Bill Clinton Speech at Montco - 11/5/12

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pxd8MH_9EVQ

    On November 5th, only a day before the 2012 election, former President Bill Clinton spoke at a pro-Obama rally at Montgomery County Community College in Pennsylvania. In this portion of the speech, appropriately titled "the future", Clinton discussed how President Obama is the right choice in this election by describing the president's past actions and how they will positively affect students and the middle class. For example, he described a program going into effect next year that will have students pay a low, fixed student loan rate off of their income. Bill Clinton's argument throughout his speech was that President Barack Obama is the right choice for president because he is arguing the same points the President advocates for and is endorsing him continuously.
     As many Americans know right now, the United States is going through tough times. The economy is recovering at a sluggish rate, the number of Americans on food stamps or welfare is increasing, and students are graduating from college into an environment with 7.9% unemployment. Considering this situation, former President Clinton spoke for his audience of young workers and students to inspire and connect with Montgomery County citizens and to encourage them to vote for President Obama on Election Day.
     Clinton's argument was arranged in a set of enthymemes; he uses each of Obama's accomplishments as a reason for the American people to vote for him. As stated earlier, his claim is "you should vote for President Obama". Each of his minor premises would be something like "President Obama has done the following for the country and the people...". His unstated major premise is "These accomplishments are beneficial factors when deciding who to vote for President".
     Two prominent rhetorical elements President Clinton used in his speech were logos and pathos. He used logos by sharing irrefutable facts to express his point such as his investment in educational programs and small businesses. Furthermore, he used pathos by connecting his irrefutable facts and claim to his audience of Americans living in that area and by talking about the Community College itself: "What works is what works here... We have a lot of cooperation at the community college, do you like that?... [Obama] has invested in the finest student loan reform in my lifetime". Clinton uses this tactic to deeply touch his audience that is familiar with the community college. Paired with Clinton's persona as a former and accomplished President, he is successful in getting his claim to his audience and affecting each person listening to his speech.
     Former President Bill Clinton accomplished his purpose successfully through this speech because he implemented Obama's name behind each of the successes in this country over the past four years, which led the audience to respond in a very confident, pleased manner. By doing this, he made his audience energetic and enthusiastic to vote for the current President of the United States.
    The next day, President Obama won the state of Pennsylvania and the overall election, winning him another four-year term in the White House. Bill Clinton endorsed the President and rallied behind him for a very long time. By going around the country giving his speeches and inspiring his claim among citizens, there is no doubt he significantly helped President Obama win the election.

BBC News -- France Rafale jets target Gao in eastern Mali

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-21002918



This article explains some information about France's recent assault against rebel troops in Mali. The old French colony has been in a state of civil war for months against an uprising demanding a radical interpretation of Islamic law. The rebels have occupied several towns in eastern and southern Mali. On Friday, France started taking action by deploying warplanes in the country. They will meet with the UN later this week. Over a hundred militants have died and civilians have crossed borders into neighboring countries.

This BBC article has been on the front page of the website for all day today, revolving around the ongoing conflict in Mali. The text's purpose is to inform BBC readers about France's military action against Malian rebels. The article hopes to share its information in an objective, neutral manner in order to not discriminate against its readers' own opinions. For example, a British citizen who reads this article might support the Malian rebels and still receive the same information in a fair manner. 

A rhetorical element that the author used in this article is his objective tone. In other words, he does not express his opinion on the issue. By doing this, the author appeals to all audiences and is unbiased on the topic. Another rhetorical element is the use of short, clear sentences. The text is set up in this way because the article's purpose is not to wow its audience with creativity and use of language. It is to be straightforward and simply state the facts, which the author successfully achieves in this article

Dreams from My Father: Chapters 2-6

"...the same thought had occurred to me... The emotions between the races could never be pure; even love was tarnished by the desire to find in the other some element that was missing in ourselves. Whether we sought out our demons or salvation, the other race would always remain just that: menacing, alien, and apart" (p. 124).

This portion of the book is focused mainly on the reoccurring obstacle of racial adversity as Barack Obama shuffles through his childhood and college life. Obama moves to Indonesia with his mother to live with her second husband. There, Obama tells stories about discrimination he remembers facing before he was even ten years old. Shortly after, the family moved back to Hawaii, and young Obama enrolled in a school from 5th grade until graduation. He was one of a small minority of black students. After graduating, Obama went to college in Las Angeles, where he lived a life full of parties and drinking. More stories are told through relatives that give more information about Obama's father's struggle in marrying a white American and having him. The chapter ends with a dream about Obama visiting his old, frail father in a cot before he died.

In this section of the story, young Obama is finding his belonging, searching for his place in the world, and ultimately learning who he is. To the reader, his or her interest is gradually rising in Obama's journey towards finding his place in the world, amid all sorts of discrimination. One tool used by the author to really grab the reader's attention was the use of vulgar language. Predominantly in his college years, Obama illustrates his experiences very thoroughly through the use of strong language because it lets the reader know that he is not clouding up any of his stories; he is opening himself up to his audience.