La-La Land American Ignorance Essay -- Argumentative Persuasive Papers

La-La Land American Ignorance So tell me. Who is the prime minister of Britain? What did Koizumi just do to his cabinet? Do you even know what country he’s from? What was the reelected chancellor of Germany’s stance in his recent political campaign? What resolution did the U.N. Security Council pass in late September? Which country stopped the shipment of five million dollars of uranium 155 miles from Iraqi borders? Can you even point out the location of Baghdad on a world map? Where is Arafat’s headquarters located? Do you even know who Arafat is? What 39-year old Asian businessman took control of North Korea’s recently opened â€Å"special economic zone?† Why is Milosevic being tried at The Hague? Do you know what these things, these people, and these events, have to do with the United States? More specifically, do you know how they might affect you? It is no surprise that many Americans cannot answer these questions. In general, most of us aren’t interested in what happens in countries on the other side of the globe. We feel apathetic even to domestic events occurring in states other than our own. But that is the problem – the American public does not recognize the most basic knowledge about the current events of the world due to lack of interest. The average adult perhaps only realizes that bin Laden and al Qaeda are hiding somewhere inside or outside Afghanistan and that Saddam Hussein may have a stockpile of weapons of mass destruction hidden somewhere in Iraq. But this is about as far as their familiarity with foreign affairs extends – they may not even be able to point out Baghdad on a map or what territory Desert Storm covered. They probably cannot even identify the events that occurred at Tora Bora... ...lling our gigantic walk-in closets with more dresses from Gucci than there are days in a year than we are with North Korea’s militarization of its economy. We want to watch action movies all day long, eat Ben and Jerry’s ice cream right out of the half-gallon bucket, drive fancy BMW sports cars, booze up on Smirnoff Ice, shoot up more heroin, pay thousands for prostitutes, gamble fortunes away at the MGM Grand in Vegas, and enjoy all the pleasures of life. We care more for that than anything else in the world. And our government responds to that. The media bows to our wishes. And we grow ever more apathetic, ignoring the world around us. Sources cited: Epstein, Edward J. News From Nowhere: Television and the News, Vintage, New York NY. 1973, pp. 16; Pearson, David. â€Å"The Media and Government Deception.† Propaganda Review. Spring 1989, pp. 6-11.

How I Think and Learn

Throughout my college years I have found what my best ways of thinking and learning are. I have tried many different methods to make sure I get the best out of learning. Now that I know what helps me concentrate I stick to that method when studying. Thinking is a complex part of me that I have difficulties in, especially when I have to make a decision. Thinking and learning are a process that has no ending, and frequently can be modified to ones potential. To learn what I am being taught, I have to rewrite and review my notes.I have difficult time memorizing my notes, so the more I review them the easier it is for me to remember the content. Also, to learn in class I have to sit in the front of class to focus on what is being taught. When it comes to study time, I like to be alone to be able to think and process what I am learning. I don’t like to have distractions at this time so, this helps me concentrate and forget about any other issues I may have. I believe that I need to improve my persona so that I can become a successful and great nurse one day. I want to improve my technical skill, according to Alfaro, this it to focus on more important things.Sometimes I dedicate more time to socializing with friends and I don’t dedicate enough assignments, which is more important. In the past, while I was taking a science course, I would spend more time going out with my friends rather than studying for upcoming quizzes or exams. I know that if I focus more on important things I will be a better student that will lead to a great nursing career. Another, skill I want to improve on is my interpersonal skill. I have a difficulty communicating with others, especially if they are older people than me.I have difficulty expressing myself to others and giving any feedback. I would like to improve this skill because I want to prepare myself to working with a large number of people, like at a hospital. I know that being part of a health care team means that worki ng as a team is important. I will work on this skill by socializing more with my fellow co workers and other people when the time is appropriate. The last skill I think is important for me to improve is my intellectual skill as well. I think that my confidence in decision making is not very high.I usually don’t go with my gut feeling. For instance, when I take a test and I’m unsure about an answer, if I have an intuition about an answer I always doubt myself and end up choosing the wrong answer. I think this skill will help me as a nurse in the future because the life of patients will rely on me, and I have to make the best decision to keep them healthy. I plan to work on this skill by trusting myself and working on myself esteem. Throughout the years that I have dedicated in college to better my education and prepare for a better future I have learned many new things about myself.I’ve found out what my styles in learning are, and what helps me learn and stay fo cus. I have been able to critically think about different situations that will impact my life and have been able to make wise decisions about my life. I am happy that there is great opportunity for improvement in myself. I am looking forward into putting to use what I have learned and happy that I’ve been thought the difference between a thinker and a critical thinker. Alfaro-Lefevre, R. (2009). Critical thinking and clinical judgement (4th ed). Philadelphia: WB Saunders

