiple charges, ranging from premeditated murder to abuse of power. The trial ran from May 2011 to January 2012. In June, 2012 Mubarak was sentenced to life in prison, being found guilty of not putting a stop to killing innocent protesters. Due to many personal financial and political assets, the system of Egyptian courts, and his top-notch legal team he appealed his case in January 2013. On August 21, the judge handling his case ruled that the petition presented by the defense team was upheld, and Mr. Mubarak was to be released from jail but kept in custody. He is awaiting a retrial, in order to overturn the previous conviction of guilty. Mubarak's defense strategy in the original trial was claiming his resignation was no official so he was immune; Mubarak claimed he was still President of Egypt.

This article describes a delicate situation. This former symbol of undemocratic power and corruption and abuse of power (yes, that was a polsyndeton) has been released from jail after serving only months of a life sentence. Egyptian citizens who are already protesting or supporting ousted President Mohamed Morsi all agree that Mubarak is evil. He symbolizes all that is wrong with the governing of a people once so advanced that instigated the first technological and industrial revolution. Mubarak's release from jail, legal or not, was followed by more protests in Tahiri Square and throughout Cairo. 

The commercial

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b5HLsvwLPpQ

This commercial is an ad used for the DSTV television company and provider. It starts off with two traditional Indian families meeting to marry off their children in an arranged marriage. After the bride to be disapproves, she uses her remote control to switch between different grooms, anywhere from a Indian Elvis to a cool biker, demonstrating how important and good choice is, specifically in the channels you watch. Using SOAPS-T to analyze this advertisement helps in dissecting it and understanding it more clearly. The subject is the kind of man this girl wants to spend her life with,. The occasion however is the meeting of the the bride and groom to be. The audience is anyone flipping through the channels, but considering DSTV is an African based company and caters to mostly African nations, then English-speaking Africans are the target audience. The purpose of this ad is to get more people to switch to DSTV as their entertainment provider. The speaker is unclear to me, but I guess it is DSTV satellite company. The tone of this ad is very relaxed, traditional, and funny. The ethical appeal in this commercial is the traditional clothing and the important of choice. The logical appeal ceases to exist, except for when it shows an example of choice ( the grooms). The emotional appeal is again the choice, making people feel that if they support choice they support this provider. This advertisement is not effective because it does not give any incentive for a commoner to switch his plan, except for the large array of choices there is no positive factor that would come into play. Financial and cost differences, quality assurance, and good customer service are all points the company could have used to make them more appealing.

1984- genius in 266 pages

George Orwell wrote 1984 in the middle of the twentieth century. It is about a society (today dubbed an Orwellian society) in which the government has utmost and total control over its citizens. Big Brother uses his influence through propaganda and force to get what he wants, every time. This world in which the protagonist, Winston Smith lives in, is constantly at war, and even the slightest hint of rebellion is shut down. The Ministry of Truth, the Ministry of Love, the Ministry of Plenty, and the Ministry of Peace all work together to make up the government of Oceania. There is a telescreen everywhere, allowing the government to keep an eye on its people. This book is great because it reminds of how our everyday advancements in technology, the constant dumbing down of the everyday citizen, and the policies along with the legislation passed by government is shaping our society more and more to that of 1984. This book is also very well written, and the ending is one of the best endings imaginable. It just shows how the elite's agenda can influence the globe in such a large way. Anyone who wants a book that they cannot put down and would like to see a glimpse of our world fifty to two hundred years down the road should check this book out. And always remember, BIG BROTHER IS WATCHING YOU!