Hate and Violence

Stephen Sylvester

13 December 2010

Final Draft#5/Final Exam

Hate and Violence

Hate and violence are two words that you hear quite too often.  It can be heard on the news when they are talking about the current trends of cyber bullying on facebook and myspace.  Even just picking up my 3-year-old daughter from school and listening to her talk about how her friends hate someone.  Everywhere you turn it is bound to come up.  [THESIS]The way to put an end to hate and violence is to educate the parents/guardians to instill values into their children and for the children to accept others for who they are.[THESIS]

According to Dayton, a journalist from the Honolulu Advertiser, he says that there have been racial issues within the Hilo High School football program.  His article states, “The complaint alleged that on Oct. 5, 2003, a junior varsity assistant coach referred to one of the football players as a "black Puerto Rican with a Portagee tongue," and complained that "I hate talking to this (expletive) black Puerto Rican.")”  (Dayton)  As an assistant coach, he should be a role model to the teenagers.  He should not be promoting racist behavior and hatred.  The assistant football coach is someone that these young boys probably looked up to and saw as a model figure.  By him acting in this manner, it in return allows these young boys to believe that it is okay to be racist and perform hate crimes themselves.  They are put under the wrong impression and grow up thinking that that is the way that life is supposed to be.  The cycle never ends and life will continue to be lived thinking that showing hatred and performing acts of violence is normal.

Growing up myself, I live in a family that is nothing but normal.  When riding in the backseat on my way to school every morning, my dad would always shout out the window to people that was not driving the way in which my dad wanted them to.  Most of the time it was a Caucasian person and of course he would yell out the window, “you stupid haole.”  I would be so embarrassed that I would slouch down in the backseat and duck for cover.  I did not want any of my friends thinking that my dad was crazy.  I grew up with the same mentality as my dad.  I sometimes find myself doing the exact same thing, but minus the whole sticking my head out the window.  I sort of say it to myself just to make me feel a little better about the entire situation.  I know that it is of course wrong to refer to that race of people in that manner, but it is the way that I grew up and the cycle just seems to go on.  To stop children from becoming hateful people, parents/guardians need to stop the chaos now.  They need to first watch what they say and how they act in front of their children.  All parents know that children will mimic you and say everything that you say.  I am definitely proof of that.  Secondly, parents need to talk to their children and keep in touch with their lives.  Being able to sit down with your children and talk about their day is a benefit.  This allows you to stay in the loop and know if the children that your child is hanging out with are good for them.  Just always remember that your children are little mirror images of yourself.

Another big issue that you need to face as parents today is teaching your children to accept others for who they are.  This seems to be the biggest problem of all.  Popular kids, nerds, cheerleaders, and jocks, who really cares?  You should not judge other people or target them for hate crimes because they are different than you.  Who cares if they wear glasses or if they are on the debate team?  Does that make them a target for hate crimes?  They are just like you and me.  Also, knowing if your child is in another state of mind is also helpful in knowing if they are capable of performing such acts of violence.  According to Foderado in the article titled “Cornell Student is Accused of Hate Crimes in Stabbing” it states that Nathan H. Poffenbarger stabbed Charles Holiday with a knife when Charles confronted him as he was yelling out racial comments on campus” (Folderado).  Mr Poffenbarger was under the influence of alcohol at the time of the stabbing.  However, this event shows you exactly what is possible when someone is in another state of mind.  We do not know the reason why he was drinking, but there has been other incidents in which acts of violence resorted from different mental disorders.  For example, the Virgina Tech massacre’s shooter was a man with an anxiety disorder.  This shows you the depth in which some people will go when not in their right state of mind.

The fact of the matter is every parent has to fulfill their role as a parent and teach their children common values of love, kindness, and to accept people for who they are, which in turn will lead to less incident’s of hate crimes and acts of violence.  From this will lead to a more peaceful world for future generations to come.

Work Cited

Dayton, Kevin. "Hilo High officials ordered to deal with discrimination." Honolulu Star Bulletin 23/Novemenber2004: 1. Web. 13 Dec 2010. <http://www.webcitation.org/5lw3zdPg0>.

Foderaro, Lisa W. “Cornell Student Is Accused of Hate Crimes in Stabbing.” New York Times online. 5 May 2006. 5 May 2006 [http://www.nytimes.com/2006/05/05/nyregion/05cor

"God Given Right"

Stephen K.D Sylvester

7 December 2010

FD#4

“God Given Right”

Every American has the freedom of speech the right known as the first amendment.  Whether you are protesting about pay wages, complaining about the new security protocols at the airports, or even preaching on the side of the street, it is our God given right as a U.S citizen.  The First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution guarantees these rights of freedom, expression, and to say what we think without fear of prosecution or intervention from our government.  [THESIS] In reference to the article written by Professor Ward Churchill, the manner in which he expressed himself may have seemed wrong to most people and it may have seemed as if he intended to offend or even hurt the families of the Sept 11, 2001 attacks, however it was within his right as an American to speak freely. [THESIS]

