Question of the Week #6 - Senior Year!

So far, senior year has been going pretty well for me. Except for the fact that because of "senioritis" my grades our worse than ever, I'm doing just fine. I'm surprisingly stress free at this point now that I've finished and turned in all my applications. All I get to do now is wait :O

The schools I applied to, in order of preference:

University of Virginia

Virginia Tech

James Madison University

George Mason

"Unless you have been shot at by the Taliban, shut your mouth, war is hell."

1. Who drew the cartoon?
Jimmy Margulies, The Record of Hackensack, NJ

2. List and describe the key objects in the cartoon and describe what each represents:Boy = Marines
Words = pee
Droplets at end = Taliban


3. What techniques or devices does the cartoonist use?
Symbolism
Caricature
Analogy

4. What issue or event does the cartoon deal with?
US Marines urinating on bodies of Taliban members

5. What is the cartoon's message?
The fact that the Marines urinated on those bodies is in return for "years of United States sacrifice in Afghanistan"

6. What is the cartoonist's point-of-view?
The soldiers were just doing this as a way of "blowing off some steam," per se. They have suffered in Afghanistan for so long and have seen horrendous things and they have all this built up hatred towards the Taliban that they thought this would be ok. 

Question of the Week #5 - Predictions

I think Romney will win the GOP race for the nomination because so far he has proven himself able to win both the Iowa Caucus and the New Hampshire Primary (which are both good predictors of who will win). Also, he is a strong candidate who can withstand any criticism that is thrown at him by his fellow competitors, unlike Gingrich who faltered under the pressure. However, even if Romney is able to win the nomination, I do not think he will win against President Obama. Romney, when compared to Obama, is not nearly as consistent in his ideas and has not really presented a valid solution to all our problems.

Iowa - Week of January 8

1. Who drew the cartoon?
Bob Englehart, The Hartford Courant

2. List and describe the key objects in the cartoon and describe what each represents:Racing field/horse race - Iowa Caucus
Winner - Mitt Romney
Runner up - Rick Santorum
2nd Runner up - Newt Gingrich

3. What techniques or devices does the cartoonist use?
Symbolism - horse race symbolizes race for presidency
Caricature - Romney's features are really exaggerated
Juxtaposition - the men on horses are in the same order as the Iowa caucus results showed


4. What issue or event does the cartoon deal with?
Iowa caucus

5. What is the cartoon's message?
Romney came in first, with Santorum and Gingrich in a close second and third

6. What is the cartoonist's point-of-view?
Its not even about the politics anymore... people only care who wins or loses

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.