http://library.thinkquest.org/J0111932/index.htm

"Coming To America" is an entry for a 2009 internet competion; ThinkQuest. The aim of the competition was to get children to think more widely when it came to issues outside of what they would normally be taught in class.
These kids from Minnesota chose to do immigration, the history of, and how it affects America.

The site obviously isn't of the highest acedmic standard; to be honest, it's a pretty good site keeping in mind it was made by kids at the equivalent age of Year Five in the UK, but it does show that immigration is in the minds of school kids in America. They also present immigration with a very positive light, and provide a suprisingly in-depth analysis of immigration in the Minnesota area.

Week Three - Multi-Cultural America. Race & Ethnicity

http://www.42explore2.com/migration.htm

This is an on-line adventure focusing on the basis for the flow of American migrants from the global spectrum and offering an insight into ways for a better quality of life through employment and educational rescources through personal accounts and experiences of its diverse influx and cultural melting pot.

Multicultural America - Immigration

http://scout.wisc.edu/Projects/PastProjects/NH/96-03/96-03-14/0012.html

http://www.globalschoolnet.org/index.cfm

This website contains notes and information from teachers on issues to be explored and projects to be used when teaching about immigration to 8th grade students.

The way in which the subject is approached seems very well rounded and fairly in depth with a number of different areas related to immigration being explored. The overall purpose of the module is described as "providing students with an understanding of the important contributions made by various ethnic groups who immigrated to the United States". It is suggested that this be explored via different avenues such as why people emigrated from their homeland, what difficulties they faced and where they settled etc. The whole concept of immigration to the US seems to be taught fairly in depth, teaching not just the history but how it has affected modern America e.g the problems that are still experienced by immigrants and the cultural make up of the US. The students are also encouraged to look into their own family background and construct 'family trees' in an attempt to explore their own ethnic roots. An acknowledgement to the lack of ethnic diversity and immigrant populations in certain areas within the US is made, by suggesting working with schools that possibly have a different ethnic majority to your own. Overall the issue of immigration to the US is explored from a number of different angles. However the one thing that seems to have been omitted is modernday immigration and how this affects the US, with the focus instead being primarily on the effects of past immigration.

Multi-Cultural America: Race and Ethnicity

"Strangers in the Land of Strangers"

This resource was recommended by the website http://www.pbs.org/ which provides educational resources for teachers of K-12 American schoolchildren. The link here shows all of the resources available through the website on the subject of immigration in America.

A significant number of the resources tend to focus on immigration today rather than the history however the resource "Strangers in the Land of Strangers" from Pennsyvania Historical Society focuses on the life of immigrants throughout times of conflict ranging from the Revolution up to the Civil Rights movement.

The resources available seem to sometimes show a balanced view of immigration includes both the good and bad of the treatment of immigrants. This is particularly evident in the World War Two section which includes a poster asking citizens to report anyone who is spreading rumours about the war.

This particular poster demonstrates how in times of conflict, German residents in America became stigmatized, perhaps in a similar way as muslims after the 9/11 attacks. This would perhaps be a useful resource to link the past with the present by using this resource as a continuation of the the "times of conflict" theme.

Wk 2 Women and Work

1981 - New York Times

2010 - Washington Post

Both of these articles are about women in the workplace in America.

The first article is from the New York Times and is written in 1981. The article discusses the rights of women in the workplace, particularly about their exclusion on the ground of health and safety. In this case, fertile women were excluded from working in certain areas of a chemical plant due to the risk this could cause to an unborn foetus. Two women chose to be sterilised in order to allow them to work in the area. The employer argues that as the foetus has legal rights as well as the mother, it would be irresponsible to allow a women who has the chance of getting pregnant to put her foetus in harms way. This is particulalrly interesting as eight years earlier, the supreme court in America ruled that a foetus did not have legal rights as a person (Roe vs Wade, 1973). The article continues to debate whether women should be protected against their will when men are not, even if there is a chance that the same chemicals could damage their fertility. This article was written while second wave feminism was still in progress and women were still fighting to equality.

The Washington Post article was written in January of this year. This article is commenting on the increased number of women in the workplace to the point where they are becoming the majority. However the author is not celebrating this fact. Instead the author is commenting on the increased pressure that the Millenial women are under to be both the 1950s stereotypical housewife and the 1980s career women. This article was written when apprently all barriers for women have been broken down and equality regins yet the article suggests that despite this apparent equality, men seem to have the easier life and even suggests that men are in fact choosing to marry one of these "Millenial" women for this reason.

I find it interesting that despite these articles being written nearly twenty years apart, both authors seem to pity women and feel that men are responsble for their plight. The first article comments on men protecting women agaisnt thier will, and the second is not far away from suggesting that men are exploiting women in their fight for equality in the workplace.

Sarah Sizing Up The Front

Week Two - Sarah's View From Above

Former Alaskan Governer & Republican Party's biggest ever rockstar Sarah Palin undertook the honor of Grand Marshall for a day at the NASCAR Seasons opener - The Daytona 500 last sunday and had the view of a lifetime after amplifying in age old tradition the command of "Gentlemen start your engines." Okay so it's not the office or as they like to call it these days the workplace. The point is, Sarah Palin is one of only two female candidates in history to be given the prestige of running for the nations highest office. Being a NASCAR fan myself of course, I, myself, couldn't think of anyone better to head proceedings at the worlds most famous speedway in Florida, than the comeback queen of the media's razors edge and pollitic's alternative view. Hovering above us, is an accompanying frame of Sarah checking out Ryan Newmans No. 39 U.S. Army Car. Some cars get all the luck I guess, or is it just the paint job. Did I mention, I love racing. Further along, on Sarah's racey day out, she also got to meet the King, Richard Petty and got to listen in on some of the pit crew calls on the ariel monitors.

