Ethics and Intellectual Property on the Internet - Blog Post 2

What issues were most important to you in determining which side to support in this conflict?

In regards to this growing issue of illegal music-downloading and file-sharing, I would side with the artists, authors, record companies, and distributors. Each of these peoples' contributions and hard work are the result of a successful song or album, but most consumers these days simply take without paying. I think this act of piracy is the equivalence of theft, and should lead to consequences similar to what would happen if a person stole an item from a store. Without their well-earned pay for each song, artists will suffer a lack of revenue, despite the common misconception that all artists are successful millionaires. Not only does this issue hurt the artists and authors, but this simple act of downloading music for free is against the law. The advances in technology is a significant contributor to this issue, since it makes internet property so easily accessible and downloadable.

Ethics and Intellectual Property on the Internet - Blog Post 1

The CQ Researcher reading (Future of the Music Industry) is an article that basically discusses the growing availability of music that can be downloaded for free off the Internet and its consequences for both the artists and labels. It provides a lot of facts about illegal downloading and its impact on society over the years. It includes commentary and opinions from typical downloaders to celebrity artists themselves. The 2nd reading (Is music downloading the new prohibition? What students reveal through an ethical dilemma) is a study rather than an article of facts. It examines the attitudes and perceptions of college students that are actively engaged in music downloading. It relates music downloading to ethical issues and provides questions asking our own opinion of certain scenarios. Results of the report show that there is a vast range of actions and feelings toward digital downloading. The participants' opinion on the issue and their recommendations for a situation don't match up with each other. This proves that as technology evolves, it creates conflict between the way things should be and the way the law expects them to be.

The Rhetoric of the Museum Exhibit - Blog Post 2

My museum would be a museum completely based on forensic science, which is the applicattion of scientific methods and techniques to investigate crimes. These types of museums seem extremely rare, which is why there must be a museum devoted to this topic, at least somewhere in the world. Forensic science has shaped the world of justice, fuelling crime investigations and signifying the progress of modern technology. It covers: modern computer/clay facial reconstruction, DNA fingerprinting, autopsy techniques, forensic anthropology, toxicology, etc. My museum will contain exhibits dedicated to each of these aspects of forensic science. This museum will ultimately educate visitors on the procedures and history of the evolution of forensic science over the years and will be aimed towards pre-teens and college students that have an interest in this particular area of study. 

The Rhetoric of the Museum Exhibit - Blog Post 1

The California African American Museum, located in Los Angeles, is a place to "research, collect, preserve, and interpret for public enrichment, the history, art and culture of African Americans." It contains more than 3,500 pieces of paintings, photographs, sculptures and artifacts that represent the diverse contributions of African Americans. It includes three large exhibition galleries, a sculpture room, theater gallery, conference center and special events room, an archive, and a research library. One of the exhibitions that left a strong impression on me was the Gallery of Discovery, where it displays America's past and its African American heritage through the use of video and music demonstrations, artifacts, and 3-D depictions, and hands-on learning experiences. All in all, it is the perfect place to visit for more knowledge in African American history and its effect in American society today.

A view of the entrance to the museum.

The Gallery of Discovery, one of the main exhibits that displays the origin and history of African American culture.

Two of the many artifacts in the museum.

http://www.caamuseum.org/index.htm

The Rhetoric of Apology - Blog Post 2

What effect do you think an apology would accomplish in this case?  Would it help or hurt? Explain.

One thing that Governor Sanford has failed to achieve is fulfilling his responsibilities as husband, father, and governor. First, he hurt his loyal, supporting wife by having sexual relations with another woman. Second, he failed to act as a role model for his four sons and brought unwanted attention and embarrassment upon his family. And finally, he disappointed the South Carolina public by failing to carry out his gubernatorial duties. All these severe infidelities should have been reason enough for him to offer three apologies – one as husband, one as father, and one as governor. In this way, he would be making some attempt in restoring his family life, earning back the trust of the people for his dereliction of duty, and ultimately rebuilding the government he had undermined.

The Rhetoric of Apology - Blog Post 1

Incident: Mark Sanford, former governor of South Carolina and a rumored presidential candidate for the 2012 elections, admits to and apologizes for an extramarital affair with an Argentine woman. In addition, he misinforms the public, including his wife, of his whereabouts for six days in June 2009. Upon his return, he tells the press that he was "hiking the Appalachian Trail" when he was actually in Argentina with a woman he had been friends with for some time. On top of that, the trips he took to visit the Argentine woman were paid for by taxpayers of South Carolina. He was eventually charged with 37 violations by the State Ethics Commission, including 18 instances when he flew first or business class instead of third class, nine improper uses of state aircraft, and 10 counts of using campaign money for personal or nonbusiness expenses.

Video of his apology to the public.

The majority of the public agree that his first attempt at an apology was ineffective. He merely provided lame excuses and explanations of his wrongdoing in a wordy, unorganized matter.

Opinion - Leadership in South Carolina
Sanford Sex Scandal Grows: Did Governor Use Tax Money to Finance Affair?

Blog Post 2

Think of an example of partisan rhetoric that has been criticized for its content or tone. Do you believe it is dangerous or incendiary? Why or why not?

For the past month, Sarah Palin has been a target for her misuse of partisan rhetoric: in a public, Facebook video, she claimed that she was the victim of "blood libel" - which is the original term for blaming Jews for the death of Jesus and for an anti-Semitic rally that led to numerous deaths of Jews. People, especially rabbis, found this remark insensitive and offensive to Holocaust survivors and other victims of anti-Semitism (Grossman). Ironically, her "fiery" rhetoric has also caused people to link her to the deadly Tucson shooting in January 2011. Partisan rhetoric is definitely dangerous and incendiary; it makes the speaker sound insensitive and can easily offend the people of either side of an issue.

Civility and Bipartisanship

Many people believe that civility and bipartisanship are widely considered positive methods in relation to the political atmosphere of the United States. Congress even considers bipartisanship the most reliable approach to legislative government. Although this system of speech is often encouraged, what people do not know is that "playing it safe" in regards to an issue often masks the direness and deeper insights of a severe issue. Vague approaches to an issue will only lead to confusion and possibly, not even a definite solution. These "feel good" responses brought upon by politicians indicate the artificial and misleading political world we live in.

Update

As I've begun writing the first two pages of my essay, I noticed a couple of new points that I could make of the song in relation to the California Dream.

The beginning of the song shows us that the singer made an impulsive decision to head out to California in hopes of having a career in Hollywood. The lyrics read: "Got on board a west bound seven forty seven / Didn't think before deciding what to do"(Hammond 1-2).
Also, I noticed that the "rain" in the song is used as a metaphor for the false idea of opportunity and success in California.

My views of the song or of the "Dream" have not evolved or changed in any way.

California Dreamin' Song

"It Never Rains in Southern California" by Albert Hammond

This song is a perfect example of the illusion that is often established of California. People often think California is the place to start anew and leave all their troubles behind. They think it as a place filled with opportunities. This song is the counter of that belief. The song begins with the singer traveling to the West, assuming that he will come across countless new opportunities. However, as the song progresses, he realizes that California is not so much the sunny, safe haven he wanted and says that he wants to go back home. The lyrics, in a way, deny the California Dream and are filled with disappointment.

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

19th of January

I'm sitting here in Writ 130, creating this blog for class.
Yiperee for blogs.