Divorce Trend

For better or worse, until death do us part? This is a line that everyone has heard at least once in his or her lives. Marriage vows are said right before the legal bond of marriage is made here in the United States. I often wonder how seriously these vows are taken during this most recent decade as it seems more people are divorced than not.  The divorce rates are certainly high since this most recent recession but one has to wonder if that’s accurate and if so, why?

Throughout the history of the United States, marriage was viewed in a lot of cases as a binding agreement. You married for life and not just until you grew bored of each other. When looking deeper into the subject I think it has a lot to do with people are a lot more open to the idea. Back in the day a woman who was divorced was looked down upon. Now if a woman or man is unhappy in a relationship they have the freedom to make the choice to leave.

Sept 10 Article Reflection

For the past few hundred years the United States has been a big player in world affairs. It prides itself with its democratic values and the fact that its people have such a large say in who leads the country. However it is true that you really have to wonder how the rest of the world views the United States. The United States only contributes to about 5% of the world but at the same time has a large upper hand in world affairs.

            I found these articles really interesting because it made me think of my own perspective as a distant observer in world news and wars over seas. The two articles really demonstrate how much media affects how people view certain things, which can have a really big effect on the stability of a country. In the Brazil article it goes into detail about how they view the United States as a Bully. According to the article “Bullies are quick to make a person feel two emotions: fear of what they might do and anger over what they have done.” At first when reading that first line my first instinct as an American was think, not my country the land of the free, home of the brave and all that jazz. I decided to put myself in the position of the other countries and really thought about it. When I thought about it made me think of what is the All American Bully, so instantly I thought of the bully on the Simpson’s, Nelson. He is always holding you down, trying to take (borrow) your money and even though he doesn’t outwardly say it want to be strategic and have the most control. However, when all is said and done I don’t view America like that but I can understand why other countries do. Brazil’s media really did give the United States the appearance of going completely against the United Nations for their own person gain. In the article I have to disagree with the way it was written. It very adamantly described how Brazil thought that the United States was being “domineering” and just invading Iraq for its own gain and take control over the oil. The missed a key point, that being that nearly 3,000 people died on September 11, 2001 and it was becoming a matter of national security. I can only imagine the Brazilian media’s coverage on that tragedy.

            It was also interesting to read on the perspective of the Chinese especially taking into account that they haven’t always had extensive media coverage. It kind of surprised me how any country could view war as a “game” but I guess when you are that far from it and also trying to keep your countries best interest in mind it is just best to stay out of it and remain neutral on the topic. The main idea though that these articles have in common is that in the end each country is heavily influenced by the media and in the end will believe whatever puts their country in the best and brightest light.

My Memoir

It’s been over three years, but I still remember the sound of his voice or the feel of his sweaters when he hugged me and I will never forget the smell of Sunday dinners. It’s strange how the ones we love the most never really leave us. It’s as if their memories are holding their place while they are gone. I will never forget my Papa Louie. He was one of the people who had one of the biggest influences on my life. Not everyone got along with my grandfather, he was a stubborn, strong willed man and held very true to what he thought was right. However, In my eyes Papa could do no wrong. He inspired my loved of cooking and bringing your family together around the dinner table. He showed me that family always came first.

            It was a Monday evening, the week before I was to graduate high school and my phone alerted me that I had a voicemail. I pressed play to hear my papa’s voice on the other end, “Hi sweetheart it’s papa I just wanted to tell you that I got your beautiful invitation for your graduation and I just wanted to tell you that I wouldn’t miss it for the world, call me back.” I called him back and chit chatted for a few minutes before saying our goodbyes, little did I know but that was the last time I was going to hear his voice.

            I walked into my house and within minutes I knew that something was wrong, and it was. My Papa woke up early Wednesday morning to go to the firehouse like he did every morning. He has a massive heart attack that took his life and my world away from me.

            This event in my life taught me how fleeting life can be, how quickly the ones we love can be gone forever. I have carried this with me all through college. I am now graduating this spring from college and plan to live a life as full and completely as my grandfather would want for me.

Response to Article

I found the article “Iranians and Media Coverage of the War in Iraq: Rhetoric, Propaganda, and Contradiction,” very interesting. I think there is a lot to be said about the medias influence on war and big events. A country is only as strong as it's people and media has a really big influence on its people. So if the people are thinking that are tens of thousand of deaths their opinions on the war are going to be very different than if deaths have been kept to a minimum. This article really made me think about the media coverage on September 11^th more than anything because I remember watching it. The only information that we have access to is delivered by the media. What if our news castings had been censored like those in the west, would we have different opinions on those horrific events? I think it really is so wrong that people are being misinformed on something so big. It hard to make clear, rational opinions when all the facts are being skewed.  It is clear that Saddam was a cowardly man and did everything in his power to make sure that the people in Iraq felt negatively towards Americans and the war so he could have the ultimate control.