Week Two - From Then To Now

This second image is really one that defines an era when hair rock bands walked the earth to graze off rebelious and impressionable teenagers who were simply too cool to have dinner with their parents at the same table and time they did every evening, displaying mullets to reinforce dizziness and deluisions of teen groupies who stand in line everynight to worship at the alter of cheese and Rio Speedwagon of course, shoulder-padded office coats for him and her, (all matching sizes and colours in stock, more coming in tomorrow sir) When white jeans were wore in public spaces - proudly of course and there were always ninety-nine red beloons in the sky everytime you looked up for romantic inspiration. Oh Im sorry, didn't I mention the Breakfast Club with the cast of those who were once around. On the brighter side, the 80's weren't all bad. It did give us Back To The Future I and II, the first five Wrestlemania's and of course U2's Critically aclaimed Rockumentrey Rattle & Hum, followed by accompaning, groundbreaking, sell out world tour of America and everywhere else on the planet and Joshua Tree album that kicked it all off. Pheeeww, anyway, where were we? That's right - eighties women in the workplace. The overhead frame you see is, of course, from the movie that really defined the female ambition of this decade, it is Mike Nichol's 1988's Working Girl.

Wk 2 Women in the workplace

This image represents what some refer to as post feminism. That is, they feel that they have achieved what is necessary within society and the workplace, and that they can now behave as they wish, which for some involves becoming stay at home mums, leaving the workplace after having kids, or using their femininity to get ahead within the workplace. Whilst some feminists feel that this is backtracking on the progress that has already been made, other women feel that the very fact they have the choice about whether or not to work and in which jobs etc suggests that they have achieved what they set out for.

Wk 2 women in the workplace

This magazine, 'Working Woman', was launched sometime in the early 1980's during what is often referred to as the second wave of feminist thinking, and demonstrates the changing position of women within the workplace. The title alone suggests a shift in attitudes towards women working, but the features e.g "bailing out the men on your team" and "when im on an oilrig im the boss" allude to a significant change in womens role within society in general. The fact they're talking about bailing out male colleagues suggests a sense of superiority that would not have been evident 20 years ago. Equally, the article that focuses on the female oil rig boss how different areas within the working world had opened up for women by the 1980's. That said, the woman on the cover is still overtly feminine, with styled hair, red lipstick, jewellry etc, which gives the impression that appearance and femininity was still an important to factor to women within the workplace.

Week One - The WWE - Masculinity In America Today.

For almost thirty years now, bordering on the eve of next months twenty-sixth Wrestlemania at the University of Pheonix Stadium, Pheonix, Arizona, the WWE (World Wrestling Entertainment) has been the focal point for physical and competitive excelence in U.S. sports entertainment and even worldwide. Many of history's greatest superstars have passed through it's curtains and cemented their names in eternities marbled hall of fame by paying homege to the hallowed squared circle. This iconic, three-hundred and sixty-five day a year circus has given birth and immortality to stars such as Rowdy Roddy Piper, Hulk Hogan, The Nature Boy -Ric Flair, Brett 'The Hitman' Hart, 'The Macho Man' - Randy Savage, 'The Heartbreak kid' - Shawn Michaels and of course the long since passed Texas Tornado - Kerry Von Erich and Andre The Giant. These are the names this organisation was first built on, they were and still are today quiet simply, it's foundation. They were those who gave life and limb for our entertainment as kids running home from school just to get homework and chores out of the way so we could settle in for the nights competitive proceedings to begin. These hallowed servants of the WWE's christmas past now give way to a new breed of wrestling superstar, perhaps the most famous and iconic still lacing up his boots today, is without any question, the legendary pheonom - The Undertaker. This november coming will mark his twentieth aniversary in the World Wrestling Enternainment organisation. The nearly seven foot tall deadman from Death Death Valley and seven time World Heavy Weight Champion, currently stands on his own brink of immortality, surpassing almost every other wrestling superstar, past and present as longest residing legendary icon in the organisations history. Founded by Vince MacMahon Snr., the WWE, even right now to this day, week after week, still surpasses merchandise, Pay-Per-View and cable revenues including website hits on a monitored weekly statcount basis toppling more than the NFL, NBA, NHL and Nascar combined. This billion doller baby of entertainment also bosts America's longest running episonic T.V. show in history - WWE Monday Night Raw. Simply incredible, however on an irresisstable side note of mention, I confess a modest sense of personal pride as I pen this. Right now, at this juncture in historie's record books, a fellow countryman of my own has scaled this American entertainment institutions everest and made it to it's breath-stealing peak where few outsiders have ever gone before as WWE Champion. He is The Celtic Warrior Sheamus, an Irish lad who grew up on North Great Georges Street in inner city Dublin, just around the corner from the square I lived on myself where I made my own way to college every morning, rucksack on shoulder and exhaling the cold morning air, wondering of the possibilities to come.

Wk2 Representation of women and work: April O'Neil and Carrie Bradshaw

Women have struggled through and overcome endless conflict throughout history. Since the late 19th century, women have protested for equal rights as they have faced barriers such as the right to vote and an unfair perception that they are uneducated people only fit for homemaking. Considered dependent on their husbands, women were excluded from employment until they became part of the workforce during WWII. Even so, women were still not taken seriously and still to this day are paid less than men. With ambition for their own careers and independence in society, women slowly began to gain equality after leading battles against maternity leave and budget cut-backs. By the 1980s, the role of women in the workplace increased greatly.

To represent women and work I have chosen a female fictional character from the 80s and another from the late 90s / early 00s.

In the 1987 animated series Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, April O'Neil was a television reporter who expressed frequent disagreement with her "anti-TMNT" assignments due to her headstrong nature and passion for her work. She drove a blue van and wore a yellow jumpsuit which were clear embodiments of power and masculinity. She also lived in an apartment in New York City and her Aunt Agatha was a detective. Both of these representations of women suggest independence and as these subtle details suggest female power, it is noteworthy that even in a cartoon for children, the greater role of women at work is defined. Despite April being portrayed as a capable woman, she was often represented as the typical damsal in distress as her innate curiosity and determination placed her in danger on several occasions and she often had to be saved by the Turtles. This suggests that she was merely a token female character in the series, appearing only to balance out the masculinity of the series. However, she did contribute to the Turtles by alerting them to trouble and possible leads, showing her resourcefulness - a characterstic typically displayed by men.

