Presidential Debate

 

On September 26, 2016 the majority of Americans turned their TVS on to watch the Presidential Debate. Viewers finally got to see the infamous Trump and Hillary go head to head in what seemed like a never ending 90-minute debate.

Hillary wasted no time in trying to appeal to viewers. In her first response she used pathos by stating that it was her granddaughters second birthday. She then went on to say that because of this she spends a lot of time thinking about what type of country we want to be and what kind of future we'll build together.

From the time candidates enter the race till election day, their speeches are filled with promises. Trump claimed he would stop jobs from leaving the US. And some of Hillary's included raising the national minimum wage, guarantee equal pay for women's work, debt free college, and paid family leave/sick days. Although all of these promises sound great, the likelihood of them all getting done are slim. But these promises are what draw voters in. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BEJFWoAVJz4 

Trump seemed to be rough around the edges and repetitive. Granted, the mediator Lester Holt was harsher on him than Hillary. During one of his responses you see Trump also use pathos by referring to his ten year old grandson.

Although both candidates were interruptive, Trump did seem to do it more frequently. I believe this effected his credibility. Hillary realized this and that's why she told viewers that you could "fact-check" on her website.

 ***

Does Trump play volleyball because he set Hillary up for a perfect quote. "And you know what else I prepared for? I prepared to be president. And I think that's a good thing." It's clear Hillary believes in herself unlike Trump. She even took time during the debate to promote herself by telling viewers she wrote a book about her plan called "Stronger Together" and that it could be purchased in your nearest airport. 

Maybe if we apologize to the Queen she'll take us back. Because at the end of this debate I found myself longing to hear the words "Live from New York, it's Saturday Night Live!"

Unfortunately, I did not. Although you can here at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-nQGBZQrtT0.

Presentation Peer Review.

Overall, I thought the class did a wonderful job with their presentations. Everyone was well spoken and seemed to be well rehearsed. Most students appeared to be knowledgeable on their choice of topic. I enjoyed hearing everyone talk about what they were passionate about.

The majority of presentations used the principles of C.R.A.P well. For example, bolding and coloring certain words that were important a different color so that they would stand out. Several students also played videos that were relevant to their topic. This gave them as well as the audience a break from lecturing and listening. The videos were a great added visual, even if some were sad. (I.e. the one on animal abuse)
Most presentations were easy on the eyes because they weren't too wordy. Although I would have liked to see the layout of some pictures done differently. But as stated before, overall, I thought everyone did an excellent job!

Exercise 6.8 The Toulmin Argument

Many colleges and universities have instituted online education programs. These programs are the best way to learn for those who are in the workforce but still wish to get a higher education. If colleges are going to meet the rising demand for education, they must create more of these programs and make them more available. The online course I took was able to help me in reaching my goal of a higher education while working. Recent studies show that by pursuing a higher education through an online education program, individuals are able to incur less debt.

Exercise 6.7 The Rogerian Argument

With more and more students taking online courses, both the students and the colleges benefit. For example, colleges who offer online courses won't have to hire as many professors. This will help them cut down on costs. In addition, students who participate in online schooling will be able to reduce the amount of money spent on transportation to and from school. However, online education does have some drawbacks. For instance, if an individual only takes online courses, he or she might have difficultly staying disciplined enough to get the work done; resulting in a poor or failing grade. These problems could be easily solved. First, by creating a hybrid program similar to the one offered here at Georgia Gwinnett College. Second, by taking tests in the classroom mandatory. If these problems are addressed, both students and colleges would benefit because both parties would be able to reduce their spending.

Pro life.

Physician assisted suicide is a topic that hits close to home for me. A year ago last August, I believe my grandfather was killed via non-voluntary euthanasia (sometimes known as a mercy killing).
Years prior he had been diagnosed with cancer. After his diagnosis, he decided that he would not go through with chemotherapy, radiation, or any other form of treatment. He was content with the life he had lived and decided he would live out the remaining days God had planned for him... however many that may be.

While my grandparents were staying with us, my grandfather started experiencing excoriating back pain. Yet he was still able to walk around and do normal activities. Being a veteran, and wanting to help his pain, my mother took him to the VA. During his week stay in ICU, the doctors withheld food and water from my grandfather. And my family and I were instructed not to give him anything either. The doctor(s) believed that my grandfather would aspirate if given any food or liquid.

Being a smoker, he had several other health conditions such as COPD. He was put on a CPAP and BIPAP machine (something he had never needed or used in his life). These machines were kept on him 24/7 and we were discouraged to take them off while visiting. When my family brought our concerns to my grandfathers team of doctors about his lack of meals they fitted him for a feeding tube. Yet it was never used. Whenever we were at the hospital, which was practically all hours of visitation, the feeding machine was never on.
Mid week, my mother, grandmother, and I, met with the team of doctors and the decision to move my grandfather to a Palliative care facility was made. The morning of his death, an unrequested dose of morphine was administered. In route to the facility, later that day, my grandfather passed away.

As I began my own grieving process, I started writing; which is a coping mechanism of mine. I also began googling questions I had since the VA had been in the spotlight for killing veterans. Little did I know, I would be exposed to the whole world of physician assisted suicide. I read several stories that were eerily similar to my grandfathers. http://www.hospicepatients.org/hospice-nurse-observes-euthanasia.html
It wasn't until then that I began to allow myself to believe what had just taken place. My family and I blindly put our faith in my grandfathers team of doctors. After all, aren't doctors meant to heal the injured? We never would have imagined this happening to someone, let alone a loved one. In the beginning you feel guilty for even thinking that someone is capable of murder. Whether or not they see it as a "mercy killing". But this is what happens when a human plays God.

This is why I believe physician assisted suicide should not be legalized. Instead, it should be outlawed. It's a dangerous practice and no one should ever have the power to take another's life.
And the fact that physician assisted suicide is already happening illegally, without consequence,
is appalling. Instead of individuals fighting for the so called "Right-to-die" they should be pushing for better hospice and palliative care.
It's a no brainer that most religious people such as Christians and Jews believe that physician assisted suicide is wrong. The current Pope claims that physician assisted suicide offers a false sense of compassion and treats a human person as a problem and many people who are against it share this view. Even in individuals who don't believe in God, they still believe that suffering has value.