Response #3: Left of Center Politics: The Long Road to Change

Philip Oliver Roibas Sharkey

Eng 102 – J010 Michael Benton

Left of Center Politics: The Long Road to Change

The introduction to Dale Maharidge’s Someplace like America, depicts the book as a people’s history of the current economic recession and what has led to it;  ultimately suggesting that America will eventually recover from this depression by moving towards an economic system that, although the article never says this directly, is more leftist. It will be the intention of this response, to discuss the ways in which this is a fallacy.

            The United States has had a long lived inclination towards right of center politics. This is evident not only because “There have been 18 Republican presidents and 14 Democratic presidents,” (www.wisegeek.com) but by the general American assumption that the Democratic Party is leftist; when nearly everywhere else in the world they are considered centrist. In fact, many (including myself) would argue that America is missing a leftist party.

            Most Republicans want to limit the size of the government, claiming that it would lead to more personal freedom for Americans. The problem with that concept is that they are not trying to limit the laws that inhibit such liberties.  The most logical reasoning behind this move, would be that it would give their party and the elite among their constituency more power; by, for example, limiting governmental influence over the economy.  Reducing the size of government alone, could not possibly lead to the changes they claim they are trying to entice.

            How then, is it possible that the masses are motivated to vote for such a party?  I figure that it is not entirely because they agree, or even truly understand, the economic views of the party; but, are motivated to vote for them based on their social beliefs. (Take for example, that most republicans are Christian, pro-life and anti-homosexual.)  For some reason I cannot fathom, many people believe that these are the most pressing concerns for America and her welfare. Obviously, with our tanking economy, this is not the case.

            It is suggested in ‘Someplace like America’, that “We… will begin the long process of rebuilding an economy that works for everyone, but this can happen only if we relearn some lessons about caring for and relying on one another. And relearn we will, for we have no other choice.” (Maharidge 7)  The fundamental flaw in this premise is that it suggests that America will in fact rebuild its economy.  I believe that if this were to happen, it would not be for at least another decade; America has a long way to go before it hits rock bottom and I postulate that only then will its citizenry be pushed towards changing its economic principles towards something more leftist, as this quote suggests.

            Perhaps the most candid aspect of this quote is that America does indeed have a choice, as is evident in the ways we got here in the first place. Living in a democracy should allow us to make the political decisions that will better our country. Instead we decide to do the same thing over and over again in the hopes that it will lead to different results; this is insanity. Especially, because the changes we have made over the past few decades have pushed us in the opposite direction of every other developed country.  Why is it that we are one of the most developed countries without universal health care?  Why do we not offer equal rights to all of our citizens?  Why do we not try to better the lives of the people living in the lowest income levels?

            The culmination of this evidence and these principles, leads me to believe that not only is United States not going down the path towards becoming a more leftist state that cares for its people, but that we are going in the opposite direction entirely.  I hope that the optimistic view of where our country is going, that is made in Someplace Like America, will come into place; but I do not see how it is possible.

Works Cited

"In the US, Have There Been More Democrat or Republican Presidents?" WiseGEEK: Clear Answers for Common Questions. Web. 29 Aug. 2011. <http://www.wisegeek.com/in-the-us-have-there-been-more-democrat-or-republican-presidents.htm>.

Maharidge, Dale, and Michael Williamson. "Someplace Like America An Introduction." Introduction. Someplace like America: Tales from the New Great Depression. Berkeley: University of California, 2011. Ix-10. Print.

All other information provided is taken from personal experience and prior education.

Response #2: Gender Stereotyping in the World of DC Comics

Philip Oliver Sharkey

Eng 102 – J010 Michael Benton

Gender Stereotyping in the World of DC Comics

Due: August 24, 2011

When reading Jefferson’s article If Male Superheroes Posed Like Wonder Woman, three things come to mind. First, is the article’s lacking in the discussion of the DC Universe as a canon of art or as a proportion system. Then, there is the issue of how it fails to discuss the other gender stereotypes in the world of DC Comics and the audience of the comics.

            The Ancient Egyptian system of proportion was maintained for hundreds of years; although the artists creating the works of art over that period of time could have advanced it, they kept it the same out of tradition and to keep the depiction of gods and pharaohs common place and easily recognizable. “This system could be adjusted to any scale, from statuettes to colossal works such as the Giza sphinx, ensuring exact proportions for each.” (Adams 94)  With this in mind, it is not too difficult to see why DC would want to keep the same canon after a period of “over 70 years.” (Sims)  

The last thing DC would want to do is change the artistic portrayal of their most popular characters; as such changes could have potentially damaging effects on the company.  Even if the canon is gender-typical to the point of being sexist; there are not enough reasons to change the canon, because it could lead to the loss of its following.  A company is not going to take the risk of losing profit because people outside of their intended audience disapprove of its message to society. If that were the case, J. K. Rowling would have stopped writing the Harry Potter series because of the Christian backlash against it.