On September 11, 2001 it was a dark and horrendous day for millions of people of America.  Not only did families lose their loved ones, but it forever changed the United States as a whole.  Right after this tragedy on 9/11, a professor from the University of Colorado, whose name left a bad taste in a lot of people’s mouths, after he posted a commentary entitled “Some People Push back- On the Justice of Roosting Chickens”.  The fact of the matter is Professor Ward Churchill was just speaking his mind and voicing his own opinion on the matter.  He basically gave us some sort of reasoning behind these acts of terrorism and why the war occurred in the first place.  He stated, “They [terrorists] did not, for starters, ‘initiate’ a war with the US, much less commit ‘the first acts of war of the new millennium.’"  He explains his point of view in his article “Some People Push back”.  In this article he states, “As things stand, including the 1993 detonation at the WTC, "Arab terrorists" have responded to the massive and sustained American terror bombing of Iraq with a total of four assaults by explosives inside the US.”  He makes sense when he pointed out that this was one of the main reasons for these acts against the United States, which is perfectly within in his right as an American to voice his own opinion.

 

He also stated, “That about 1% of the 50,000 bombs the Pentagon announced were rained on Baghdad alone during the Gulf War (add in Oklahoma City and you'll get something nearer an actual 1%).” These numbers are crazy when you look at them, and if I had never seen and read this article I would have still thought of him as cold and heartless as, an American citizen.  He also stated that, “They've managed in the process to kill about 5,000 Americans, or roughly 1% of the dead Iraqi children (the percentage is far smaller if you factor in the killing of adult Iraqi civilians, not to mention troops butchered as/after they'd surrendered and/or after the "war-ending" ceasefire had been announced).”  As you can see he has a point, and brings us to question our own government and the actions they have shown.  I am not saying I totally agree with this 100% but, it does make me question our government.  All of which he had said was well within in his right, and he has not broken any laws from the statements he has made.

Professor Ward Churchill was just pointing out that these acts of terrorism against America are clearly a form of revenge.  He states, “With that, they've given Americans a tiny dose of their own medicine.  From numbers listed above, it would require another 49,996 detonations killing 495,000 more Americans, for the ‘terrorists’ to ‘break even’ for the bombing of Baghdad/extermination of Iraqi children alone.”  By these statistics you can see his point of view.  Professor Ward Churchill words in essence were just that words, no one can control what another human being is saying, nor can we distinguish what an appropriate comment and what isn’t. 

In his article he commented on the people that died in the World Trade Center were not “innocent victims but were technocratic corps at the very heart of America’s global financial empire – the mighty engine of profit to which the military dimensions of U.S. policy has always been enslaved.”  His feelings toward the situation were simple, that all the people there were not innocent.  This is in the sense that the very military which we stand by had bombed the Iraqi’s and their plan was to hit us where it hurt.  Their plan had worked and we definitely felt it. Morally he might have hit a soft spot with me with that statement, myself being in the Military but has not broken any laws in any of his statements, so clearly was well within his right to speak freely.

Professor Ward Churchill had lost his position at his job over his comment on the "little Eichmann’s”, a reference to Adolf Eichmann, who actually did not kill any Jews but made it possible for the trains to run on time and for the Holocaust to take place.”  Which was unfortunate for him, and the University should have considered all options and gave a fair decision on the matter.  They fired him over his opinion, which was in his right to speak freely. 

In Kristine Asato’s essay she stated that “Although controversial, I think it's insightful that Ward Chruchill expresses his opinions.  Churchill's statement might have offended and aggravated some people but it puts a new perspective on our lives and those who lost theirs in the 9-11 attack.”  These statement’s I completely agree with, the article has given me a new perspective and opened my eyes to what really happened on 9/11.  Churchill states that we cannot "feign innocence" like the whole attack was just a random crime.” Which makes sense, why would anyone just attack the U.S for nothing?  To me the US had provoked a great deal of hatred in the Middle East, it was only a matter of time they would retaliate and get some form of revenge.  They saw the opportunity and capitalized on it.

 

In this discussion Sheri Kazama makes a great point, simple and straight forward that “Living in America, we are very fortunate to have the freedom that we have.  The First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution gives us the freedom to express our beliefs and opinions.” In which Ward Churchill does in his article, he may have been blunt and let’s face it most of cant take “Words” likely.  There are those who push toward the limits of those freedoms and their “expressions” may be difficult to be exposed to.  However, it is a part of living in “the land of opportunity”. 

In my personal experience, I have found the First Amendment to be great.  I have seen both good and bad come from having the freedom of speech.  First of all, I have experienced many wonderful things that came from this Amendment for example, I am currently serving in the Army National Guard and if I do not speak up and voice my opinion about a certain situation, if need be that I do not agree with, in respectable manner, I would have been promoted or be respected as a leader from my soldiers beneath me.  In my civilian life without this Amendment life would be so boring and I would not have the freedom to voice my opinion. On the flip side the Amendment gives everyone the right to voice his/her opinion and in my experience I have noticed that when you have a lot of people arguing about a certain subject, it is really hard to come to a agreement and understanding of which point of view is true and correct, we all have different opinions, in which all parties can be right in some way or another and many different solutions to a certain situation there is no absolute.

