Monday Matters #15

When It Comes to Early Learning, Preschool Isn't Enough

In this editorial by Fawn Johnson, she is stressing the importance of child learning at an early age. She is stressing it at the preschool. Johnson fears that if a child fails to meet certain skills by a certain age they are being set up for a difficult life.  Another problem in the preschool educational system is poverty-stricken areas. It is much more common for a child being admitted into a good preschool in a wealthier neighborhood. Johnson feels that the wealthier parents feel a greater desire for their children to go to an elite school in the future. If a child starts off behind, they will remain behind for the rest of their lives. It is up to the parent to determine their child's future.

Monday Matters #14

Why 80 Percent of Top Students Get into Elite Colleges

In this article on education, Max Ehrenfreund of the Washington Post, is discussing his opinion on the current fallacies in the college ranking systems. He voices his opinion on why he feels it is not right to rank a college based on their acceptance rate. The problem with this tactic are the unfair measures taken by colleges. A highly ranked college will often send thousands of letters to students, urging them to attempt to enroll at their college. Then, the college will be able to deny more applicants, therefore minimizing their acceptance rate, but still enrolling the same amount of students. Ehrenfreund believes that an effective substitution for this process would be to develop a "thoughtful, comprehensive system for ranking schools based on data." However, although this is pushed by many, it is also ridiculed by many.

Monday Matters #13

Is College Worth It?

For many years in our society, college has been looked upon as a necessity and this is true, in some cases. Peter Theil from the Washington Post is discussing his view on choosing to go to college after high school in Thinking too Highly of Higher Ed. In this article Theil is voicing his opinion that college should not be viewed as a necessity to be successful. College does not guarantee you a job and, as a result, could put you in huge debt. However, Theil is also not discouraging college. Overall, college needs to be determined by the person and not by sociey. 

Monday Matters #12

Ebola

One of the most talked about issues at this time is the epidemic of Ebola. When the first Ebola case in America was exposed, the United States became horrified. With the disease killing thousands in third-world countries, Americans feared the same would happen. However, this is simply not the case. Very few Americans have died of Ebola since it entered the US, because of modern medicine and quarantine that is provided in America. This is why I would agree with The Washington Times and Lauren Garrett of CNN, that Americans do not need to fear Ebola. The virus is simply being blown out of proportion. Americans should fear the flu more than Ebola, which is elaborated on by Karin Klein in her editorial. I found flaws in the editorials by The L.A. Times and David G. Brown in that they did not take into consideration, how little the Ebola virus has affected the United States.

Monday Matters #10

Ebola in the United States.

The Ebola virus has sparked fear in the nation. However, is it really something that needs to be feared? In the editorial by The Washington Times, Ebola Comes to America, it is felt that ebola is not something to be afraid of in America. Things as simple as washing hands can help prevent the virus. It is only so frightening in third world countries, because these hygiene tactics can not always be done. In contrast, the editorial board of the New York Times writes in Stopping Ebola in America the ideals that the US needs to take more extreme precautions to prevent the virus, even as severe as stopping all flight between the US and countries where ebola is most prevalent.

Monday Matters #11

Is Ebola a Major Concern?

Over the past few months the Ebola epidemic has brought about conflicting views. Laurie Garrett from CNN believes that although the Ebola virus is a serious issue, the disease is becoming over-exaggerated. She describes in, Why an Ebola epidemic is spinning out of control, that the Ebola virus can be easily contained and America is doing a good job at it. However, in this illustration (http://editorialcartoonists.com/cartoon/display.cfm/136428/) by David G. Brown, he feels that the Ebola virus is not being contained well enough because the US does not have their priorities in straight. The cartoons in the picture are more concerned about the man in the turban, than the ghost of death, labeled as ebola.

Monday Matters #9

Ebola... Over or Under Exaggerated?

In Karin Klein's opinion-based article, Is the flu really more dangerous to Americans than Ebola? It depends, she gives her opinion that the widespread epidemic of the ebola virus may be over-exaggerated. She gives statistics that show that America currently faces over 3,000 deaths per year due to the much more common flu, while there have been only a handful of reports of Ebola in the U.S. In contrast, however, the Associated Press of the L.A. Times writes the article, Fifth doctor dies of Ebola in Sierra Leone, to inform readers on the recent death of an Ebola-diagnosed doctor in Sierra Leone. The severity of Ebola is expressed in this article through visual rhetoric, by including images of Africans being sprayed by a disinfectant spray. Also, they are including that Ebola has not only killed many, but has set back political stability and economic recovery in the afflicted countries of Sierra Leone, Guinea and Liberia.

Monday Matter #8

An Ebola Czar? Are You Kidding Me

In this cartoon, columnist, Dave Kranzler is giving his opinion on the recent Ebola epidemic in the United States. In his opinion Ebola is being completely over-exaggerated by Americans who continue to ignore the real problems in America, obesity, tobacco, and alcohol abuse; all of which kill thousands times more than Ebola. Kranzler is viewing society as a mistaken group that clearly does not have their priorities straight. All of this is depicted in the cartoon through the fast food consuming, smoking, alcoholic, overweight, American, who is crying out over Ebola.

Monday Matters #7

Start spreading the snooze!

In this article, Stephen A. Smith is discussing the horrible status currently held by New York sports teams. Smith is discrediting every aspect of the teams' play and giving information on their current losing record. therefore, Stephen A. Smith is viewing society with a pessimistic approach; always focusing on the bad of the situation. Smith failed to include a single good note about New Yorks' sports teams.