What could perhaps be the most interesting aspect of this article is how although it is so vocal in its concern for the way women are depicted in this art form, it fails to discuss the depiction of male characters and how they also promote gender stereotyping.  While the female characters are over-sexualized, the male characters are overly masculinized. No man, however masculine he may be, can live up to the standards the DC Universe sets. Simply put, no one could take the monstrous amounts of steroids required to look like a Superhero and function at the emotional and intellectual level most DC Superheroes do.  Everything is exaggerated in comics, from sexuality to violence, if it was not it would not be more entertaining than real life.

DC’s “target audience are men age 18 to 34.” (Johnston) Another aspect of the targeted audience is their nationality.  Since DC is an American company that mostly markets to people in North America, where we are still significantly behind in gender equality, it makes sense that they would promote the same gender conventions as popular American culture. 

The difference is how dramatic the stereotypes in comics are, this however is mostly due to the nature of the art form in general as opposed to the comics DC produces in particular.  All comics are ‘larger than life’ in some way or another; they are probably the most commercially successful visual works of art, outside of the film industry, and art is supposed to cause opinion and conversation.  If everyone has the same opinion on a work of art, it shows the lack of value in the wok.  In conclusion, although DC Comics undoubtedly depict women in an overly-sexual way, that is only one of the ways in which people could find them offensive and it is a part of their job, as works of art, to cause people to have differences of opinion.

 

Works Cited

Adams, Laurie S. "Ancient Egypt: The Egyptian System of Proportion." Art across Time. 3rd ed. Vol. 1. Boston: McGraw-Hill, 2007. 94. Print.

Jefferson, Whitney. "If Male Superheroes Posed Like Wonder Woman." Jezebel: Celebrity, Sex, Fashion for Women. Without Airbrushing. Http://www.bleedingcool.com, 9 Aug. 2011. Web. 23 Aug. 2011. <http://jezebel.com/5829204/if-male-superheroes-posed-like-wonder-woman>.

Johnston, Richard. "DC Roadshow Hits Dallas – Million Dollar Ad Spend, Justice League Beyond And Black People Bleeding Cool Comic Book, Movies and TV News and Rumors." Bleeding Cool Comic Book, Movies and TV News and Rumors. Http://www.bleedingcool.com, 21 June 2011. Web. 23 Aug. 2011. <http://www.bleedingcool.com/2011/06/21/dc-roadshow-hits-dallas-million-dollar-ad-spend-justice-league-beyond-and-black-people/>.

Sims, Chris. "Time and Time Again: The Complete History of DC's Retcons and Reboots - ComicsAlliance | Comic Book Culture, News, Humor, Commentary, and Reviews." ComicsAlliance | Comics Culture, News, Humor, Commentary, and Reviews. Http://www.comicsalliance.com, 8 June 2011. Web. 23 Aug. 2011. <http://www.comicsalliance.com/2011/06/08/dc-comics-reboot-history/>.

"Statistics on Discrimination of Women | P.a.p.-Blog | Human Rights Etc." P.a.p.-Blog | Human Rights Etc. | Human Rights Looked at from Various Perspectives: Politics, Art, Philosophy (hence P.a.p.), Law, Economics, Statistics, Psychology Etc. Web. 23 Aug. 2011. <http://filipspagnoli.wordpress.com/stats-on-human-rights/statistics-on-discrimination/statistics-on-discrimination-of-women/#2>.

Response #1: Computer Hacking and Hacktivism in Contemporary Society

Philip Oliver Roibas Sharkey

ENG – J010 Michael D. Benton

Computer Hacking and Hacktivism in Contemporary Society

            The noun hacker is an ambiguous term which covers a long range of definitions.  For the purpose of this essay we will be examining the illegal hacking of secure computing programs for information. We will be doing so, to try to observe whether or not its use has been detrimental to society, or if it has led to progress; my personal belief is the latter.

            Today the world of computer hacking is larger than it has ever been, which is why it is so difficult to make generalizations in your opinion of it.  No one who understands the full utility of hacking could possess an entirely negative or positive view on the matter.  It has lead to some of the greatest advancements in technology and the social questions of our age, including the internet and the question of at which point hacking transcends our universally negative views of stealing and becomes a question of freedom. Personally I’m against hackings use as a means of personal economic improvement, but I can respect one’s desire to understand the world around them from the perspective secret government and corporate information provides.

