A Man's Image

Most guys would agree that their overall image isn't really a big deal except when trying to hook up a member of the opposite sex. Obviously image is important to us guys because, hey, who wants to look like a white-trash loser. Men's overall image is significantly less desired, as it is with females, but still somewhat important. For example, women get up three hours before they have to be somewhere, in order to get ready. Guys, we get up 30 mins before we have to be somewhere and have a simple routine of wake up, scratch, take a piss, and the hope in the shower. Not trying to be sexist, but its true, women take a hell of a lot longer than guys but in the end it works out extremely well for the women.

As we know, when girls are ready to go somewhere, they broadcast "sexiness" and "hotness" but how important is it for guys? One of the biggest things guys, detest about their image is the weight factors. Most guys go on diets and "watch their weight" either to score with a chick or because they themselves are too embarrassed about it. One reason this happens, could be because guys have this image of the perfect girl that is nothing less than the product of God himself, they look in the mirror and see this gross fat guy that couldn't score with a pig. Believe it or not, most girls don't mind a little weight on a guy, clearly not too much. Muscles are a good thing to have but most girls don't like too much unless your name is Arnold Schwarzenegger...

Body Image

People are way too concerned with their bodies and how people perceive them. Mostly girls, but some guys too, are caught up in the need and desire to have that perfect body that it seems only supermodels can get. Fat kids take diet pills to thin out and some people develope diseases such as Bulimia and Anorexia. But should we really be paying attention that much to stick our fingers down our throats and "chuck" the excess weight away?

I tended to side with the first article by Jillian Croll. She presented the facts such as viewing more TV than attending school. Its true, our kids are affected by what they see on TV. The Second article by Eric Wilson seemed a little more opionionated than the first article but still helpful. While the first article focused more on charts and statistics where as the second article also had more statistics but it was more reader friendly and easier to digest.

Ultimately, kids are going to be influenced by what they see around them, its all part of being a kid. Whether you like it or not, kids are going to go through this. Maybe rather than getting rid of the barbies or censoring any part of Nicole Richie that seems to send the wrong messages, parents need to control what their kids watch and help them out when they do get self-conscious about maybe looking too fat. Thats what parents are for, guide their kids and help them out whenever nessicary...

"I Have a Dream"

Martin Luther King's "I Have a Dream" speech is obviously is most famous speech which in a sense is one of the most defining events during the civil rights movement. Dr. King makes a lot of references to the Declaration of Independence as well as Abraham Lincoln and the Emancipation Proclamation. He is trying to open the eyes of the average American by saying that even though the Constitution says "All men are created equal." that in fact, not all men are "equal" at that point in history. He uses the "Dream" to outline what society could be like if everyone were to begin accepting one another. He points out that Slavery might be over and African Americans are now "free", things like Segregation and the Jim Crowe laws are holding them back from enjoying simple freedoms like a nice quiet bus ride or a nice stroll across the bridge in Selma. He concludes with, "Free at last, Free at last, Thank God Almighty, We are free at last. This quote in a sense sums up all of the struggles and abuses of the Civil Rights Movement...

Revising

Revising is one of the most, if not the most, key parts to any academic writing. Revision is the step between rough draft and final draft where the paper goes from being a P.O.S to a masterpiece. One of the biggest things to watch for during the revision stage is spelling, capitalization, etc, or basic grammar. Let face it, everyone makes mistakes and checking yourself is a good way to idiot-proof your writing. You also want to watch how you have structured your paper. Now is the perfect time where you have a chance to sit back and decide whether or not your paper is on-topic, follows the thesis to the letter, and has perfect flow. If not, now is the time to fix it. So sit back, take your time, even wait a few hours after writing your itinial draft to allow yourself to "forget" everything you have written so that you can have a chance to fix your errors.

5 Years After 9/11

The article this week was (ex)President Bush's speech on the 5th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks. He gives the current state of the War on Terror and the steps needed to be able to attain victory. He remembers the events of that fateful day but he also acknowledges the heroics of those who lived and fell. Bush stated that the Al Qaeda continues its Anti-American/Western stances and continues to oppose the US. Bush outlines how the CIA and Dept. of Homeland security are functioning and several foiled terrorism plots to boost their image.

I thought that this article was very interesting. First off, I agree that the events of 9/11 needed military response. However, I totally disagree with the way the War of Terror is being waged. Afganistan was a partial success in that the military drove the Talaban and Al Qaeda out of power. However, they didn't finish the job. All they did was to turn the lights on and watch the roaches scurry under the fridge. They are still there they are just hiding. Thats why you call the exterminator to get rid of the rest. Basically, in this metaphor, Bush and the military tried to take out the "roaches" but going to the neighbors house and turning on their lights. My biggest beef with Bushy is that the job in Afganistan isn't finished and He rushed into Iraq for no reason...

The Old Flawed Arguement

The article was a very interesting read in that this was clearly something that was written over 100 to 200 years ago. The article talks about the high birth rate in British Isles and the authors proposed solution. The article stated that most mothers of this time were filthy beggars who were basically homeless. To make matters worse, this mothers generally had multiple kids, who would become mirror images of their mothers except the children would generally turn into theives or common criminals. The authors solution was to offer the kids jobs that would give them some money but also keep them out of trouble.

I thought the article was very interresting. The language was unexpected and tended to make the reading that much more difficult. As for the article itself, I believe it could be considered a flawed arguement. One reason is becuase of the time it was written. 100-200 years ago takes away the relevancy. Another reason is because puttting children to work at a young age is dangerous and potentially harmful to a child. However, the time period was different and standards of these kinds didn't exist. I would say that this article would be good for the past time frame, not the present...

An Inconvient Truth: "Fatness"

The articles for the week were based on the issue of the obesity epidemic and if the government has the right to intervene. The first article acknowledged the obesity crisis but clearly stated the government has no right to interfere with what we Americans are shoveling into our mouths. They also said that most people falsely put the blame onto the fast food chains rather than on themselves. The other article was the exact opposite of the first. The article claimed that the obesity crisis is due to fast food chains failing to clear state what is in the food and who they target. The article claims that fast food chains are the number one cause for childhood obesity.

I tend to side with the first article on the issue of obesity. In my work at Walt Disney World, I can in fact confirm that most Americans are fatass, overwieght, P.O.S's. However, I don't believe that the government or anyone else has the right to tell you that you can help yourself to just one more KFC drumstick. I believe that most people are using the fast food companies as a scapegoat. Yeah, they don't clearly state what is in their food, but even if they did, how many of us would actually read the bloody labels. Very little, if any. People need to stop blaming others and realize that they themselves are to blame. At Disney, I have seen, on numerous occasions, children of ten years of age, riding in strollers because they are too fat and lazy to walk. If you are fat and are wondering why, just look into a mirror and you get your answer...