Carrie Bradshaw is the lead character of US drama Sex and the City. She is a New York newspaper columnist, socialite, fashionista and freelance writer for Vogue magazine. In 2009, The Guardian named Bradshaw as an icon of the decade, stating that "Carrie Bradshaw did as much to shift the culture around certain women's issues as real-life female groundbreakers." To some, this may be an odd choice as perhaps Hillary Clinton is more deserving of icon status when considering contemporary feminist activism. However, Carrie is relateable to women and serves as an inspiration to them as well. Stuck between finding true love and settling down, women can identify with Carrie by escaping the dilemma of relationships and starting a family through shopping. It can be argued that Carrie did not do as much to shift the culture around women's issues compared to real-life feminist groundbreakers such as Hillary Clinton, but SATC in general shifted the cultural landscape in many ways. The show exemplified that even successful feminist women spend a lot of time talking about love, romance and sex and SATC made it seem smart, relevant and less shameful to do so. The character of Carrie also showed audiences that a lively female personality is just as interesting as female sexuality or motherhood; she is a writer who arrived in the big city and immediately found her voice.

Masculinity - Firearms - NRA

While the NRA are trying to promote themselves as a more diverse and multi-gender action group, I chose them as an example due to the fact that, owning a firearm or other weapon (from their website, they promote carrying a knife, but not directly though...) is a very masculine thing to do.

Maybe its the power that holding and owning a firearm brings; maybe its a fear of not being able to protect your wife and kids; maybe its the ability to kill someone; or maybe it is just that they make a very loud noise. Weapons, and especially firearms, are masculine.


Notice in this video, and many more like it, big American men, walking around in a big wood, with very big guns, and the inherent lack of women; that is pretty masculine...

Contemporary masculinity in America: Bear / Cargo Magazine

To define contemporary masculinity, I have selected the gay magazine Bear. Due to the website's content it has been blocked from the university network but I have linked its Wikipedia page.

Aimed at a gay audience who are sexually attracted to masculine men or are masculine themselves, the magazine features butch men with body and facial hair. This defies the stereotypical view of the effeminate gay community and this idea has been represented in the TV show Playing It Straight where unexpectadly the men who were in masculine jobs turned out to be gay and the more feminine men turned out to be metrosexual straight men. Therefore gender identity is not quite as clear cut in terms of femininity and masculinity and they are often blurred.


The trend of metrosexuality (straight men that have the appearance or lifestyle of stereotypically gay men) has been a popular selling point among many men's magazines. Established in 2004, Cargo Magazine had a brief 2-year stint of publication and featured vanity segments including "The Perfect Fitting Suit" and "How to Tan Without the Sun". Interestingly however, the magazine was published before the transmission of Queer Eye For the Straight Guy, a TV programme that played with the stereotypes that gay men are superior to straight men in matters of fashion, style and personal grooming which helped put metrosexuality into the mainstream. This shows that some straight men are naturally vigilant when it comes to style and are therefore not the product of hype; metrosexuality has simply evolved from the minority and has rapidly become more mainstream.

Contemporary Masculinity in America - Men's Health

http://www.menshealth.com/
Mens Health is a US based magazine that began life in 1987 as a health based magazine before changing fairly quickly into a 'lifestyle' magazine, addressing issues that are supposedly important to modern american men, including; fitness, women, nutrition, grooming and weightloss. With a readership of almost 2 million in America it suggests that these issues do indeed resound with a large number of modern men in America.
The fact the magazine offers advice on such things as how to style your hair, finding a fragrance to suit your personality and how to accessorize your outfits suggests that todays american men have moved away from the stereotype of an 'all american man' being macho and uninterested in appearance etc. Instead, the articles suggest that mens priorities have changed and that what defines masculinity has also changed, making things such as grooming and dieting acceptable and even desirable as a way of displaying your masculinity.

However the magazine also shows that modern men havn't completely moved away from the traditional ideal of the american man. For instance the magazine focuses heavily on fitness and health, promoting the idea that being physically fit and strong is desirable. It also has sections showing attractive women which is common among other magazines that supposedly appeal to the traditional stereotype of american men.

Mens Health shows that men are still interested in what are typically thought of as 'manly' things such as fitness but have become more open to things traditionally associated with women, such as taking time choosing clothes and grooming etc.

Multi-Cultural America: Gender. Esquire Magazine

Esquire Magazine

The link above is the website for the American copy of the men's magazine "Esquire".

After its takeover by Hearst in the late 1980's, the magazine's target audience became primary men betwen the ages of 25-44 who are "well-educated, sophisticated and open-minded".

From even the home page, it is clear that the Esquire reader is considered to be "metro-sexual" or even be closer to the European ideal of the male (intellectual)rather than the American "John Wayne" type. However, there are elements to suggest that the american ideal of masculinity is still included.

The opinion that "blue-collar workers" watch television programmes such as American Chopper and Deadliest Catch in order to feel more like the American ideal of masculinity is demonstrated in the magazine with articles such as "what it feels like to be bitten by a shark" or articles about demolition and sports being dsiplayed alongside recipes for men as well as articles about fashion and current events. It is as if the Esquire man, although having slightly more feminine aspects, is still able to demonstrate the traditionally American male role by his interest in sports, cars, women and danger in a less aggressive way.

Perhaps the most interesting study in how masculinity is portrayed in Esquire is in the magazine's presentation of women. While in tradionally more "masculine" magazines such as Hooters, women are described as "girls" and are dressed in little more than bikinis next to articles containing not a lot of words, the women in Esquire, although scantily clad, are described as "women we love" and are celebrated both for their intellect and their beauty.

Esquire presents the change of perception of the male roles over the past twenty years which perhaps mirrors the change in the feminine role over the same period. While women have slowly entered the tradionally male domains (eg sport, the workforce and politics) the Esquire man has been slowly accessing the more "feminine" areas such as cookery and personal appearence.

This blog is now for Alasdair Spark's AM1212 group

contemporary advert

I decided to use the comapany's, Abercrombie and Fitch advertisement as an example of an contemporary consumer item. The company originates in America and began in the 1980's. The reason i chose this company and this advert was to demonstrate the views that are held in america and the world today. This advert seems to put across the idea that model-like people should be wearing this clothing. The image of a young, atheltic male and female modelling the clothing gives the impression that people of similar shape and statute should be wearing the clothes. what isnt shown in the advert is how expensive the clothing is. As such the advert is appealing to the young, middle class, 'acceptable sized' people of america and europe.