Causes of the American Revolution - Free Essay Example

Sample details Pages: 4 Words: 1071 Downloads: 5 Date added: 2019/04/26 Category History Essay Level High school Tags: American Revolution Essay Did you like this example? The American Revolution was caused by the French and Indian War, the Proclamation Line of 1763, Navigation acts, lack of colonial representation, and violent colonial resistance. Even though the French and Indian War succeeded in giving Great Britain an enormous amount of territory in North America, it was also immensely expensive. In an attempt to cover these expenses, Britains parliament decided to impose taxes on the colonists, also known as the Navigation Acts. These acts led to colonial resentment over the growing imperial rule in the colonies. Having no control over these taxes, colonists realized their lack of representation in the English Parliament and wrote to King George III, hoping to gain some say in what was imposed upon them. In response, the colonists gained more taxes and their irritation with the parliament grew. Great Britain, not wanting to provocate another war with the Indians, attempted to limit Westward expansion for colonists by passing the Proclamation Line of 1763, which stated that colonists could not settle West of the Appalachian Mountains. Tired of the repressive laws and taxes bestowed upon them, colonists began to revolt and use violence as their way of rejecting British rule. These clashes over colonial freedom led to an extensive war for independence. Don’t waste time! Our writers will create an original "Causes of the American Revolution" essay for you Create order When the war ended in 1763, Britain gained a vast amount of land for its empire after signing the Treaty of Paris. Although the war had ended, fighting with indians continued. After signing the treaty, ten thousand British troops arrived on the new frontier to defend and assuage it. The soldiers lodged themselves in the homes of many settlers, causing colonial discontent with the disruption of their homes. Along with building a vast empire and strong Navy, Britain was so high in expenses that Englands national debt doubled in amount. England decided to push the debt on the colonies in the form of many taxes and laws. Resentment among colonists grew as their expansion was limited and they were heavily taxed. After an expensive war, King George III passed the Proclamation Line of 1763 to prevent further fighting with the indians. This frontier policy forbade colonial settlement West of the Appalachian Mountains, mainly in the Ohio Valley. Many colonists disliked this policy and resented the British monarchy for it. The colonists were celebrating the opening of the frontier won after the war, and grew upset that their expansion became limited. Many colonists believed that Britain was trying to keep a tight control over the colonies by enacting this policy. Since Britain was in a massive debt and in need of cash, the expenses were pushed onto America. This led to a series of taxes imposed upon the colonists, some of which were meant to prevent smuggling. The Sugar Act of 1764 taxed many commonly used imports such as sugar, coffee, and wine. Tax collection was stringently enforced and led colonists to protest and cry no taxation without representation, because they had no say in the British policy. For the colonists, property was seen as a freedom instead of just a possession. If one had property, they could provide for themselves without relying on the government. When the security of that property was threatened due to taxes, so was the liberty that came with it. Many colonists believed that their freedom was being dealt with in this way, and protested. For example, in Massachusetts, a protest was drawn up that stated that taxes ought not to be laid without representatives of the colonists affected by them. In March, 1765, the Stamp tax became a law, forcing any formally written or printed documents to be put on singular stamped paper and distributed in America by resident agents who were on payment of the taxes. The colonists would have to pay stamp tariffs on the stages of lawsuits, almanacs, newspapers, bills and bonds, diplomas, deeds, advertisements, and even dice and cards. Regardless of size, each fee seemed to be a strike on the security of property to the colonists because they were levied without assent. With the passage of the Stamp Act, merchants of the colonies rebelled by agreeing to cease imports on all British goods unless Parliament were to repeal it. Most colonies also witnessed a pause in business due to the desire to nulli fy the act, and used nothing that required the use of stamps. TAXATION WITHOUT REPRESENTATION Most Englishmen were ineligible to vote on the acts of Parliament, either because they did not own enough property, or they lived in towns that were not allowed to send members. The Sugar Act and a newly proposed stamp tax brought forth colonial protests and objections. In an attempt to justify these new acts, Thomas Whatley, a member of the Parliament, assured the colonists that they werent unrepresented, but they instead enjoyed a virtual representation, without voting for anyone. According to Whatley, each member of Parliament represented the entire empire and not just the few electors who chose them. The colonists roundly rejected this idea of virtual representation and wanted an actual representation in Parliament. In October, 1765, nine colonies sent representatives to New York to attend the Stamp Act Congress, where they drew up a set of regulations denying the authority of taxation by Parliament. This declaration of rights and grievances was framed and then sent to King Georg e III, but despite the opposition, the Stamp Act was still enacted. The colonists were angered by the lack of representation that they had in the British government, and thus their desire for freedom was fueled. COLONIAL RESISTANCE As the colonists tried to flout the British government, they formed rebellious associations, a popular one called the Sons of Liberty in Boston, led by politician Samuel Adams. The purpose of these groups was to declare the colonial intention to resist the Stamp act to the last extremity. The colonists in these associations found themselves willing to risk their lives in rebellion to prevent the security of their property from being taken by the Parliament, in which they had no representation. In response to the Stamp Act, the Sons of Liberty hung an effigy of Andrew Oliver, who was paid to distribute stamps in Massachusetts, along with a large boot with a devil climbing out of it, to symbolize Olivers evil connection to the Stamp Act. After dusk, many furious colonists of Boston burned Olivers property, stoned his house, and beheaded the effigy. Similar riots began to break out and forced the resignations of various crown-appointed officials.