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Thursday, December 8, 2011

Blog Post #10 -- Barack Obama's Inaugural Address

Blog Post #10 -- Barack Obama's Inaugural Address (pg. 199-204)
Blog Started 9:19p.m.

In Barack Obama's Inaugural Address, Obama expresses his concern regarding the economy of the nation and his goal of expanding equal opportunities for all Americans. Most importantly, Obama reminds the public that "For as much as government can do and must do, it is ultimately the faith and the determination of the American people upon which this nation relies." In addition to this concept is a message rallying behind the notion that democracy and the values of humanity should be spread to other nations. He proposes that swift and decisive action must be taken to stimulate growth. I wholeheartedly agree with Barack Obama that America needs to "step up to the plate" so to speak and take responsibility (with regard to our federal deficit, among other things...) for our obligations and to embrace them with honor, respect, and dignity. Lastly, I also agree with Obama when he states that "...we reject as false the choice between our safety and our ideals". Our government should be able to manage both effectively, efficiently, and with the quality that is most necessary.

Saturday, December 3, 2011

Blog Post #9 -- "The Problem That Has No Name"

"The Problem That Has No Name" by Betty Friedan
Blog started at 8:35 p.m.

This passage by Betty Friedan shed light upon the dilemma of women of the 1960's. The Feminine Mystique discusses the role that American housewives had become fed up with. Women were questioning their purpose in life and if there was more to it than taking care of the household and children. It would appear that women wanted more independence and self-reliance. However, one has to question if that is truly the right fit to the void that women were trying to fill (pg. 464, READER pg. 126) I'm somewhat disappointed that Betty Friedan doesn't mention the possibility and potential that religion may have had upon these women nor the success or failure of the referral. I'm not advocating that women have no place in the workforce, not at all! I just think that it's a shame to see that when one DOES have the "American Dream" (a house, children, a spouse, white picket fence, etc.) they end up unsatisfied, with sentiments of unfulfillment, and a lack of purpose. Even after women gained the right to vote and work, how many of them can say that they are happy with their lives and the state of the world? In addition, how many women vote in today's day and age? A right so virtuously and fervently pursued, now with not as significant of an impact as it was thought to have. I suppose that it can be said that more things change, the more they stay the same. It would seem that people believe that the purpose of life is to be happy, and perhaps that's an achievable dream for many, but for others, it's an impossible goal, and for others still, they lie to themselves and force themselves to believe that they are happy when in truth, they are still tormented by these very same thoughts of ambition, regardless of gender.

I find that women are equal to men is some aspects of life and unfortunately unequal in others. I would be more than happy to work alongside a woman in nearly any given occupation. However, one must acknowledge that there ARE natural differences between men & women. For instance and generally speaking, women have less upper body strength than that of men. Thus, men are perhaps best suited for manual labor as opposed to women. There are double standards in society. Lastly, it is most pitiable that the age of chivalry and gentle-manliness is long gone. It may not be a direct consequence of the feminist movement, but one can see the irony in the lack of "damsels in distress".

Friday, December 2, 2011

Blog Post #8 -- "The Port Huron Statement" (READER pg. 107-114)

Blog Post #8 -- "The Port Huron Statement" by the Students for a Democratic Society
December 1, 2011 Started at 8:43 p.m.

In this essay, the Students for a Democratic Society criticize society's lack of democratic action and acknowledge the many contradictions of American values, for instance, the belief that "all men are created equal" not being fully realized as African Americans were being unjustly treated by Jim Crow segregation. Among other criticisms, the Students for a Democratic Society mention that in educational facilities, moral and social values are not being taught and that "theoretic chaos has replaced the idealistic thinking of old,", perhaps so much so that men and women alike are "unable to reconstitute theoretic order". Thus, as the Students for a Democratic Society put it, "men have condemned idealism itself". Unfortunately, I have to agree with this sentiment. It would appear that even in this day and age, there are traces of neglect with regard to even the most fundamental of human principles. The SDS wanted the "establishment of a democracy of individual participation, governed by two central aims". One of which being that individuals participate in the decisions that determine their quality of life and the other goal being that society be restructured to encourage independence in men and the perpetuation of media for the purpose of extending their participation (pg. 67 or 110 in the READER). Perhaps we have achieved the latter of the two goals with the implementation of the internet (or worldwide web) towards politics, but as for the actual involvement of individuals in political choices and the recognition of the correlation between politics and the human nature, there is certainly room for improvement.