Professor Ward Churchill had recognized the importance of freedom of speech and in his debate gave meaning to word democracy in America.  Actions like these are essential to the American way of life and how we live today. The First Amendment provides the freedom of speech to every citizen including Professor Churchill.  A lot of things come with having the First Amendment   the fact that we stand by our freedom and our country does not mean we will all agree with one another.  

Works Cited

Churchill, Ward. “Some People Push Back: On the Justice of Roosting Chickens." N.d. _Dark Night Press_. From _Pockets of Resistance_, 11 Sep. 2001. 3 Dec. 2010 [http://www.darknightpress.org/index.php?i=news&c=recent&view=9&long=1]

"First Amendment: An Overview." N.d. Legal Information Instiitute. Cornell Law School. 5 June 2003 3 Dec. 2010 [http://www.law.cornell.edu/topics/first_amendment.html]

Kristine Asato “Defend Ward Churchill” Online posting. 29 November 2010. Laulima Discussion. 29 November 2010 [https://laulima.hawaii.edu/portal/tool/39e08f03-d6c0-4297-b5fd-3876b949f0f5/posts/list/293224.page]

Solis, Brain. "The First Amendment of Social Media: Freedom of Tweet ." Fast Company. 17NOV2010. Web. 4 Dec 2010. [<http://www.fastcompany.com/1703423/the-first-amendment-of-social-media-freedom-of-tweet?partner=rss>.]

Sheri Kazama “Defend Churchill” Online posting. 23 November 2010. Laulima Discussion. 3 Dec. 2010 [https://laulima.hawaii.edu/portal/site/KAP.XLSENG215js.201110/page/580d9883-374c-4194-bb60-e4e1fe68988c]

"God Given Right"

Stephen K.D Sylvester

4 December 2010

RD#4

“God Given Right”

Every American has the freedom of speech, the right known as the first amendment whether you are protesting about pay wages, complaining about the new ex-ray at the airports, and even preaching on the side of the street, it is one our basic right as a U.S citizen.  Every citizen of the United States has a right to their own opinion, and able to speak openly about any subject and debate any issue we may have without being prosecuted by the government.    The First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution guarantees freedom of expression without government interference.  While it is within our right, to say what we think without fear of prosecution or intervention from our Government.  [THESIS] In reference to the article written by Professor Ward Churchill, the manner in which he expressed himself may have been wrong and to most, seemed as if he intended to offend and even hurt the families of the Sept 11, 2001 attacks, it was within his right as a American to speak freely. [THESIS]

On the date of September 11, 2001 was a dark and horrendous day for millions of people of America. Not to mention all the families that had been affected from this terrorist attack.  Right after this event on 9/11, a Professor from the University of Colorado who name will leave a bad taste in a lot of people’s mouth, after posting a commentary entitled “Some People Push back- On the Justice of Roosting Chickens”.  But Professer Ward Churchill was just speaking his mind and voiced his opinion on the matter and gave reasoning behind these acts of terrorism and why the war occurred in the first place.  He stated, “They [terrorists] did not, for starters, ‘initiate’ a war with the US, much less commit ‘the first acts of war of the new millennium.’"  He explains his point of view in his article his “Some People Push back”,  he stated “As things stand, including the 1993 detonation at the WTC, "Arab terrorists" have responded to the massive and sustained American terror bombing of Iraq with a total of four assaults by explosives inside the US.” Which in a way makes sense and pointed out that this was one of the main reasons for these acts against the United States.

 

He also stated, “That about 1% of the 50,000 bombs the Pentagon announced were rained on Baghdad alone during the Gulf War (add in Oklahoma City and you'll get something nearer an actual 1%).” These numbers are crazy when you look at them, and if I had never seen and read this article I would have still thought of him as cold and heartless as a American citizen.  He also stated that “They've managed in the process to kill about 5,000 Americans, or roughly 1% of the dead Iraqi children (the percentage is far smaller if you factor in the killing of adult Iraqi civilians, not to mention troops butchered as/after they'd surrendered and/or after the "war-ending" ceasefire had been announced).”  As you can see he has a

point, and brings to question our own government and the actions and crimes they  have committed.  I am not saying I totally agree with this 100% but, it does make me question our government.

Professor Ward Churchill was just pointing out that this acts of terrorism, against America are clearly a form of revenge, he states “With that, they've given Americans a tiny dose of their own medicine.” From numbers listed above, it would require another 49,996 detonations killing 495,000 more Americans, for the ‘terrorists’ to ‘break even’ for the bombing of Baghdad/extermination of Iraqi children alone.”