Grand Theft Coke

I've decided to post a contemporary Coca-Cola commercial as since the 50s, Coke's advertising has significantly affected American culture. From humble beginnings incorporating I'd Like To Teach the World To Sing in the 50s and I am the Future of the World in the 80s, the inclusion of pop music has been a recurring theme in Coke commercials and it is notable that there are reflections in regards to the decades in which they were made. Another recurring theme is a worldly message coming across; the commercial I have chosen continues this theme in both respects but presents it in a unique way.

First aired during the 2007 Super Bowl, the commerical is entirely computer generated and is a carbon copy of a scene from the violent Grand Theft Auto video game series. However, when it appears as if the protagonist is going to attack innocent people, he gives them a bottle of Coca-Cola, stops thieves and spreads the all-round "happiness" of Coke around. The community all end up celebrating together to a male cover of "You Give a Little Love" taken from the film Bugsy Malone. This is almost a direct reference as at the end of the film the child gangsters stop fighting when Razmataz starts playing the piano and everyone sings together realising they could be friends. This theme continues the peace theme that recurs throughout Coca-Cola's advertising but with an edgy twist. While it is suggested that maybe this commercial was directed at a specifically male audience by being aired during the Super Bowl, I remember watching it during the advertisments before a film at the cinema and I personally found that a universal message came across.

Horatio Alger in contemporary websites

The use of the phrase "Horatio Alger" is used in a variety of contexts in contemporary websites. The website Asian Topics has an article that explores the "Horatio Alger Myth" in relation to Japan. It explains that in the United States the myth means that anybody from any background can become a successful businessman through hard work. In Japan, the myth is slightly more modest and means that through hard work a farm boy can become a bureaucrat for example. There is a difference between the Horatio Alger myth's meaning in both countries as becoming a bureaucrat is not considered as a way to become a great success in the United States yet it is considered to be a prestigious career in Japan.

In The Real Horatio Alger, the phrase "Horatio Alger Hero" is discussed. It has a similar meaning to the Horatio Alger myth as it is described as "referring to the person who achieves success by his own effort in the face of great obstacles". However, the article focuses on how despite the fact that some of today's successful businessmen refer to Alger as an inspiration, his books are difficult to find and he is described as "a cross between ancient history and amusing turn-of-the-century nostalgia".

Another website that discusses "Horatio Alger" is FishbowlIDC, a site that publishes interesting news stories. This article covers the 2009 Horatio Alger Assosiation Awards and explains that "the association was founded in 1947 to honor the achievements of outstanding individuals in our society who have succeeded in spite of adversity and of encouraging young people to pursue their dreams through higher education." It mentions that Hollywood star Denzel Washington was inducted into the association at this year's cermony.

After searching for websites featuring the phrase "Horatio Alger", there appears to be more negative implications of Alger as most of them refer to him in regards to a myth. In relation to Ragged Dick, this symbolises the demise in popularity of Alger and the concept of "rags to riches" in America. However, it is clear that the Horatio Alger success idea is still celebrated by some as exemplified in the awards ceremony in his name.

Healthcare Reform

http://www.naturalnews.com/026733_health_health_care_healthcare.html

This is my example of an opinion that is against the healthcare reform. Basically, it is by a guy who states that he has read the bill in full, and has 'translated' it down into layman terms for everyone to read. While this post is in direct opposition to the reform, I was more interested in the comments posted bellow the blog, and the battle the ensures between the gulible and the people that question the blogger's views.

http://www.whitehouse.gov/issues/health-care

If there was going to be a place where I could find a source that was in favour of the reform, it would be from the mouth of Obama himself. This is his speech from the White House that was broadcasted a few days ago. It outlines everything that the Bill will cover, and it basically sounds fantastic; whether it is all rhetoric and a 'Big Government' lie is yet to be seen.

YouTube - VOTE AGAINST HEALTH REFORM? Might Be Bad Politics...

YouTube - VOTE AGAINST HEALTH REFORM? Might Be Bad Politics... This TV ad provides a brief summary of some of the issues facing americans and why Americans United for Change support Obamas healthcare reforms. Americans United for Change is a group that formed in 2005 and aims to garner support for reforms that move America in what they believe to be a new and better direction. For them, they hate the influence that health insurers have over the healthcare industry and how money orientated it is, and feel that Obamas healthcare reforms would have a positive impact.

healthcare

CPR is a healthcare pressure group founded by Rick Scott, an healthcare industry executive, in the early part of this year. The group opposes president Obama's healthcare reforms mainly on economic terms, in that they feel that his reforms would result in them having to pay more, not less for their healthcare. One article on their website demonstrates their viewpoint well. Titled " Up is Down, Day is Night, and Obama care will lower your healthcare costs", the article clearly shows that the CPR dislike the reforms due to money issues, demonstrated by as such; " Yet the report from CMS, released Friday (thus, few people noticed), concludes that the $1.3 trillion government run public option health "reform" package recently passed in the house achieves exactly the opposite: the cost curve will indeed bend...upward. In fact, the report concludes that the total health care spending will actually increase by$239 billion under the legislation."

Obama And His Health Care

Pro-Health Care Plan

This is a Pro Obama blog that strongly supports the plans going through Congress about creating a system were all people can have at least some cover, outside of emergancy care. The website also breaks down what the main idea behind the Bill is, making it easy to understand how it will work.

"A centerpiece of Obama's health proposal would be a new government health insurance plan that would compete with private insurers. The administration says the public plan would help cut costs by introducing competition, and cover the uninsured. "

The website also holds on it a video that explains in four minutes what the programe is and who it will effect. It is obvious that the blogger is a pro Obama activist, but I think it shows the level some Americans will go to flood the media portals proclaiming there view to be the truth, weather its biased or not.

Anti-Health Care

This is a short blog, yet it details how the Bill can be interpreted someone into being a very bad piece of legisitation.

http://www.cnsnews.com/news/article/52245, This article speaks with Bill Bennett, a nationally syndicated host on the Salem radio network, about how a petition that he started became so popular with health care professionals.

“We are seeing reckless spending, and I think the most important number of all, probably, is 83, and that was 83 percent of the American people like their health care. You don’t turn the whole system inside-out when 83 percent are satisfied.”