            Until stolen information was recently released by Wikileaks, involving the extent to which some Iraqi captives were tortured, many Americans believed that no torturous activities were practiced on these individuals other than water boarding.  “At the torturer's whim, the logs reveal, the victim can be hung by his wrists or by his ankles; knotted up in stress positions; sexually molested or raped; tormented with hot peppers, cigarettes, acid, pliers or boiling water – and always with little fear of retribution since, far more often than not, if the Iraqi official is assaulting an Iraqi civilian, no further investigation will be required.” (Davies)  Obviously, water boarding (as shocking as it may be to some Americans) is only the tip of the iceberg.

            What is it about this information specifically, that could potentially lead to the endangerment of American troops operating in the Middle East?  In my opinion, it cannot.  That is not to say that an organization like Wikileaks does not have the potential to release information that could negatively affect the war on terror only that not all of it already has.  Living in a ‘free’ country should give us the privilege to view this information without it being stolen from the government, only the government refuses to release it on their own terms.

            In today’s political climate we must ask ourselves, if granting the government the power to hide so much information from the public is in the country’s best interests. There are undoubtedly copious amounts of information that should be kept secret, for the safety of America and her interests, but perhaps it should not be entirely up to a government to decide what should and should not be kept hidden. Although, that would lead us to questioning who should have the power to decide what the public should have access to, if not the government.

            These questions will certainly lead to the progress of our nation, regardless of how we answer them.  Much as hacking led to technological advancements in the decades after it’s inception, it is now shaping our social and political beliefs.  It is allowing us to question what we believe ethically and is helping lead us down the path of globalization, the ultimate form of advancement.  In conclusion, although computer hacking can be utilized for negative purposes, I believe that it will ultimately only lead to the betterment of not only our country but humanity itself.  

Works Cited

Davies, Nick. "Iraq War Logs: Secret Order That Let US Ignore Abuse | World News | 

    Guardian.co.uk." Editorial. Latest News, Comment and Reviews from the Guardian |

    Guardian.co.uk. 22 Oct. 2010. Web. 21 Aug. 2011.

    <http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/oct/22/iraq-detainee-abuse-torture-    

    saddam>.

Political Compass Test

An Introduction

Where are you from?
       I was born in the capital of Canada, Ottawa.  I moved to Lexington, Kentucky when I was four and a half; following my parents, who moved for better employment opportunities.
What is your experience with writing/English?
       Other than my English education, I keep a diary, use many forms of social networking and I have been known to attempt to write poetry.
What do you believe in? (Political/Social/Religious Beliefs)
       Politics - Economically socialist, socially a libertarian; I believe that for a society to be truly free, it can't have corporate influence and that government has no place in dictating how people should choose to live their lives. I am also strongly against the use of religion in politics.
       Religion - I am what I like to call a contemporary western transcendentalist.  I believe that many religious writings offer insight towards ultimate spiritual enlightenment but I don’t see many uses in organized religion, other than community.
What Kind of popular culture do you consume?
Music - See Playlist.
Film - I'm a film junkie, I haven't seen many movies I dislike.  I don't really see film like most people do.  I see it as a means to project ideas, not a form of entertainment, entertainment is merely a side-effect. 
News -  Le Monde Diplomatique (English Edition), MSNBC, BBC, and Fox News (I believe it is necessary to, almost religiously, follow your enemy!).
Literature by Author - J.D. Salinger, Nathaniel Hawthorne, J. K. Rowling, Hermann Hesse, Augusten Burroughs and a variety of non-fiction.
Why are you in College?
       My general interest in education has always been deeply motivated by my parents. Not only do they both regard knowledge as one of the most fundamentally important gifts to humanity, but my father also teaches at the post-secondary level.
       I believe that knowledge is one of the most powerful tools a human can easily acquire, one that is endlessly useful, much like duct tape!  This belief has led my life-long search for knowledge, a growing hunger that is fueled on a daily basis by the introduction of new and exciting memes.
       Although my college education will undoubtedly allow me to make more money over my life time and help me obtain a better a better career, these seem to be the least attractive qualities it holds to me.  This may stem from my coming from a family that is fairly well off; it may be more difficult for me to appreciate poverty, since I do not struggle with it on a day to day basis.
       I think the largest drawing points education holds to me, come more from my general interest in life and a desire to learn as much as possible and use the knowledge I obtain over my life to positively influence as many people as possible.