Obamas stance not Seen

For my arguement on fact i used an article from the Defense Daily International. This talks about the candidates stance on foriegn defense contracts and involvement in the pentagon. The author begin by saying while John McCain has already said that he favors more foreign contracts Barack Obamas stance remains unclear. The author uses facts and quotes from Obamas campaign management to back his alligations and further continues to explain conflicts that are happening that have already showed his unclear stance on the "Buy America" issue. He then uses more quotes from defense contracters and political anaylist like the Teal Group further backing his claims that Obamas stance is still unseen.

Letter to the Editor

Letter to the Editor

Although he is right in the fact that is necessary to have a well conceived plan for removal of troops from Iraq, I believe that the author of this article has not completely looked at the facts that are now circulating through the American public. Although it is not an immediate plan for removal John McCain does have plan for removal of troops from Iraq. Until the political situation in Iraq has been solved it is ill conceived to start pulling troops out. Iraq’s government needs to be stable before we leave because if we leave Iraq’s government in its current state, it is open to attack from the very people that used to oppress them. The problem is not with the American government, like the author says it is with the Iraqi’s refusal to compromise over political matters. This however does not mean it is President Bush’s fault or John McCain’s. In order to solve the Iraqi problem the US needs to start making compromises with the Iraqi government. John McCain’s plans for withdrawal include such compromises that will ensure that troops will be removed from a secure Iraqi government that will be able to defend itself. This also solves the problem in Afghanistan. McCain’s plan will ensure that a steady withdrawal from Iraq will allow more troops to be transferred to Afghanistan to help bolster forces dealing with the Taliban. As for Obama’s plans for Iraq, he has promised full troop removal by 2010. While this may give the Iraqi’s the space they’ve been wanting it also leaves them open to attack. With fewer forces in Iraq insurgents will almost assuredly come down on the remaining US troops in the country. Another problem with Obama’s plan is that by leaving troops in Iraq and ordering more to Afghanistan he will be creating a two front War as the troops in Iraq will undoubtedly need support when the insurgents begin to take advantage of the weakened American presence. As for the 4,500 troop’s president Bush has promised for Afghanistan, it is really opinion in how effective they will be. Other sources have stated that this number will be enough to hold the Taliban until the situation in Iraq can be fully resolved. I do believe, however, that the author makes a good point in saying that American forces are be overtaxed and that the American government needs to switch its attention from Iraq to Afghanistan. Although current enlistment rates are higher than previous years the number of new troops cannot meet the increasing demands in the Middle East, especially in Afghanistan. Although the insurgents are still a threat that needs dealing with, the brunt of the US army needs to be focused on the reemergence on the Taliban.
Although I disagree with him on several points, I believe the author of this article makes a valid argument on several key points in the 2008 presidential campaign. Whether his views will come to light, that is up to the American people and the candidate that will become the next US president.


Note, i added the Link to my Article so everyone should be able to see it now.

War Policy

For my article i chose a peice from the New York times. In the author argues how hopeless the war in iraq is. He explains how president Bush or the GOP nominee John McCain have not come up with solid plans for removal from Iraq. He says that both have hopeless dreams of winning a war that can't be one, citing that the US does not have enough troops to back up their hopes. he also argues that the Iraqi government is also growing tired of US occupation and wishes the US would simply pack up and leave. He also argues that barack Obamas plan for Iraq is sensable and that removing troops from Iraq qill help with the growing need of Troops in Afaganistan.
While i would love to tell this guy of in this BLog i think that will have to wait. My chosen topic for Unit 1 is the War Policy of the 2008 canadites because i believe it is one of if not the most important issue at hand. Not because of the length for which the war has spanned but because the war in Iraq is the first thing the new president will ineviatbly have to deal with.

A link to my Article http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/10/opinion/10wed1.html?_r=1&scp=1&sq=Still%20no%20exit&st=cse&oref=slogin

Aspects of the Election

Probably the most obvious issue of the 2008 election that i am most interested about is the war in Iraq and how each candidate is going to approach it. Both Claim to want an end to it, but Obama wants to pull out immediately while McCain suggest somewhat of a slow retreat. I agree more with McCain's approach. We cannot leave Iraq without first making sure its government is stable and making sure the Iraqi Armed Forces are strong enough to stand on their own.
Another issue of the campaign I'm watching is foreign policy. Being that in roughly 3 years i will be a soldier I would like a commander and chief who want go picking fights and will only send troops in when absolutely nessary. Both candidtes are promising better foreign policy and better relations for the world, but i would like to see how they would react to global problems like the conflicts with Iran and North Korea.

War Support on the Rise

For my example of Logos i chose an article from March on politico.com. The article explains that current support for the war effort is at its highest since 2006. It states that 53% of Americans now believe that the U.S. will ultimately achieve its goals in Iraq. This number is up from 43% in September of 07. The article continues to talk about support for the war effort and gives numerous statistics and percentages to enforce its argument. Besides the war effort it also talks about public support of the presidential candidates and how support has fluctuated between Obama and McCain regarding their views and promises concerning the war and its future.

The link for the Article: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0308/9016_Page2.html

Ministerium fur Staatssicherhet

For my second visual argument I decided that nothing said Pathos like good old fashioned communist propaganda! For those who don't know the Ministerium fur Staatssicherhet (Ministry for State Security) or more commonly referred to as the Stasi, is widely regarded as one of the most effective and repressive intelligence and secret police agencies in the world and was headquartered in East Berlin from 1950 to 1989. The Stasi controlled almost every aspect of political behavior in the GDR(East Germany). The Stasi used mass propaganda to oust any aspect of the west and made it a point to find any who spoke against the government. The pathos of the Stasi came in the form of fear and respect. Signs like the one I'm bringing to class were shown everywhere encouraging support for the Stasi, and many in order to avoid the wrath of the Stasi became informants and spies, many giving up those close to them. Pathos like these are uncommon in most of todays country, but the memory of them shows the power of arugement and what it can be used for.

Intro to 20803

Well to start of, my name is Tom Adams. I'm from Lampasas, Texas and I'm a sophomore at TCU. I'm not sure what major I'm gonna declare but I'm thinking about Criminal justice or History. I guess I'm taking English 20803 because its required of me. I'm pretty good at writing for the most part, except for grammar, most of my papers will probably be edited and look like they were written in red. I'd like to become better at making written arguments through this course, because I'm joining the army after college and ill be doing a lot of arguing being an officer. I'm only accustomed to argumentative writing i guess, most of the papers I've writ are informative or take a position on an issue. For the most part i think my writing is pretty good, except for my grammar.
I don't have a lot interest in politics at the moment but i know i probably will become more interested when i enter my career as a soldier, simply because many political decisions affect the military. The most interesting aspect i find about politics are the arguments and the fact that sometimes two sides argue on a certain problem and how both arguments want to accomplish the same goal but in different ways.
In the most literal sense i believe this blog is an informative argument. I argue that I'm a man of many interest and hobbies. My back round argues my love for the greatest baseball team in the world, the name of my blog shows that i like to be goofy, my picture shows what i hope to achieve one day, and this blog argues certain aspects of my personality and who i am.....and that my grammar is, really, really bad!

I have read, and understand the elements of the core syllabus.