In his article he commented on the people that died in the World Trade Center where not “innocent victims but were technocratic corps at the very heart of America’s global financial empire – the mighty engine of profit to which the military dimensions of U.S. policy has always been enslaved.”  His feelings toward the situation was simple, that all the people there was not innocent, in the sense that the very military we stand by, had bombed the Iraq’s and their plan was to hit us where it hurt which had worked and we felt it.

In Kristine Asato’s essay she stated that “Although controversial, I think it's insightful that Ward Chruchill expresses his opinions.  Churchill's statement might have offended and aggravated some people but it puts a new perspective on our lives and those who lost theirs in the 9-11 attack.”  Which I completely agree with and feel that gis article opened my eyes to what really happened.  She also stated that “Churchill states that we cannot "feign innocence" like the whole attack was just a random crime.” Which makes sense, why would anyone just attack the U.S for nothing?  She further explains “The US has evoked a great deal of hatred in the Middle Eastern countries, it was only a matter of time that they would strike back.

 

In this discussion Sheri Kazama makes a great point, simple and straight forward that “Living in America, we are very fortunate to have the freedom that we have.  The First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution gives us the freedom to express our beliefs and opinions.” In which Ward Churchill does in his article, he may have been blunt and let’s face it most of cant take “Words” likely.  She also says “ There are those who push toward the limits of those freedoms and their “expressions” may be difficult to be exposed to.  However, it is a part of living in “the land of opportunity”.  Which I found to be a great example of what Ward Churchill has done.

In conclusion Professor Ward Churchill had lost his position at his job over his comment on the "little Eichmanns, a reference to Adolf Eichmann, who actually did not kill any Jews but made it possible for the trains to run on time and for the Holocaust to take place.”  Which was unfortunate for him, and the University should have considered all options and gave a fair decision on the matter.  He had a right to speak freely as he so fit.

Works Cited

Churchill, Ward. “Some People Push Back: On the Justice of Roosting Chickens." N.d. _Dark Night Press_. From _Pockets of Resistance_, 11 Sep. 2001. 3 Dec. 2010 [http://www.darknightpress.org/index.php?i=news&c=recent&view=9&long=1]

"First Amendment: An Overview." N.d. Legal Information Instiitute. Cornell Law School. 5 June 2003 3 Dec. 2010 [http://www.law.cornell.edu/topics/first_amendment.html]

Kristine Asato “Defend Ward Churchill” Online posting. 29 November 2010. Laulima Discussion. 29 November 2010 [https://laulima.hawaii.edu/portal/tool/39e08f03-d6c0-4297-b5fd-3876b949f0f5/posts/list/293224.page]

Solis, Brain. "The First Amendment of Social Media: Freedom of Tweet ." Fast Company. 17NOV2010. Web. 4 Dec 2010. [<http://www.fastcompany.com/1703423/the-first-amendment-of-social-media-freedom-of-tweet?partner=rss>.]

Sheri Kazama “Defend Churchill” Online posting. 23 November 2010. Laulima Discussion. 3 Dec. 2010 [https://laulima.hawaii.edu/portal/site/KAP.XLSENG215js.201110/page/580d9883-374c-4194-bb60-e4e1fe68988c]

"Honesty is Key"

Stephen Sylvester

ENG215

FD3

11/08/10

 "Honesty is key"

Today I am going to talk to you about the word “honesty.”  We will be talking about honesty and how it affects the quality of our lives.  [THESIS] I have learned that being truthful and honest in any situation is the best way to get the most out of life.  While growing up I learned this saying ”do right and you cannot go wrong”  [THESIS].  Honesty is key in life, once you lose your trust and your integrity you are left with nothing.

I will be explaining to you about a close friend of mine, who was dating this girl.  In my personal opinion they were the perfect couple, that was until not being truthful and honest from the beginning brought their relationship to an end.  They had been together for a few months and both had kids of their own from different partners.  He had confided in me that he never told her who the baby’s mother was.  Reason being, it was his recent ex-girl friend who was the mother of his child and his new girlfriend knew who she was.  He told me that it would only cause conflict between them and would not be relevant to their relationship if he told her.  As a friend, I told him to tell her the truth about the situation because, although this was not a blatant lie, failing to tell the whole truth or even just leaving something out is just as bad.  I ensured him this was the best course of action to take at this point and time.  

In the end, of course he did not listen to me, and I could see how this would cause major problems in the future, if the relationship were to become more serious.  In this article, "Why we don’t we catch lairs? -Truth-Telling, Lying, and Self-Deception” states that ”In courtship, it is ambiguous whether the parties should expect truthfulness."  The saying "all's fair in love and war" would seem to warn lovers not to believe all they are told” (Ekman).  I feel all of the above to be true and there is proof of this by just looking at the outcome of my friend's relationship.  It proves that truth is always the best for overall quality of life in a relationship.  He told me that every time she had asked him that question "who was the baby’s mother," he would simply avoid it. He would end up changing the subject whenever it came up and she knew exactly what he was doing, but she loved him, so she never really pressed the issue.   At the time that this was happening, I urged him to come clean because not telling her was ethically wrong.  It was not the right course of action to take in this particular situation.  A few months later he decided that he wanted to take the big leap and marry her.  Of course she said yes, but that very question that he was avoiding their entire relationship came up again.  This time he felt it was the time to come clean.  She was so hurt that he did not just tell her the truth from the beginning.  She then started to think to herself, what else was he not telling her.  Eventually the relationship came to an end and he had no one to blame but himself.

