Article Analysis

The argument my article was trying to make wasn't exactly hidden, it was explicitly expressed in the title " Vote No on con-con question". I found this article in the opinion section of the local newspaper , The Winnetka Talk. The author's name is not given. Every twenty years voters must decide whether a constitutional convention should be held to rewrite the Illinois constitution.  The author says " We have a good constitution that serves the state. That's why there is no hue and cry for a new one." The author disputes the pro con-con argument that says a new constitution is the only way to resolve issues that the leaders are unwilling to fix. They agree that there are pressing issues that need attention, but says " They are political issues to be resolved by the state's elected representatives for a certain time and place, not determined and enshrined for all time in a constitution." Also, they mentions that it may cost up to $80 million dollars to revise, as well as a lot of time. This is a logical appeal, they are saying that the constitution cannot be used as a way to fix issues, that is the job of elected officials. Also, saying "for all time" makes the idea seem impractical. They use the example of Patrick Quinn, a man who made a cutback amendment to the constitution created yet another issue with the constitution, which the pro con-con side wants fixed. The author says " What other supposed constitutional fixes will have similar unintended consequences?" This example appeals to logic again, if amending the constitution didn't work in the past, why would it work now? The author concludes their argument by saying " We have tough issues facing us in Illinois that require political courage and much political skill. But we don't require a new constitution." 

I believe that this was a very successful argument. The author doesn't try to disguise their opinion as fact, instead they blatantly state "Vote No". The article appeals to logic by using the Patrick Quinn example and providing a lot of fact. The author doesn't deny the issues that face Illinois, he just states another more effective way of dealing with them. The cost of the revision made me really doubt whether it is necessary. This is both a logical and emotional appeal, because it seems like a large amount of money in an economically perilous time. The author constantly refers to other sides beliefs, and uses evidence to prove why they are wrong. Obviously there is bias, but the evidence given makes the author's opinion more credible. It is clearly written by someone who not only has passion, but knowledge of the subject. Although I cannot vote, I still connect with the author because the issues they mentioned effect my everyday life. I thought the argument was a very logical approach to the issue and was persuaded by the evidence put forth by the author. The ending quote was particularly powerful, it called for courage and skill, which I think our leaders need to have more of. The article succeeded in persuading me, and I'm sure it did for other readers. If I could vote, I would definitely vote no on the con-con issue.

Magic on the Field Turns Deadly

            This Sunday 13 people were killed at a soccer match in eastern Congo in a riot that broke out after one of the players was accused of using witchcraft. The majority of the victims were between the ages of 11-16. They were suffocated as the crowds hurried out of the stadium. I had often thought that witchcraft was something of the past. When I think of witchcraft I think of the Salem Witch Trials and Puritan prosecutions. It was interesting to me to find out that many people in Africa still believe in witchcraft. Many African people have suffered, whether it has been civil war, genocide, or starvation. Witchcraft is one thing that the people may turn to during these "Perilous Times". One of our country's earliest perilous time was the Salem Witchcraft Trials. 

The majority of Western society views witchcraft to be devil worship or something from the past. It is normally frowned upon or thought as strange. We fail to remember that in other countries they rely on witchcraft or magic to get them through difficult times. Many people think it to be "hocus pocus" due to stereotypes. At the end of the article there were comments that were rude about the spectator's belief in witchcraft, but i think it is important to respect other people's ways of coping with hard times. In Africa they have believed in witchcraft for thousands of years, long before other established religions were brought over by missionaries, which is probably why they still believe in it. Western society may find this is strange, but I think it is wrong to discredit their beliefs especially after such a tragic event. Here is the article if you are interested in reading it. 

Pocahontas

This weekend while babysitting I watched the classic Disney movie Pocahontas. Disney accurately portrayed the ideas of the settlers in the song "The Virginia Company", the men went over to "The New World" searching for gold and glory. Unlike the usual stories that make the settlers out as heroes, Disney accurately portrays them as greedy and prejudice against any natives they might meet. The song "Savages" is a very honest account of the views that many Europeans had about the Native Americans. The kids I were babysitting were surprised to find out that the white settlers were "mean" to the Indians. The Powhatan tribe was featured in the film, Disney played close attention to details and were very accurate in their description of this tribe.
However, Disney did not end the story truthfully. When John Smith and Pocahontas meet, Pocahontas magically learns to speak English. Pocahontas is one of the only Disney films to feature inter-racial marriage, however their is no historical evidence that this romance ever occurred. The film ends with the English settlers and Powhatan tribe going to war. In the movie the leader of the English, Governor Ratcliffe tries to shoot the chief, but John Smith valiantly jumps in front of him, and takes the bullet. Disney failed to represent the true story of what happened in order to have a more romantic and child-friendly ending. This is unfortunate because it prevents children from learning what really happened when the first settlers came to North America and from understanding more about Native American culture. Kids are left with the impression that the settlers were all heroes like John Smith, and that greedy governors were punished for their actions. I believe that the earlier children learn the true history of the Native American people they have a better chance of understanding how it affected American history. Disney never claimed Pocahontas to be a "real" story, but many kids accept it as true. I think that this will prevent them from fully learning the truth about how our country became the way it is today.

First Post

This is my first post!