Obama Administration reforms

Health Reform is a website that promotes the Health Reform proposed by Barack Obama and aims to inform the public of its positive indications to gather support for it. The website explains "President Obama is committed to working with Congress to pass comprehensive health reform this year in order to control rising health care costs, guarantee choice of doctor, and assure high-quality, affordable health care for all Americans." This offers a bright look into the future and the potential for a fairer society in America. Some of the aims of the Health Reform outlined by the Obama Administration include:

* Protect families from debt because of health care costs
* Guarantee choice of doctors and health plans
* Invest in prevention and wellness
* Improve patient safety and quality of care
* Assure affordable, quality health coverage for all Americans
* Maintain coverage when you change or lose your job

Again, the reform appears to offer fairer future for all Americans and upon reading this plan it would be difficult to find criticisms.

Don't Vote For Obama, The Most Complete Anti Obama Website conveys the belief that the election of Barack Obama has marked "The End of America". The webisite strongly opposes the reforms proposed by the Obama Administration and this is explained in an article: "There has been a fine balance of power between the two parties, which will be ended by 12 million new voters who will favor the Democrats. That's because minorities and immigrants tend to like the big, benevolent, tax-and-spend governments that hand out welfare, benefits and cradle-to-grave security. Obama wants to include even illegal immigrants in his universal health-care system." This opinion appears to derive from a right wing stance, especially in the expicit hostility towards the prospect of higher taxes and a fairer health-care system expressed here. This strong opinion is continued: "our senior citizens will probably have to be turned down for the most expensive treatments and surgeries, taking a back seat to younger immigrants. Senior citizens don't fair well in a system applying rationing of medical care. Obama, by his tax plans, his socialistic schemes, and his new welfare programs, will destroy the health-care system and the economy in short order."

After reading both websites I lean more towards the Health Reform website and therefore am in favour of the reforms proposed by Obama's Administration. The anti-Obama website does not propose a strong case against the Health Reform, instead it just pushes a claim that senior people might not fair well in the new system. This opinion seems to be unrealistic however as the Obama Administration proposes fairer health care for all Americans. The only way to find out if the Health Reform will have positive implications is for it to be accepted so people can see the results for themselves.

Jon Stewart Vs CNN's 'Crossfire'

Jon Stewart is one of the funniest, most inteligent, pundits ever. The Daily Show is one of the best political satire show, only comparable to Bremner, Bird, and Fortune. This video is Stewart slating 'Crossfire' (which is one of the biggest political programmes in the US), but he doesn't just slate them; he explains on their actual show, what he doesn't like about the show. It is a fantastic watch...

Jon Stewart's political orientation is great; he really, REALLY, hates Glenn Beck. Although, he is not a Democrat. The Daily Show is fantastic, I really hope it is still on More Four at 6... please watch it.

YouTube - Glenn Beck: Global Warming greatest scam in history

YouTube - Glenn Beck: Global Warming greatest scam in history: "Glenn Beck: Global Warming greatest scam in history"

In this clip Glenn Beck talks about the first chapter from his book, "The Inconvenient Book", which focuses on global warming and why its actually nothing to be worried about. He uses information provided by the founder of the weather channel to attempt to discredit the issues surrounding global warming, instead suggesting that it is a 'manufactured crisis' and that the scientists who support it have a environmental and political agenda. He even goes so far as to question whether we are on the cusp of global socialism due to this alleged deal between global warming scietntists. He seems to completely ignore any of the research avaliable that contradicts his opinion.

Glenn Beck: "Scary Capitalism"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZaRMCcBeX1w

In this video popular political pundit of Fox News Glenn Beck argues about teachers showing pupils the Story of Stuff, a 20-minute video which offers a look at American production and consumption patterns and aims to expose the connections between environmental and social issues in order to convince people to create a more sustainable and just world.

Being pro-captialist, Beck strongly disagrees with the video as he believes it to be anti-capitalist.

American groups outside the mainstream

Established in Chicago in 1924, The Society for Human Rights was an American homosexual rights organization. It was the first recognized gay rights organization in the United States, however, the group were ceased a few months after forming after the arrest of several of the Society's members. Despite its short existance, the Society is recognized as preceeding the modern Gay Liberation movement. The goals and purposes of the Society was outlined as "To promote and protect the interests of people who by reasons of mental and physical abnormalities are abused and hindered in the legal pursuit of happiness which is guaranteed them by the Declaration of Independence and to combat the public prejudices against them by dissemination of factors according to modern science among intellectuals of mature age. The Society stands only for law and order; it is in harmony with any and all general laws insofar as they protect the rights of others, and does in no manner recommend any acts in violation of present laws nor advocate any manner inimical to the public welfare." The aims outlined here have now become a reality but the "mental and physical abnormalities" reference to homosexuality would be an unacceptable descrption today as attitudes to homosexuality have become more accepting.

A more contemporary American group outside the mainstream is Feminists for Life. Established in 1972, the group describes itself as "shaped by the core feminist values of justice, nondiscrimination, and nonviolence." For a modern group, FFL attitudes are within a minority but the some of the issues including abortion are strongly condemned and protested about not only by their group but many others too. However, the group is met by much opposition, especially from pro-choice activists mainly due to the group lacking compassion for modern female rights such as birth control. The FFL and its old-fashioned beliefs remain in a minority and will not ever be likely to shift attitudes on a major scale.

Gun control argument

For the argument of pro-gun control, I have chosen a website for gun owners, Keep and Bear Arms. This website serves as a forum for gun owners to express their support for the Second Amendment and their right to maintain their ability to protect themselves from anyone that would do them harm by owning a gun. Their point of view is understandable, especially when applying the American principles of freedom and personal liberty to their belief. The website aims to justify their ownership of guns to the anti-firearm media and educate people about every American's right to Second Amendment freedoms.

For the argument of anti-gun control I have selected the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence website. This campaign strives to stop potential killers from obtaining guns in the first place. To do this, the campaign aims to pass laws such as requiring Brady criminal background checks on all gun sales. The problem with gun sales in America is that anybody can go into a shop or go on the internet and buy weapons from unlicenced sellers, no questions asked. This is a fair argument and does not condemn the ownership of guns completely, it rather ensures that the law is applied over every gun sale in America thereby preventing gun killing by convicted felons and the mentally ill on a large scale.

