While both articles do talk about health care, they are comparing two completely different things. The conservative article supports Ryan and completely opposes Obama's health care plan, while the progressive article barely mentions Obama at all. Here is my rundown and opinions on each of the two pieces:
Conservative Stanley Kurtz-
Wow, someone REALLY hates Obama. But all joking aside, Kurtz presents a very strong view on the health care reform plans of Obama and articulates his argument extremely well. He is completely against "Obamacare" as he calls it, and supports Ryan. However, this article is mainly about why Obama's plan is terrible. Obama apparently desires to creat IPAB (Independent Payment Advisory Board) and THIS is what Kurtz is getting so riled up about. The board will get "limitless power over federal Medicare spending... the power to effectively ration health care through price controls.. and override congressional sovereignty." Kurtz continues to argue why the IPAB is a bad idea, pulling information up that no one was really aware of. His piece is effective because his writing is persuasive and interesting. The piece continues to entice the reader to continue reading and wanting to know more about the piece. I believe it is also effective due to the fact that it brings to light the American people and the constitution- the document we have been studying since the third grade. Kurtz's argument is incredibly believable and I would have agreed, if I had not read John Nicols article.
Progressive John Nicols-
While this piece was not as elaborate and "flowery" as that of Kurtz's it definitely presented legitimate reasons and arguments against Ryan's plan. However, it doesn't support Obama's plan either. Instead Nicols supports a third plan, one proposed by the Vermont senator, Bernie Sanders. Nicols is to the point and voices his opinions well. While he does have bias and opinion in his piece, his includes many facts and information.
So, what do I believe in? I'm going to vote for the random third health care plan. Kurtz has persuaded me that Obama's plan is not good for the American people and I believe him. The fact that it is SO unconstitutional lacking checks and balances is the thing that swayed me towards Ryan's plan at first. However, Nicols deterred me from Ryan's plan, leaving only Sander's plan. Bernie Sanders, you've got yourself another fan.
Thursday, May 19, 2011
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Hallelujah- I'm a Senior
Wow, it's really hard to believe that I have been here for most of my high school years (I moved in the middle of sophomore year to AHS!) While I remember slowly counting down the days until I can finally LEAVE this building, I will admit I have had my fair share of memorable events. Reading through some of my classmate's blogs have really jogged my memory and even made me smile at reading some of them. So, here's the run down on my three-and-a-half years here at AHS.
Moving into Cayot's biology class pretty much at the butt end of the semester. It was probably the worst thing to ever happen to me. I got a B- sophomore year. It was kind of depressing.
Girl biting a cop at Fenway Park. Classic. It really surprises me at how dumb some of our students are. That's just something you don't do, ever. Whether you're drunk or not.
Fire alarm being pulled. Every. Single. Day. For like a week! I just remember it being really cold and pulled at the most inopportune times. Come on! Pull it in the summer, not in the winter!
The seniors last year. They were just unbelievably loud and obnoxious. However, there were exceptions.
A teacher who didn't let me go to class even though I had a doctor's note. The old tardy policy was still in place. I had a doctor's note. He didn't let me go to class. I was pissed. I called my parents. My parents called the school. Administration had to come down to release me. Biggest fail of the school, ever.
Friends. While I am ready to just run out of the school and never come back, I have met a fair share of amazing people who I wouldn't have been able to get throug high school with! Some of them I can definitely call my best friends and I actually will be upset to leave them. However, we can just reunite at the beach- not in AP Calc (Thank GOD!)
Going through three different principles, my three years here. Anderson, Harris, Sharkey. While I had nothing personal against them, I don't love them either. They were just "another principal".
Okay, well this was WAY longer than I thought it would be but I guess it makes sense; I spent the last 3 years of my life in this place. It's about time for me to finally leave and move onto the next stage. Hallelujah! I'm finally going to be free.
Moving into Cayot's biology class pretty much at the butt end of the semester. It was probably the worst thing to ever happen to me. I got a B- sophomore year. It was kind of depressing.
Girl biting a cop at Fenway Park. Classic. It really surprises me at how dumb some of our students are. That's just something you don't do, ever. Whether you're drunk or not.
Fire alarm being pulled. Every. Single. Day. For like a week! I just remember it being really cold and pulled at the most inopportune times. Come on! Pull it in the summer, not in the winter!
The seniors last year. They were just unbelievably loud and obnoxious. However, there were exceptions.
A teacher who didn't let me go to class even though I had a doctor's note. The old tardy policy was still in place. I had a doctor's note. He didn't let me go to class. I was pissed. I called my parents. My parents called the school. Administration had to come down to release me. Biggest fail of the school, ever.
Friends. While I am ready to just run out of the school and never come back, I have met a fair share of amazing people who I wouldn't have been able to get throug high school with! Some of them I can definitely call my best friends and I actually will be upset to leave them. However, we can just reunite at the beach- not in AP Calc (Thank GOD!)
Going through three different principles, my three years here. Anderson, Harris, Sharkey. While I had nothing personal against them, I don't love them either. They were just "another principal".
Okay, well this was WAY longer than I thought it would be but I guess it makes sense; I spent the last 3 years of my life in this place. It's about time for me to finally leave and move onto the next stage. Hallelujah! I'm finally going to be free.
Monday, May 2, 2011
Bin Laden Dead
Late last night, Osama Bin Laden was killed. WHAT? While strolling through the channels, I found myself landing on and focusing on the one about Osama Bin Laden and how he has been killed. I saw a little news footage on this story, but I wasn't exactly too focused on it. However, just 5 minutes ago, classmates were talking about the story and I found out facts that I didn't know before. Mansion. Bullet wounds to the face. Paralysis. Woah, slow down! I guess I really didn't know the full extent of the story. I tried to wait for Obama and his address, but he was running a little late and I was growing a little impatient, so I missed it, but I heard it was great.
I really don't know how to respond to this or if I even had any emotions that this happened. It was kind of just like "Oh, Osama Bin Laden died. Okay." But does this necessarily make me a bad person? I don't think so. This is a man that we have been searching for almost 10 years. Millions of lives were killed to find this man. People are celebrating because we committed murder. Yes, Osama is rightfully killed, but is he really worth the millions of lives of soldiers who were killed overseas? I don't think so. I heard somewhere that Osama was just chilling in a mansion miles away from where US soldiers were stationed. Really, America? I don't know, maybe I'm a little skeptical, but I don't think this event is something that America should be particularly proud about- it should be more of a wake up call.
I really don't know how to respond to this or if I even had any emotions that this happened. It was kind of just like "Oh, Osama Bin Laden died. Okay." But does this necessarily make me a bad person? I don't think so. This is a man that we have been searching for almost 10 years. Millions of lives were killed to find this man. People are celebrating because we committed murder. Yes, Osama is rightfully killed, but is he really worth the millions of lives of soldiers who were killed overseas? I don't think so. I heard somewhere that Osama was just chilling in a mansion miles away from where US soldiers were stationed. Really, America? I don't know, maybe I'm a little skeptical, but I don't think this event is something that America should be particularly proud about- it should be more of a wake up call.
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