As a parent I have noticed that children learn to lie at such a very young age.  It is almost like we are all programmed to learn this at some point in our lives.  My daughter is only 3-years-old and on a daily basis I catch her lying for every little thing.  Most of the time it is just to get what she wants.  I constantly find myself getting upset every time this happens.  I used to think she did not mean to lie and just simply did not understand what she was doing, but to be straight forward about the situation, she does know what she is doing to a certain extent.  In this article, “Lying” states that ”Preschoolers, tell these types of lies for the same reasons that adults do, but they often don't see anything wrong with telling a lie to gain a result they want. When children this age tell these types of lies, parents should try not to overreact" (Zolten).  We as parents need to instill in our children that lying is wrong and try to explain the benefits from not lying while they are young.

This next situation is another example of how telling the truth is always the best policy, especially if it is your family who is involved.  I was about 16-years-old at the time that my life was heading down the wrong path.  I had made many mistakes in my life and learned from them, but along the way I had learned something that I probably never should have picked up in the first place.  This was the ability to lie.  At the time I thought that I was good at it.  I was somewhat equivalent to a compulsive liar.  I used to lie about every little thing, which would get me into so much trouble with my family.  It was like I did not think before I said something and what I said was a lie.  The worst part was that I was lying to my family.  In return that got me into a place I did not want to be.  In my family's eyes I was a liar and could not be trusted.  I later realized that lying is ultimately wrong in every way possible, morally, ethically, and it just makes you look bad overall.

In this article “Is Honesty the Best Policy” written by Justin Honda I found it to be very contradicting and morally wrong.  Whether it is a white lie or a hideous lie to get you out of a life and death situation you should have done right from the beginning, then you would not find yourself having to lie in the first place.  In this article Honda writes, "Lying may not be the best solution for all the problems, but there are some cases where you may or will have to lie for the better good” (Honda).  Which I find morally and ethically wrong in any given situation you should be able to speak the truth.  It is called integrity, once you lose that you have nothing.  The word integrity means “he expects to find in us the common honesty and integrity”(Dictionary).  Being in the military, speaking the truth is expected of you as a soldier and is a part of our etho's when we swear in to the military.

Honesty is so important in our lives today and many things follow with it.  Such as to be a morally sound person is to be able to speak the truth.  It is key in life and only positive things come from telling the truth. Even if at that very moment it gets you into trouble, you would not have to worry about someone finding out about your lies and could even lead to something worse.  Your dirty laundry will always be revealed in the end. 

                               

               

Work cited:

Honda, Justin “Lying is Natural” 10/30/2010. Laulima. 10/30/2010[http://justinhonda.blogspot.com/2010/10/lying-is-natural.html]

Taddonio, Patrice. "All Lies Are Not Created Equal: Professors, Students Take an Honest
Look at Lying." Tuftsdaily.com [Tufts University] 19 Mar. 2004. 30 Oct. 2010 [http://www.tuftsdaily.com/articleDisplay.jsp?a_id=3615].

Zak, Dan. "The Truth About Lying." The Wasington Post. N.p., 25/11/2007. Web. 1 Nov 2010. <http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/11/21/AR2007112102164.html>.

Zolten, Kriten, and Nicholas Long. "Lying." Center For Effective Parenting. Center For Effective Parenting, 1997. Web. 1 Nov 2010. <http://www.parenting-ed.org/handout3/Specific%20Concerns%20and%20Problems/lying.htm>.

            

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"Honesty Is Key"

Stephen Sylvester

Hist152

RD3

10/29/10

                                                           "Honesty is key"

Today I am going to talk, to you about the word “Honesty” how it affects us and what the relationship between honesty and the quality of our lives.  (Thesis)I have learned that being truthful, and honest in any situation is the best way” Do right and you can’t go wrong”  (Thesis).  Honesty is, key in life and once you lose your trust and integrity you have nothing.

In this particular situation I will be explaining to you is a story, of a close friend of mine who was dating this girl, to me they were the perfect couple together.  Until not being truthful and honest from the beginning brought their relationship to an end.  They had been together for a few months and both had kids of their own from different partners.  He had confided in me that he never told her who the baby’s mother was.  Reason being it was his recent ex-girl friend, who was the mother of his child and the new girlfriend knew who she was.  He told me it would only cause conflict between them and would not be relevant to their relationship if he told her.  As, a friend I told him to tell her the truth about situation because although this was not blatant  lie failing to tell the whole truth or leaving something out is just as bad, as lying and he should just be honest, I ensured him this was the best course of action.  