I believe that both websites offer a valid argument and the values of the Brady Campaign can work harmoniously with those who maintain their right to keep and bear arms. Considering the vastness of America, implementing strict gun control laws would be difficult to prove effective. However, the Brady Law aims to stop the mentally disturbed from obtaining guns in the first place and therefore if this law passed, the majority of gun owners would own guns for no other purpose than protection, a justified point of view in an American context.

Pro And Anti-Gun Groups

http://www.vpc.org/aboutvpc.htm

This link is the website of The Violence Policy Centre, an organisation that describes itself as "a national tax-exempt ... non-profit organization based in Washington, DC, works to stop this annual toll of death and injury through research, advocacy, and education." They take the notion that all arms sales should be limited under health and safety regulations, like any other product. They are described by the National Rifle Association as "the most effective...anti-gun rabble rouser in Washington." They Quote that 30,000 Americans are killed every year due to accidental firearms use, partly due to the ease of purchase of the weapons. The group choose to control the health and safety of firearms by congress and legal angles.





http://home.nra.org/#/home

This is the website for the National Rifle Association of the USA, a non-profit organisation that looks to preserve the second amendment right of the United States constitution, that being "the right of the people to keep and bear arms..." The association challenges all laws and opinions that go against their view that all citizens of the United States should be able to carry a weapon.




http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UH7tRP_EZ9w

Republicans Win Virginia And New Jersey Elections In Blow For Barack Obama

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/northamerica/usa/barackobama/6498312/Republicans-win-Virginia-and-New-Jersey-elections-in-blow-for-Barack-Obama.html

" American voters have delivered a sharp rebuke to Barack Obama by rejecting his allies in Virginia, the swing state that helped deliver him the White House almost exactly a year ago, and the Democratic stronghold of New Jersey. "

Outside the Norm

I've chosen as my 'Historical' choice, the Quakers! After initially ariving in America in 1680, they formed the colony of Pennsylvania, I prosume named after its founder William Penn. The quakers have never been percieved in the USA with the highest of the of esteem. It could almost be said they fled to America due to them being persecuted in almost every country in Europe. Quaker (or the Religious Society of Friends) beleif comes derrives from Christianity, but they don't practically follow the Bible, members of the faith are allowed to percieve their own intepretations of God, and what he/she believed in. This, obviously, didn't go down too well with 17th century Europe, being highly ran, almost dominated by the motives of both the Protestant and Catholic Church, so they came to America to 'start again'.

While they've lived in America for centuries, they are still persecuted for the same reasons... being 'un-goddly'.


For my 'contemporary' choice, Trekkies, or the representation of 'Geek-dom' everywhere. First really coming about when the fandom of the TV programme Star Trek first aired, in 1966. 'Geeks' have always been viewed in social culture with a highly negative opinion. Prone to bullying and detrmental treatment all together, they are shunned for their image of being 'accidentaly weird', yet, the stereotype goes that they have an impressive intellect, but awefull social skills.

While 'Geeks' aren't the most pressing of minorities in American life, they do count as an 'Other' in the overal culture.

Gay and Lesbian advocates and defenders (GLAD) are an American gay and lesbian civil rights group that was founded in response to a sting operation carried out by Boston police surrounding the Boston public library. Police targeted gay patrons and had arrested over 100 people by the end of their 2 weeks of entrapment. Since then the organisation has campaigned for changes in the law to end discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity/expression and HIV status. At present only 6 out of the 50 states in America perform same sex marriages, with a few more legally recognising them, demonstrating the scale of the discrimination a large number of Americans experience due to their sexuality. GLAD believes that the way to tackle this discrimination is to go through the legal routes, of which they have experienced a fair amount of success, just recently achieving a victory regarding marriage equality in Maine.

http://www.glad.org/

The National Association for the Advancement of Coloured People (NAACP) were a grassroots civil rights group that started in 1909 in response to the awful treatment and discrimination experienced by the blacks in America. The organisations principal objective is to ensure the political, educational, social and economic equality of minority group citizens of United States and eliminate race prejudice. Membership grew rapidly over the years, with it at an all time high during Americas civil rights era of the 50's and 60's. The NAACP believed in using non violent action to achieve their means, primarily fighting racism through the law courts but also on the streets in the form of marches and demonstrations. Even after desegregation the group continued to campaign and still does so today, although now it focuses on disparities in economics, health care, education, voter empowerment and the criminal justice system as well as civil rights.

http://www.naacp.org/about/history/

http://www.noi.org/

The Nation of Islam is an organisation that beleives the afican-americans in the United States should have more independance, and that they were mearly brought to america. There former leader Elijah Muhammad is quoted as in saying

"The Blackman is the original man. From him came all brown, yellow, red, and white people. By using a special method of birth control law, the Blackman was able to produce the white race. This method of birth control was developed by a Black scientist known as Yakub, who envisioned making and teaching a nation of people who would be diametrically opposed to the Original People. A Race of people who would one day rule the original people and the earth for a period of 6,000 years."

The group was a religous organisation, yet still had a large voice when speakers like Malcome X (El-Hajj Malik El-Shabazz) were acting as the public face. It seems to have given some black communities the leadership they felt they were not getting, along with a god that have there persifict interests in mind. After the civil rights movement the Nation Of Islam declined, but is

now seeing a rise in populaity again under the leadership of Khadijah Farrakhan.

http://www.cnn.com/2009/LIVING/wayoflife/10/21/lia.browning.catholic.church/index.html

This is an article explaining how the Latino populatioon in the United States are becoming the dominate force in American religion. It is interesting to note that Hispanics are now the largest minority in the United States, after White, putting the black community in a difficult situation.

"Instead of screaming out, 'The British are coming!' " Moreno Garcia says some people are screaming, " 'The Hispanics are coming! The Hispanics are coming! Run, run.....' "
"When I come to Mass at noon, the Anglos leave, and [Latinos] go in and we don't even say 'hi' to each other, not even 'hi,'" says Garcia. "Sometimes I think there is a wall, but that wall exists only because we don't have enough faith."

