Thesis, First Paragraph

     Texas governor Rick Perry announced on August 13, 2011 that he would in fact campaign to become the next President of the United States. This announcement came with an abundance of criticism. Jon Huntsman, former governor of Utah, commented that we "all need prayers" referring to the known fact that Perry is a devout Christian whose faith defines his politics.
     The two political cartoons that I chose to compare both deal with the religious aspects of Perry's campaign. My first cartoon from John Cole, a political cartoonist from Waverly, PA, portrays Perry walking on water. This refers to Jesus walking on water as described in the Bible. Perry is walking on top of what I assume to be American citizens. Each person is wearing a shirt with a specific issue that Americans are facing today. These issues range from education cuts, the uninsured, and minimum wage workers. My second cartoon from Dave Grunland also portrays Perry as a "godly" figure as well.  In this cartoon Perry has a picture of George W. Bush in one hand and what appears to be a bible with the words "prepare for second coming" on the cover as if Perry is Jesus Christ returning.

Cartoon #2

In this cartoon Dave Granlund portrays Perry as "Godly" while he is holding a picture of George W. Bush in one hand and what seems to be a bible with "Texan Miracle" written on the cover.  Granlund depicts that people should prepare for the second coming of Bush. He has both Bush and Perry dressed in the same clothing which draws attention to similar beliefs. Grunlund talking of the "second coming" depicts the coming of Christ which then again relates to Perry's campaign strategies. 

Cartoon #1

This is a political cartoon by John Cole, a political cartoonist from Waverly, PA. This cartoon depicts Perry running for president of the United States. Perry, who's campaign is highly religious based, is dressed as Jesus walking on water. There are people who are underwater who represents different issues we as Americans are facing. Cole portrays Perry as being "holy" and "above the average citizen." This is a one frame cartoon and it uses both image and words. The people who are underwater has writings on their shirts such as minimum wage worker, uninsured, and he also uses drawings of one child on the shoulders of another with the words "education cuts" on their shirts. I feel Cole really hit the religion aspect because as I said before Perry's speaks about religion in his campaign speeches.

Blog #5

The readings assigned for 9/15 are very different than the ones we have read before. I feel all of the poems for this week have to do with dying. Most of them talk about somebody using alcohol. They also speak of some type of insect. I am not sure of the meaning of this. They speak of spiders and deadly beetles which both could cause death. The poem I chose to write about is "Chicken Bucket" by Jennifer Knox. I found this poem sad. I felt Cassie was doomed from the start. She seemed to be a normal child at some point in her life because she talked of being in 4-H. Her home life was not good at all. Cassie's mama and her boyfriend were not good role models because they abused alcohol and drugs with Cassie. I feel she had sex with these men to fill a void in her life. The fact that she behaved like this is in a sense the "death" of her innocence, her childhood. Death occurs again when she gets back home and she can't find her mother. Rick knows where she is but doesn't tell Cassie. He then marries Cassie and they have a baby. I find this poem sad and their are probably a lot of young girls going through this type of situation even here in America.

Blog #4 Chilton Essay

The main idea of this essay is that the drug problem in Mexico falls solely on the cartels. She also speaks of Mexico having a weak government and corrupt law enforcement. I feel her thesis is the blaming of the drug cartels. I do somewhat agree with Chilton but I also put the blame on those who support the cartels. Without drug users and middlemen the cartels could not profit or succeed. Yes it is up to the government to protect those who are not affiliated with the cartels but they can't go it alone. I feel the citizens of Mexico need to take a stand as well. I have watched some news coverage on this war against drugs in Mexico and it is very violent. It seems as if nobody is safe to even walk down the street.  I would have to agree with Chilton's interpretation of the cartoon. It does seem as if the cartoonist is portraying the pinata' as Mexico and the drug cartel is stealing the lives right out of the country.  I feel Chilton repeats herself somewhat. I felt as if I was reading the same thing over and over again. Although I do think it is a very good essay.

Blog #3 "America" by Allen Ginsberg

This is a very complex poem.  I feel that is is written maybe post-World War II. He speaks of the nuclear bombing and what I think is some kind of Asian policy. I feel when he is referring to the supermarket he is actually talking about America. It is known that if you have good looks you tend to get ahead in life here in America. He goes on to talk about the media and how he hates it yet he reads "Time Magazine" to know what is going on in the rest of the world. When Ginsberg is talking about selling his strophes I think he is making a reference of selling his work like a car salesman. He also talks about how we as Americans are afraid of Russia when we have no reason to be because we as a nation are bankrupt. He ends his poem by talking about the discrimination that us so evident in this country.

Blog #2 Response to Goldstein's essay

In my opinion I feel that cartoons can be dangerous and hurtful.  It seems very easy for somebody to depict a not so pretty picture of someone else in a cartoon especially when it comes to politics. When a person writes words about another person it is generally straight to the point, in cartoons whoever reads it can interrupt it in many different ways. Drawings of people can be very hurtful as well.  The person who is drawing the cartoon can have the wrong idea of what it is they are drawing.  The author could think a certain something or someone could be trying to persuade people that a subject that is considered controversy to agree with or go against the idea all together. Not realizing that the meaning of the whole story is completely opposite of what they are interrupting it to be.Many question whether the cartoonist is bias or maybe even a bit sensitive of their work. In the end most cartoons end up hurting or offending somebody in this world. I feel that the cartoons that hit on subjects such as sexuality, some politics, and the cartoons that "put women in their place" should be censored.

analysis of first poem

I know what I am doing