Of course he did not listen to me and I could see how this would cause major problems in the future for them, if the relationship was to get more serious or maybe to the next level marriage.  In this article Why we don’t we catch lairs?-Truth-Telling,Lying and self-Deception” states that” In courtship, it is ambiguous whether the parties should expect truthfulness. The saying "all's fair in love and war" would seem to warn lovers not to believe all they are told.”(Ekman)  Which I feel to be true and by the outcome of their relationship proves that truth is always the best for overall quality of life. He would tell me that every time she had asked that question who was the baby’s mother? He would simply avoid it, by changing the subject whenever it came up, she knew what he was doing but she loved him so never really pressed the issue.   At the time this was happening I urged him to come clean, because not telling her was ethically wrong and this was not the right course of action to take in this particular situation.  A few months later he decided he wanted to marry her, she said yes, but that question came up again, and this time he felt it was the time to come clean.  She was so hurt that he didn’t just tell her the truth from the beginning she started to think to herself, what else was he not telling her.  Eventually the relationship came to an end and he had no one to blame but himself.

As a parent I have noticed that, children learn, to lie at such a young age, and is almost like we are all programmed to learn this at some point in our lives.  My daughter is only 3 years old and on a daily basis I catch her lying for every little thing, mostly to get what she wants.  I constantly find myself getting upset, every time this happens.  I use to think she did not mean to lie and just simply did not understand what she was doing, but to be straight forward about the situation they do know what they are doing to a certain extent.  In this article “Lying” states” Preschoolers, tell these types of lies for the same reasons that adults do, but they often don't see anything wrong with telling a lie to gain a result they want. When children this age tell these types of lies, parents should try not to overreact (Zolten).”  We as parents need to instill in our children that lying is wrong and try to explain the benefits from not lying while they are young.

This next story is another example of telling the truth is always the best policy especially, if it is your family because they will always be there for you.  I was about 16 years old and , at the time my life was heading down the wrong path.  I had made many mistakes in my life and learned from them but along the way I had learned something that I probably never should of picked up in the first place, the ability to lie and at the time thought I was good at it somewhat equivalent to a compulsive liar.  I used to lie about every little thing which would get me into so you would not find much trouble with my family, it was like I didn’t think before I said something and what I said was a lie , and the worst part was that I was lying to my family.  In return that got me to a place I did not want to be, in my families eyes I was a liar and could not be trusted.  I later realized that lying ultimately is wrong, in every way possible morally, ethically, and just makes you look bad.

In this article “Is Honesty the Best Policy” written by Justin Honda I found to be very contradicting and morally wrong whether it is a white lie or a hideous lie to get you out of a life and death situation you should have done right from the beginning, then you would not find yourself having to lie in the first place.  In this article Honda writes ‘Lying may not be the best solution for all the problems, but there are some cases where you may or will have to lie for the better good.”(Honda)  Which I find morally and ethically wrong I any given situation you should be able to speak the truth, it is called integrity once you lose that you have nothing.  The word Integrity means “he expects to find in us the common honesty and integrity.”(Dictionary)  Being in the military speaking the truth is expected of you as a soldier and is a part of our ethos when we swear in to the military.

Honesty is so important in our lives today and many things follow with it, to be a morally sound person is being able to speak the truth.  It is, key in life and only positive things come from telling the truth, even if it gets you in trouble for the moment one would not have to worry someone finding out their lies and could lead to something worse.    

                               

               

               

Work cited:

Honda, Justin “Lying is Natural” 10/30/2010. Laulima. 10/30/2010[http://justinhonda.blogspot.com/2010/10/lying-is-natural.html]

Taddonio, Patrice. "All Lies Are Not Created Equal: Professors, Students Take an Honest
Look at Lying." Tuftsdaily.com [Tufts University] 19 Mar. 2004. 30 Oct. 2010 [http://www.tuftsdaily.com/articleDisplay.jsp?a_id=3615].

Zak, Dan. "The Truth About Lying." The Wasington Post. N.p., 25/11/2007. Web. 1 Nov 2010. <http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/11/21/AR2007112102164.html>.

Zolten, Kriten, and Nicholas Long. "Lying." Center For Effective Parenting. Center For Effective Parenting, 1997. Web. 1 Nov 2010. <http://www.parenting-ed.org/handout3/Specific%20Concerns%20and%20Problems/lying.htm>.

               

False Advertisement

Stephen Sylvester

RD2

When I was growing up I used to see all these ridiculous types of ad’s and television commercials.  Even today they are still out there, but not in such an abundance.  Just by watching them I could tell that this was some type of sales gimmick or something just to get me to by their product.