Evolution of home entertainment

http://www.hemagazine.com/taxonomy/term/10

American consumers are notoriously known for wanting the latest gadgets and technology. I have chosen this website to represent the idea of America as "new" and "exceptional" as it highlights how home entertainment is constantly evolving to the point that affordable cinema istallataions in the home are rapidly becoming a realistic prospect.

The most recent article on the website covers the "Installation of the Year Awards 2009" and features innovative home theaters. They are presented a way in which appeals to a wider market than just affluent people. Similar to how video technology has advanced from VHS to DVD and now Blu-Ray, televisions are constantly adapting too and the cinematic experience at home is becoming ever more authentic.


In LETTER III of Letters From an American farmer, J. Hector St. John Crevecouer describes "natural genius" and "traces in their works the embryos of all the arts, sciences and ingenuity" in reference to American settlers in 1782. These quotes push the point across that settlers in America were modern thinkers, always progressing and thinking about the future with hope and ambition in mind. This idea can certainly be applied to designers within the technology industry today, but rather than products being made out of just technical innovation, their production are mostly driven by the consumer's desire for wanting more advanced products.

“So Must We Be One... Otherwise We Shall Be All Gone Shortly”

http://historymatters.gmu.edu/d/6227

This account was written by Lion Gardiner, an English military engineer who monitored the construction of a fort in Connecticut in 1635 and settled in Long Island in 1639.

In the Pequot War of 1637, Connecticut settlers massacred the Pequot Indians and Gardiner, who had advised against engaging with the Pequots, left Connecticut in 1639 and settled in Long Island. There he lived on Gardiner's Island, which he brought from his friend Wyandanch, the chief of the Montaukett tribe. Miantonomi, the chief of the Narragasett tribe who were rival of the Montauketts, came to Long Island in the early 1640s to create an alliance with the Montauketts against the English. After contacting the leaders of Connecticut for help, Gardiner and Wyandanch succeeded in stopping the plan and Miantonomi was captured and executed.

Gardiner explains "And now I am old, I would fain die a antural death, or like a soldier in the field, with honor and not to have a sharp stake set in the ground, and thrust into my fundament, and to have my skin flayed off by piece-metal, and cut in pieces and bits, and my flesh roasted and thrust down my throat, as these people have done, and I know will be done to the chiefest in the country by hundreds, if God should deliver usinto their hands, as justly he may for our sins". Not surprisingly he negatively refers to the Indians as barbaric here yet he admits that he deserves to be brutally killed as that would be God's punishment for his "sins". This is likely to be a reference to when he and his fellow Connecticut settlers massacred the Pequot Indians. He again alludes to God when he states "if the Lord be not more merciful to us for our extreme pride and base security". By aiding the massacre of the Indians for selfish reasons, Gardiner knew he had sinned and in documenting this he was effectively asking for mercy and forgiveness from God.

Gardiner then begins to convey a sense of unity between he and the tribes: "calling them bretheren and friends, for so we are we all Indians as the English are, and say brother to one another; so must we be one as they are, otherwise we shall be all gone shortly". He is not judgemental of the Indians and respects their mild manner away from battle. His admiration for their land is apparent when he describes it in a fairer light than England's: "our fathers had plenty of deer and skins, our plains were full of deer, as also our woods, and of turkies, and our coves full of fish and fowl. But these Enlgish having gotten our land, they with scythes cut down the grass, and with axes fell the trees; their cows and horses eat the grass, and their hogs spoil our clam banks, and we shall all be starved". Ultimately, Gardiner cherished the land he settled in but is remourseful about how he achieved it.

The 'New You' America

"If you take advantage of everything America has to offer, there’s nothing you can’t accomplish", is a quote by Geraldine Ferraro and tells something of the mindset of Americans even today. The idea that a person can go and be anything has led to the vast over use of plastic surgery, and the normality of the procedures, even for youngsters.
Women had 92 percent of cosmetic procedures (2006), the number of surgery's performed on women was over 10.5 million, showing the want for a better body or younger face that people feel they so desperately need.

American celebratory is a very fickle friend, being the top billed star to a 'nobody' is a common situation. The American media, as well as all media, enjoy the fall of any famous person, so often they are led to 'reinvent' themselves with promises of looking 20 years younger. The youth then see this as the way to get people to like them, your to change something that does not need changing. There is nothing wrong with improving your look, its this combined with American excess that leads to tragedy.

New America!

When I think of a 'new' or 'exceptional' America, I first thought of the 2008 Presidential election.

This is when in America, and the rest of the world; a great drive appears, as if every four years the country is divided into seperate pools where each 'swimmer' shares a common cause or feeling towards a certain subject. Surely, this is the same with every country when a general election comes around, but, with the USA's mighty media industry, the whole process is excelled.

However, if there has ever been a reason to be overly excited for an election, it would to be that of 2008. This election was driven by powerful keywords, such as: 'Hope' and 'Change'; a hope for a new, brighter, accepting, America; and a change from the days of Bush's right-wing.

De Crevecouer asked what this 'new man' was, and I hope that it is a man that can spurr the world forward, forge new alliances, and correct the wrongs of the recent years.

new america

The website i found that demonstrates the idea of America as new is a self improvement and personal evolution website. The idea that a person can completely reinvent themselves and become anything they want seems to be part of the american psyche that has evolved over time. Even in De Crevecouer's letters, he talks about how a person can come to America and succeed and prosper. He uses the metaphor of a plant to put across his ideals; "Every thing has tended to regenerate them: new laws, a new mode of living, a new social system; here they become men: in Europe they were as so many useless plants, wanting vegitative mould, and refreshing showers; they withered, and were mowed down by want, hunger, and war; but now by the power of transplantation, like all other plants they have taken root and flourished!". The modern day equivalent of this is shown in the numerous different self improvement books, groups and websites like this one that exist in america, which all talk of new beginnings.