Monday Matters #6

What makes Steve Kerr so special?

NBA analist and ESPN columnists, Stephen A. Smith is writing on his opinion of former NBA player Steve Kerr. Stephen A Smith feels that he should be a leading contender for a coaching job in the NBA. Smith discusses that Kerr has more than enough playoff experience and knows how to run the triangle offense, which makes it clearer for him to go to the Lakers. Smith is directing this article to the NBA teams and the public in order to persuade and inform them on his opinion of Steve Kerr. Smith accomplishes this by the use of logos, because he gives multiple statistics and facts on why it would be a logical move to give Steve Kerr a coaching position in the NBA.

Monday Matters #5

For Melo, it's Gotham or South Beach

In this article by Stephen A. Smith, he writes his opinion on Carmelo Anthony's next move. With his contract for the New York Knicks up, he is faced with many options. However, in Smith's opinion his only logical two options are Miami or back to New York. In New York he is being offered a $129 million contract, which is substantially higher than anywhere. In contrast, if he were to move to Miami, the Heat would be an unstoppable force, giving Melo his desperately desired ring.

It seems that Smith is directing this opinion to the general public, but also to Carmelo himself. In this article Stephen A. Smith is using logos. Throughout the essay, he gives logical reasons on why Miami or New York are Carmelo's best (only) options. He does this to both persuade Melo into a decision, but also to inform the public on Anthony's current position. This pushes Carmelo to take action, but also appeases the public on their questions regarding Carmelo Anthony.

Monday Matter #4

No D-Will, no way for Brooklyn Nets

Columnist for ESPN New York, Stephen A. Smith, voices his incredibly biased opinion on the Brooklyn Nets and all the attention surrounding their point guard, Deron Williams. Smith believes that the Nets have absolutely no chance of being a championship-contender if Deron Williams does not "show up," which is greatly stressed by Smith. In Stephen A. Smith's opinion, Deron Williams is not playing as he should. Among the last two All-Star Game point guards in the NBA, Deron Williams has not been included and yet he is still getting paid as much if not more than all of them. Also, Williams has been suffering from ankle problems lately, making him less valuable. 

The only reason, in Stephen A. Smith's opinion, for Brooklyn's success is the players that Deron Williams has to back him up, such as Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce. If Williams does not bring to the team what he should, the Nets will not even make it past the first round in the playoffs of the 2015 season, in Stephen A. Smith's opinion.

Monday Matters #3

The One Thing ISIS Could Do That Would FORCE Obama To Act

This political cartoon, illustrated by Steven Straub, is directed mainly towards Barack Obama and how he has handled the ISIS situation. In recent news, Barack Obama has spent more time playing golf than any other president of the United States in history. Also in the news, the ISIS militant group has been beheading American citizens in an attempt to gain the US's attention. This cartoon is showing that it is, obviously, not working. The cartoon was illustrated as a direct blow to Obama, saying that he cares more about golf than the problems in Syria. Steven Straub is questioning, what more ISIS must do to get Obama's attention.

Monday Matters #2

The Unlikeliest of Coalitions

Can Adversaries Become Allies to Fight ISIS?

This editorial written by The Editorial Board of the New York Times gives their opinion on what needs to be done in order to stop ISIS from expanding and possibly taking of the nation. It also gives information on the obstacles that are preventing further progress in stopping the ISIS threat.

The articles quotes,"The Obama administration needs to bring together a reliable international coalition as the backbone of its campaign to defeat the Islamic State, the Sunni extremist group that controls large parts of Iraq and Syria." This means that the countries need to unite in order to go up against the extremist militant group. It also states that over 40 countries have agreed to work together to stop this threat, however there are a few countries that are preventing this from happening. The first of these being Turkey. Turkey has one of the groups largest armies, which would be a valuable asset. However, the country refuses to fight on the front lines because of the ISIS hostage kidnapping of Turkish diplomats. Also,  Turkey refuses to take aggressive measures by stopping border crossing flow that is benefiting ISIS. 

The second and third of these obstacles are Saudi Arabia and the Gulf states and Iran and Syria. Saudi Arabia and the Gulf States have agreed to join the fight in stopping ISIS, however they also have been provided Islamic militant groups with financial aid and weapons. Iran and Syria have been considering ISIS a threat for decades now. However, the nations will not involve themselves in direct cooperation with American forces, because they fear it could affect Mr. Assad's hold on power.

It is uncertain if the Obama Administration can bring together these allies to join up against ISIS. So far, the sole focus is on what each country's military can provide in the war efforts. These are not guaranteed resolutions for the ISIS problem, but strong advancements in the process.

Monday Matters #1

U.S. Launches New Airstrikes on ISIS to Protect Dam in Iraq

       Over the past few weeks, ISIS militants have been making progress in seizing an important dam on the Euphrates River. As a result the US military has launch airstrikes in an attempt to stop this action. The objective was to prevent ISIS from unleashing floodwaters into Baghdad. The strikes were fired 175 miles from the capital, near the Haditha Dam.
       In other news, the US military has been working with the Iraqi military as the Syria, Iraq border has been disappearing as the Syrian military has been launching airstrikes. These actions were directed towards ISIS, due to ISIS's recent seize of Syrian military outposts. However, the recent raids killed at least 25 people, most of which being civilians.