Question of the Week #4 - Deck The Halls With Boughs of Hollyyy Fa La La La La La La La La

My favorite holiday memory is probably one every kid can relate to!

When my brother and I were younger, we would set out cookies and milk for Santa Clause, food for the reindeers and stay up as late as my mom would let us. Then, we would wake up really, really early and sit in front of the tree waiting for our parents to wake up. The anticipation actually leading up to the present opening was always the best, sometimes better than the excitement (or lack thereof) obtained from the presents we received.

Anyway, ^^^ that's what I love about the holidays. I don't really have just one specifically great memory. However, I do remember how one year when we were at our cousin's house for Christmas, my parents, Santa rang the doorbell in the morning and our presents were sitting on the doorstep because there was no chimney at their house. :)

In any case, I really appreciate the lengths my parents went to make sure we had a enjoyable Christmas, especially seeing how its not even my religion. I can't wait to do it for my kids!

I hope everyone has a wonderful holiday and a blessed New Year :) Happy 2012!

Child labor laws are STUPID!

1. Who drew the cartoon?
John Darkow, Columbia Daily Tribune

2. List and describe the key objects in the cartoon and describe what each represents:
Santa = Newt Gingrich
Children = children

3. What techniques or devices does the cartoonist use?
Caricature, analogy

4. What issue or event does the cartoon deal with?
Newt Gingrich's opinion on child labor laws

5. What is the cartoon's message?
Children shouldn't be lazy and need to work for their own things

6. What is the cartoonist's point-of-view?
Newt said that he thought child labor laws should be done away with and that children should work so that they can gain experience in the real world. Darkow clearly thinks this is as ludicrous as Santa telling children to work for their Christmas presents 

Question of the Week #3 - B.H. Obama

Obama's job approval: 43% APP, 50% DIS
Obama 47% - Romney 47%
GOP Ballet Support - Gingrich 33%
Obama 49% - Perry 45%
Even though Obama's approval ratings are at a historical low, I think he has a pretty good chance for reelection. As it is, incumbents usually have a bigger advantage. Plus, the Republicans aren't putting forth any really strong contenders, and the ones who are leading within the party are still a couple points behind him.

Newt Gingrich... A Bad Christmas Present for America - Week 3

1. Who drew the cartoon?
Nate Beeler for The Washington Examiner

2. List and describe the key objects in the cartoon and describe what each represents:
Man in the stocking = Newt Gingrich
Elephant = Republican party

3. What techniques or devices does the cartoonist use?
Symbolism, caricature, captioning/labels, analogy, exaggeration

4. What issue or event does the cartoon deal with?
Newt Gingrich running for President

5. What is the cartoon's message?
Gingrich would not make a good president

6. What is the cartoonist's point-of-view?
Newt Gingrich is not well suited for President, and he would be the absolute worst thing that could happen 

Question of the Week #2 - Mitt Romney

As of right now, my number one choice for the Republican nomination would be Mitt Romney. This is not because he is such a stand out candidate, but rather because Gingrich disgusts me and Romney is second in line to him.

Anyway, the best thing going for Romney in my opinion is that he has a lot of money and therefore a lot of connections. Gingrich doesn't have as much as Romney, and that may be a key factor as the race progresses. However, Romney has a weak base with conservative Republicans, and that may be his downfall. Also, he only holds a very marginal lead in 1 of the first 4 primaries (New Hampshire), and if he doesn't win it, he may be in serious trouble. 

The Occupy Movement Continues - Week 2

1. Who drew the cartoon?
David Fitzsimmons for the Arizona Daily Star

2. List and describe the key objects in the cartoon and describe what each represents:
Santa = our government
The little boy = Occupy protesters
The list = the protesters demands

3. What techniques or devices does the cartoonist use?
Caricature, captioning/labels, exaggeration

4. What issue or event does the cartoon deal with?
Occupy protests

5. What is the cartoon's message?
Occupy protester's demands are not very clear

6. What is the cartoonist's point-of-view?
The protests are going on for too long and the protesters don't even have a clear goal in mind - they don't know what exactly it is they want