http://www.morningcoach.com/

Letter from Casco, Maine, During King Philip's war

The account I found was written by a English settler in maine in 1676, during King Philips war. King Philips war was fought in new England, primarily on the maine frontier, between English colonists and native Americas and is considered to be one of the worst wars of its time due to numbers that lost their lives. The author of the letter talks about the number of colonists that are killed and how the distance between dwellings makes protecting themselves and sharing information difficult. This is demonstrated by the following quote; “On Friday last in the morning your own son with your two sons in Law Anthony and Thomas Bracket and their whole families were killed and taken by the Indians, we know no how, tis certainly known by us that Thomas is slain and his wife and children carried away captiue, and of Anthony and his family we haue no tidings and therefore think that thay might be captivated the night before because of the remoteness of their habitation from neighborhood,” Whats particularly interesting about the account is how the native Americans are portrayed and was is omitted. Whilst they did kill a number of colonists, the natives themselves suffered much heavier losses as a result of the conflict.

http://www.mayflowerfamilies.com/enquirer/rare_letter_from_casco.htm

Cuba Denounces US Radio and Television Aggression

http://www.cubanews.ain.cu/2009/1014cubadenuncia.htm

This news article covers the story that aggressive information against Cuba was broadcasted from US radio and television before the Fourth Commission of the UN General Assembly. It is taken from the Cuban News Agency, ACN.

The article explains that out of 23 stations which broadcast to Cuba from the US, 18 belong to organisations that are linked to terrorists that operate in US territory with the approval of US federal authorities. According to the article US Congress supports these broadcasts by annually spending more than 30 million dollars on them for the purpose of promoting subversion and encouraging hatred in Cuba.

I chose this article as I find it disturbing that US Congress actively supports illegal aggressive radio and television broadcasts against Cuba. The lack of objectivity and balance in these broadcasts are concerning and reminiscent of propaganda. Expanding this point on a wider scale, it is difficult to trust the media in general. The public depend on the news to inform them of events but it is hard to know whether news is being presented fairly, especially with the knowledge that news can easily be controlled and edited to fit an agenda.

New York Considered And Improved 1695

http://nationalhumanitiescenter.org/pds/becomingamer/growth/text1/newyorkmiller.pdf

This is an account by reverend John Miller in 1695 on how to improve New York City, as well as mention other issues he felt were of a concern. I decided to choose this article because it tells something of the way people were thinking in those times. What is the most interesting is not that he lists the problems out, but then goes about writing how to solve them. He breaks the problems down into
1. the wickedness & irreligion of the inhabitants
2. want [lack] of ministers
3. difference of opinions in religion
4. a civil dissension
5. the heathenism of the Indians
6. the neighborhood of Canada

He later refers to the Indians and how "the Heathenism of the natural Indians who here in the very heart of a Christian country practice their barbarous & devilish customs & modes of worship...," I find it interesting how he can believe it is their wrong for practicing a belief in their own country, let alone calling it devilish. Anther point that interests him greatly is his plan for the resettlement of Canada by the British, going into detail about how that invasion might play out.

Map of the USA

The map I have chosen is named America-The Mall. What i think the artist of this map was attempting to show, was how cloned certain aspects of American life have become, with everyone going to the same chain stores, in the same type of malls, but not really caring as they meet their consumer needs. For me this map seems to sum up completely the consumerist nature that seems to prevail in the US, with people placing too much emphasise on material possessions. It also signifies in my opinion, looking at and recognizing some of the shops named such as Starbucks and McDonalds, the global reach that some companies have achieved.

Who will benefit from the end of the Cold War?

http://en.rian.ru/valdai_op/20090930/156302512.html

This article is taken from the Russian news agency RiaNovosti, and tells of how the Russians still mistrust America, 20 years after the cold war ended.

"Many people responsible for political decisions in Russia do not believe in the possibility of honest and practical cooperation with America even in the traditional areas of collaboration, mentioned when they need to project a positive tone, like the fight against terrorism, nuclear non-proliferation, poverty, or global warming. There is always rivalry in these spheres, and it always dominates cooperation. As for other areas of potential cooperation, prejudice and mistrust do not even allow for the launching of a constructive dialog."

I thought it was an interesting article after reading this section, and it tells a lot of how Russia still sees itself as a major power alongside America. It goes on to say that Russia is not yet ready to open up investment and business to the United States, as well as the western powers, and this only hurts Russian trade. The Russian people are being told that all things American are wrong and should be avoided, yet it is the same people that are suffering from this policy.

"At the same time, infighting for kickbacks from corruption prevents the development of predictable and understandable rules . . . Russia has no such rules, and everything here depends on the current political climate, the official who holds this or that post, his/her plans for a business, and God only knows what else."

Maps of the USA

I chose the map named 'Homeland Is Where the Heart Is'.

When I first saw the image, I thought of American patriotism. This prosumption was then reinforced by the inclusion of three little words under the title of the map; "We The People", which is the preamble to the Constitution of the United States. The reference to such a powerful and well respected document in US culture surely cements its patriotic values, yet, on further inspection of the site that the image derrived from; the reviewer doesn't mention anything like this. Instead, the reviewer argues that is to do with geopolitics, which I think simply means he/she took the image at face value.

You can find the original post for this 'map' here:
http://strangemaps.wordpress.com/2009/07/27/402-homeland-is-where-the-heartland-is/

Positive and Negative images of America

For me, a unique aspect of American culture is its peoples reverence for the ‘American Dream’ and in my opinion nothing captures that ideal like the Statue of Liberty. The fact that the statue was built as a monument celebrating America’s signing of the declaration of independence, signifies for me the Americans prevailing sense of optimism, that people are entitled to liberty and freedom, as well as a prosperous life. I find the concept of the American dream and the fact that so many people believe in it a hugely positive part of American culture. The fact that it empowers people so much that they believe that anybody is capable of succeeding in life is uplifting!

In my opinion one of the most negative aspects of American culture is its stance on weapon ownership and availability. To me it seems backward to still allow people the ‘right to bear arms’ as is written in the bill of rights. Guns cause so many problems and misery in today’s America which could be greatly reduced if America were to rethink its standpoint on firearms. To me, the iconic image of Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold in the cafeteria of columbine school where they shot dead over a dozen people before killing themselves really captures the extent of the issue and the pain that is caused. Whats worst is that anti gun legislation still didn’t make it through government even immediately after the tragedy, which brings you to wonder how many more people are going to have to suffer before anything changes?