[Thesis] All these advertisements are giving off a false impression of what they are really trying to convey to the consumers.  I am against these false advertisements and would like to hear the truth about each product.[Thesis]

Here, is the new Axe commercial called “wash your balls” that I watched on you tube last week.  I found that it had hit so many logical fallacies.  The first fallacy I would like to point out is in the heading of the commercial itself, “wash your balls.”  They are using populum to appeal to the consumers which are aimed at appealing to the younger generation.  The television commercial starts out with a young woman named Denise Saintclaire.  She has brunette hair and is wearing a plain grayish blue t shirt.  She is portrayed as the spokesperson for this particular Axe commercial.  She steps on stage in front of the audience and introduces herself.  A few seconds later, another woman walks out from behind the curtains and is introduced as the beautiful ex- tennis phenomenon Monica Blake.  Monica is wearing a light blue collared t shirt that looks somewhat like a tennis shirt.  She has blonde hair and it is pulled back in a ponytail with a headband.  I think that gives her a little bit more of a sporty tennis player look.  Here is a perfect example of Faulty Use of Authority.  She is not even close to a credible source of a person with good hygiene by using Axe.  The only credibility that she has is that she is a tennis super star. 

When taking a look at the background of this commercial I noticed that the stage is set up in a modern way.  It was a silver background with the company logo “Axe” lit up with lights.  The lights looked as if you were looking at yourself in a supermodels dressing room mirror.  Just like how there is lights all around the frame of the mirror.  The “Axe” logo is the spotlight of the main stage.  It was the size of almost the entire background itself.  There was a clean, white modern looking table with a dirty soccer ball placed on top of it.  The table had a built in bucket with water so that she could test the product out in front of the consumer.  The audience was filled with mostly men and some women, nodding their heads and looking very interested in the product.  Denise Saintclaire states in her first statement that “no one wants to play with dirty balls.”  In my own opinion I thought that she was implying that women do not like to play with dirty balls of the male gender.  This gives meaning to the words sex sales.  She also uses Non Sequitur and ad Hominem by saying that a regular bar of soap will not cut it and simply cannot get those balls clean.  If that were true, why would we all not switch to using Axe? Then we could all possibly sew other soap and bath wash companies for selling a product that supposedly does not work.  

In the commercial, Monica Blake starts by scrubbing the soccer ball with a green bar of soap.  She states that the bar of soap “just doesn’t cut it and it is still dirty.”  She states that Axe detailer “cleans your balls.”  Then everyone in the audience is smiling and clapping.  Then there is a number posted on the ad to call for a free Axe detailer and it again repeats the statement that the Axe detailer “cleans your balls.”  Then she cleans the dirty soccer ball and a pair of golf balls with the Axe detailer, and body wash.  Monica Blake then hands the pair of golf balls to spokesperson Denise Saintclaire.  She holds them for a second while rotating them in her hand.  She gives a few non-verbal head gestures and says “I can play with these balls all day.”  The crowd then cheers in the background.  In this Axe commercial and like all other Axe commercials, they sell their products by using sexual attraction or the false impression that women will want and desire you more.  These are such bold statements that they make with no real evidence to back up their claims.

Next they then ask the audience if they have any questions.  A few people in the audience stand up toss a few items up like dirty tennis balls, a big sack of soccer balls, and of course the product cleaned them. The commercial starts to come to an end when an old man named Mr. Hackerman walks up to the front stage.  He is rather old with little white hair and is wearing a brown coat and a light brown turtle neck shirt.  He brings to the stage with him what looks like two old medicine balls and asks if the product will clean them.  Monica Blake looks at him and says that “it can clean even his old, dirty balls.” Then the camera turns to audience and focuses in on a single individual, a young man in his prime with a sense of respect for him on his face.  Then the camera returns and the medicine balls and they are like new and the crowd goes wild.  This particular part at the end was the topping on the cake with many different types of logical fallacies.  They are also giving a false advertisement by saying that their product will even make an old person’s balls like new.  The commercial ends, then an ad comes on the screen that has the company logo and a number that you can reach them at.  The ad says to call now and have a free detailer to come and clean your dirty balls while supplies last.   

Stephen Sylvester
10/09/2010
FD2

When I was growing up I used to see all these ridiculous types of ad’s and television commercials.  Even today they are still out there, but not in such an abundance.  Just by watching them I could tell that this was some type of sales gimmick or something just to get me to by their product.  [Thesis] All these advertisements are giving off a false impression of what they are really trying to convey to the consumers.  I am against false advertisements and believe that commercials and t.v ads ultimately have a negative impact on us.[Thesis]

Here, is the new Axe commercial called “wash your balls” that I watched on you tube last week.  I found that it had hit so many logical fallacies.  The first fallacy I would like to point out is in the heading of the commercial itself, “wash your balls.”  They are using populum to appeal to the consumers which are aimed at appealing to the younger generation and target the not so popular crowd.“Commercials for products like these target the insecure. It also gives people an opportunity to take an easy way out. The exercise machine that you pay $200 for, can do what simple walking and eating right could fix. (Asato)”  The television commercial starts out with a young woman named Denise Saintclaire.  She has brunette hair and is wearing a plain grayish blue t shirt.  She is portrayed as the spokesperson for this particular Axe commercial.  She steps on stage in front of the audience and introduces herself.  A few seconds later, another woman walks out from behind the curtains and is introduced as the beautiful ex- tennis phenomenon Monica Blake.  Monica is wearing a light blue collared t shirt that looks somewhat like a tennis shirt.  She has blonde hair and it is pulled back in a ponytail with a headband.  I think that gives her a little bit more of a sporty tennis player look.  Here is a perfect example of Faulty Use of Authority.  She is not even close to a credible source of a person with good hygiene by using Axe.  The only credibility that she has is that she is a tennis super star.

