Compare and contrast Barack Obama and Franklin Delano Roosevelt as presidents. Be sure to cover topics such as their responses to the economy, their interactions with the American public and their relationships with other elements of the US government (feel free to write about more, too!).
Your writing should come in the form of an editorial in which you take a side—you cannot write "as you can see they are similar and different!"
Your writing should also feature direct primary-source evidence from speeches and/or writings by both BHO & FDR.NOTE: This blog is important...if you choose not to do it, you might find yourself less prepared for the quiz on Friday.
Franklin Delano Roosevelt (FDR) was the first president to communicate with his public so often, and in so many new ways! For example, FDR created these radio shows called "Fireside Reports", where he would talk about the most recent issues, and reassure citizens all over America. Americans trusted him, especially after their last president, Herbert Hoover, who was much more of a hands-off style leader. Roosevelt's involvement with the community turned out to be much more effective in the depression. This, along with his inspiring words ("We have nothing to fear but fear itself") charmed everyone and earned their trust.
Obama seems to be in a very similer situation to the great FDR. George W. Bush would be, in this situation, the Herbert Hoover. Hoover was a Republican, and FDR was a Democrat. Noticing a pattern? Durring the 2008 election, people were desperate for change, and that was exactly what Obama was offering. He, much like Roosevelt, had a way with words that would charm the audiance (ex: "Change will not come if we wait for some other person or some other time. We are the ones we've been waiting for. We are the change that we seek."). America is currently going through "The Great Recession", which is just a little better than The Great Depression. Everyone is still struggling in one way or another, but nothin is instant. Obama's communication is also substantionally more frequent than recent presidents. So does this mean that Obama is the new FDR? How true can the saying "history repeats itself" be in such situations? Only time will tell.
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Blog #7
Predict how companies or industries similar to the one that you worked at during internship would have fared during the Great Depression. Would your company have thrived or sunk? Why?
My internship was a self ran photography company. The only people who work there are Betsy and Jeff, and their married, so their funds would go to them and their needs. I'm not sure how often photography was used back then, but if they often put pictures in Newspapers, and rich families wanted their pictures taken, then I think their company would have easily survived since their wages aren't being split amongst hundreds of people, and photography was still fairly new back then. However, if there wasn't many photography jobs, then I'm sure their company would have flopped, since there wouldn't really be any customers.
My internship was a self ran photography company. The only people who work there are Betsy and Jeff, and their married, so their funds would go to them and their needs. I'm not sure how often photography was used back then, but if they often put pictures in Newspapers, and rich families wanted their pictures taken, then I think their company would have easily survived since their wages aren't being split amongst hundreds of people, and photography was still fairly new back then. However, if there wasn't many photography jobs, then I'm sure their company would have flopped, since there wouldn't really be any customers.
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Blog #6
Choose one character from The Grapes of Wrath and list four important quotes said by or written by this character. Explain what you believe these quotes reveal about the character.
Jim Casy
"I was a preacher...Got a lot of sinful idears--but they seem sensible" Well, this quote basically tells us that he was a preacher. Very important to his character. Also, it shows that he uses logic.
"I'd take one of them girls out in the grass, an' I'd lay with her." Basically, he got around with the girls he preached to and baptized. This is what got him questioning his beliefs.
Casy looked shyly at him. "If it hits you wrong, don't take no offense at it, will you?" This shows that he's cautious and polite, as many religeous people tend to be (at least in what I've noticed).
I might do a character sketch of Tom Joad instead, but I'm still deciding. It'll probably be Casy, though.
Jim Casy
"I was a preacher...Got a lot of sinful idears--but they seem sensible" Well, this quote basically tells us that he was a preacher. Very important to his character. Also, it shows that he uses logic.
"I'd take one of them girls out in the grass, an' I'd lay with her." Basically, he got around with the girls he preached to and baptized. This is what got him questioning his beliefs.
Casy looked shyly at him. "If it hits you wrong, don't take no offense at it, will you?" This shows that he's cautious and polite, as many religeous people tend to be (at least in what I've noticed).
I might do a character sketch of Tom Joad instead, but I'm still deciding. It'll probably be Casy, though.
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Blog 5
Post three examples of other students' work from this semester that stands out as particularly high quality. Look through mentor interviews, photo essays, DP's and blogs. Post links to the three examples (preferably from three different students) and write a brief explanation for each in which you describe what makes this work stand out to you.
Emilie Colwell did a really nice job of recreating a Madonna picture. The resemblance is clear, but she also puts her own spin on it.
Marcus Alexander's American Icon writing is well written in a way that shows his passion for piano and music, and shows more of his personal side, which makes it unique.
I also liked Madison M.'s Mentor interview, because the title really pulled me in and got me interested in reading the rest of her writing.
Emilie Colwell did a really nice job of recreating a Madonna picture. The resemblance is clear, but she also puts her own spin on it.
Marcus Alexander's American Icon writing is well written in a way that shows his passion for piano and music, and shows more of his personal side, which makes it unique.
I also liked Madison M.'s Mentor interview, because the title really pulled me in and got me interested in reading the rest of her writing.
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Blog #3
Ampersand is coming, Ampersand is coming, Ampersand is coming!!!
Post your personal goals, hopes and ambitions for your class' production & publication of this book.
I hope I come up with a strong piece of creative writing that really means something to me, and has an impact. I'm thinking about writing a poem about being yourself, or reminding yourself that you are someone. Along with this, I hope I can take the picture I have in my mind, and hopefully make that vision better than I imagine it. I want what I create to be something that lasts in my memory, and doesn't just go by like many other assignments.
And finally, when it comes to the production of Ampersand, I really hope I can help people in improving their writing, and taking a leadership position. I hope this helps me bring the leader part of me out.
Post your personal goals, hopes and ambitions for your class' production & publication of this book.
I hope I come up with a strong piece of creative writing that really means something to me, and has an impact. I'm thinking about writing a poem about being yourself, or reminding yourself that you are someone. Along with this, I hope I can take the picture I have in my mind, and hopefully make that vision better than I imagine it. I want what I create to be something that lasts in my memory, and doesn't just go by like many other assignments.
And finally, when it comes to the production of Ampersand, I really hope I can help people in improving their writing, and taking a leadership position. I hope this helps me bring the leader part of me out.
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
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