Blog#9. - "A Modest Proposal" by Jonathon Swift

This essay, I believe made me feel a little nausous. I'm not going to lie. Reading about the "would you like salt or pepper" with your kids. (not funny at all). But ofcourse there is a reasoning behind his sick humor. I believe it is for us to understand the true problem about children. I think he is trying to make us question..."when children are so poor...should we just throw them away? I mean might as well eat them..." type of thing. I think that some differences between the Swift and the proposer is that Swift it definitely more understanding for the people living in harsh, poverty. It is obvious that the proposer has a sicker mind than Swift, and Swift truley does not want children to be eaten! It becomes known that Swift does not really want children to be eaten, because he states that eating children would help the country but his reasoning for why eating children would help was not really "Real" or humane. In addition, I believe that the audience for this proposal was for wealthy people. The wealthy people who are aware of the striken poverty and poor people out on the streets. This proposal is for rich people who care. And Swift would be in the middle class. When i became aware that Swift's proposal was not serious, ofcourse I was relieved and all. But the whole idea of eating children in the first place is absurd and disgusting. But that is how he gets our attention. There are many issues around the world, political and social, that have similarities to his proposal. For example, during the progressive era, when child labor was in, they treated them very poorly as if they were not important. This was due to their lack of money, and poverty and so forth that they were ended up in a factory or some coal shop. Children are the future, lets not do this again.

Blog # 8 - "The Onion"

"Troop Morale Boosted By Suprise Visit From First Dog"

1. This article is about President George W. Bush's dog, Barney who enlightens and helps the spirits of the men in the Iraq War by paying them a visit. This article includes responses from the soldiers who were greatly impacted by Barney's visit and things Barney did while in Iraq.

2. This article is funny because Barney did not really impact the soldiers' lives. Barney did not really go and meet important military figures in Iraq. Barney did not give any "handshakes" or "speeches", and the soldiers' were not really "taken with his presence." And the president would not send his dog over to Iraq thinking that he would inspire the soldiers. It's funny because a DOG was given strong human characteristics that were ironic and unreal. I laughed. It was funny.

3. I would call this piece of humor literature...a Travesty. Only because a travesty is when you add humor or ridicule of a serious work or subject, or subject matter and that is the war in Iraq. The author, I believe, is saying that Bush is basically not doing anything to give the soldiers help or encouragement, because by sending his dog, it's like sending no one. A dog cannot really brighten the soldiers or lift their spirits or anything...really. I mean as much as a president coming. So its a serious matter...but it's funny the way this author does it.

4. Yes, the writing is effective in making me laugh. For this article provides a very unrealistic event happening. Especially when the writer added in fake quotes said by high miliary officials and soldiers. And also actions a dog would never do. In addition, this was just making fun of Bush's lack of help in the Iraq. Right? Well anyway...for example, "During his visit, Barney impressed top military leadership with his attentiveness and steadfastness, yet he tactfully avoided addressing such highly charged issues as extended tours of duty and the shortage of effective body armor."
And also, '" As soon as he [Barney] stepped off the plane, it was clear he was interested in what was happeneing on the ground here,' said Gen George Casey, commander of Multi-National Force-Iraq who met with the First Dog in the courtyard outside his office at Camp Victory."
I also find it very cute that he called Barney the "first dog." hahaha. NO.

If I was a soldier, what would I carry?

If I was a soldier I would carry a diary with a pencil or a pen. (As cliche as that sounds.) Throughout my life I have always had a diary of some sort. From small hole-punched notebooks to thick-papered velvet covered diaries; I have always recorded my life from time to time. Sometimes writing every night to just writing once a month. My diaries help me through hard times. I write in my diary for many reasons such as good experiences, bad experiences, amazing events, embaressing moments, regular days, and for venting.

Now if I was a soldier, all of those reasons why I write in a diary would come in handy for me. After reading a novel and a half about war and watching several movies about war I think that a diary would be a perfect item for me to carry. I wouldn't write down every day but important days about the war. Maybe the daily routines for one entry and those days when one doesn't wish to be in the war and ramble about that. I just feel that a diary would open myself up in ways a person couldn't. I mean sometimes one doesn't wish to be judged. In addition, since war is such an emotionally draining place to be, once again the diary would be a perfect place to jot down everything I feel. I also like writing. Not as in purpose essays, or research papers, or those "lets see if you can write well" writing assignments, but just to write.

Also, I like drawing and doodling. So I could basically draw all over my diary. Overall, a diary would be what I would carry...if I was a soldier.