 

When taking a look at the background of this commercial I noticed that the stage is set up in a modern way.  It was a silver background with the company logo “Axe” lit up with lights.  The lights looked as if you were looking at yourself in a supermodels dressing room mirror.  Just like how there is lights all around the frame of the mirror.  The “Axe” logo is the spotlight of the main stage.  It was the size of almost the entire background itself.  There was a clean, white modern looking table with a dirty soccer ball placed on top of it.  The table had a built in bucket with water so that she could test the product out in front of the consumer.  The audience was filled with mostly men and some women, nodding their heads and looking very interested in the product.  Denise Saintclaire states in her first statement that “no one wants to play with dirty balls.”  In my own opinion I thought that she was implying that women do not like to play with dirty balls of the male gender.  This gives meaning to the words sex sales.  She also uses Non Sequitur and ad Hominem by saying that a regular bar of soap will not cut it and simply cannot get those balls clean.  If that were true, why would we all not switch to using Axe? Then we could all possibly sew other soap and bath wash companies for selling a product that supposedly does not work.  

In the commercial, Monica Blake starts by scrubbing the soccer ball with a green bar of soap.  She states that the bar of soap “just doesn’t cut it and it is still dirty.”  She states that Axe detailer “cleans your balls.”  Then everyone in the audience is smiling and clapping.  Then there is a number posted on the ad to call for a free Axe detailer and it again repeats the statement that the Axe detailer “cleans your balls.”  Then she cleans the dirty soccer ball and a pair of golf balls with the Axe detailer, and body wash.  Monica Blake then hands the pair of golf balls to spokesperson Denise Saintclaire.  She holds them for a second while rotating them in her hand.  She gives a few non-verbal head gestures and says “I can play with these balls all day.”  The crowd then cheers in the background.  In this Axe commercial and like all other Axe commercials, they sell their products by using sexual attraction or the false impression that women will want and desire you more.  These are such bold statements that they make with no real evidence to back up their claims.

"In today's media there are a lot of commercials that tend to manipulate the public to spend their money."(Young)  I can strongly agree with this statement with the research I have done and believe in a way that all commercials and ads convey some form of deception.

 Next they then ask the audience if they have any questions.  A few people in the audience stand up toss a few items up like dirty tennis balls, a big sack of soccer balls, and of course the product cleaned them. The commercial starts to come to an end when an old man named Mr. Hackerman walks up to the front stage.  He is rather old with little white hair and is wearing a brown coat and a light brown turtle neck shirt.  He brings to the stage with him what looks like two old medicine balls and asks if the product will clean them.  Monica Blake looks at him and says that “it can clean even his old, dirty balls.” Then the camera turns to audience and focuses in on a single individual, a young man in his prime with a sense of respect for him on his face.  Then the camera returns and the medicine balls and they are like new and the crowd goes wild.  This particular part at the end was the topping on the cake with many different types of logical fallacies.  They are also giving a false advertisement by saying that their product will even make an old person’s balls like new.  The commercial ends, then an ad comes on the screen that has the company logo and a number that you can reach them at.  The ad says to call now and have a free detailer to come and clean your dirty balls while supplies last.  

  

I believe that ads and t.v commercials can be useful but ultimately have a negative impact on our lives.  Through my research I have proved some reasons why ads have a negative impact on our lives and society, and give false impression.

Works Cited

"Axe"Wash your balls"." Axe Detailer cleans your balls. Web. 28 Jan 2010. <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6IMwuwrkd3s&feature=related>. 

  Asato, Kristine Online posting. “KAP ENG-215: Discussion and Private Messages.” 24 September 2010. Laulima. 05 October 2010 http://klasato.blogspot.com/2010/10/eng-215w-rd1-advertising-consumerism.html

Young, Daralyn onnline posting."KAP ENG-215;Dicussion and Private Messages.”Laulima 04 october 2010.http://nylarad.blogspot.com/2010/10/wrong-impression.html



Log of Completed Activities
_x_Sep 17F- Intro to Paper #2. Read the Guidelines for Paper #2. (Confirmation reply required.)
_x_Sep 20M- Complete readings for paper #2. (Confirmation reply required.)
_x_Sep 24F- Laulima Discussion: Ad Pros and Cons
_x_Sep 28t- Laulima Discussion: Logical Fallacies Exercise
_x_Oct 4M – RD2 due [50 pts]. Review the guidelines. (Confirmation reply required.)
_x_Oct 8F- RD2 evaluations due [50 pts]. Review the guidelines. (Confirmation reply required.)
_x_Oct 12t- FD2 due [125 pts]. Review the guidelines. (Confirmation reply required.)