So far I have not done too much for my semester long project. Things have been busy, and I have put this on the backburner for now. I plan to do many interviews and meetings along the way, and have already called to schedule an interview at the library.
The Huntington Library Board's meetings are every third Tuesday of the month at the main branch. I plan to attend at least one of the meetings to get an idea of what goes on. I will also request some budget information to see where the money is coming from and where it is going.
Saturday, January 29, 2011
Thursday, January 27, 2011
President Focuses on Unity and Progress in State of the Union Address
By Troy Hemingway
President Barack Obama said Americans must stand together and work for the future Tuesday in his State of the Union address.
"We are part of the American family," Obama said. "We believe that in a country where every race and faith and point of view can be found, we are still bound together as one people; that we share common hopes and a common creed;"
A focus on teh future was paramount in the emotional speech, with key topics including jobs, health care, education and the economy.
Obama tackled jobs and the economy at the beginning of his speech. In a previous column, I predicted that those two topics would be a priority in his address, and they certainly were. Obama reminisced about when jobs were abundant and working for a living was easier to accomplish.
Such is not the case in our 2011 job market, and Obama presented a challenge for us to continue to be the most productive workers in the world. "The competition for jobs is real," Obama said. "But this shouldn't discourage us. It should challange us."
The president also said he is open to continuing work on reforming the health care program in thsi country. He said, "anything can be improved" and he is eagerto work towards improving the system. I predicted Obama would address health care because it has been one of the foundations of his tenure in the White House.
Obama called out to Congress, and also to the general public, to move on from the battles that have caused little to no progress over the past two years and focus on fixing what needs fixing and moving forward.
On education, Obama called for Americans to remember a key fact of our educational system that is often overlooked. He said that teachers are to be respected and revered for the work they do each day in the lives of children.
"Let's also remember that after parents, the biggest impact on a child's success comes from the man or woman at the front of the classroom," Obama said. "In South Korea, teachers are known as 'nation builders'. Here in America, it's time we treated the people who educate our children with the same level of respect."
One topic that I failed to predict, but should have known was going to be addressed, is government spending. For years, our government has been spending more money than it has been taking in. Obama used a great comparison to show what we, as a nation, should expect from our government. "Every day, families sacrifice to live within their means," Obama said. "They deserve a government that does the same."
Obama proposed a plan to freeze annual domestic spending for the next five years. Although that sounds like a long-shot, if accomplished, that would be pivotal towards lowering the deficit and solidifying our economic future.
One final part of the address that I predicted was Obama stressing the fact that change will take work. "The idea of America endures," Obama said. "Our destiny remains our choice."
The government creates policy, but the public practices it. Growth and progress can only be achieved through hard work and unity.
Couldn't have said it better myself, Mr. President.
President Barack Obama said Americans must stand together and work for the future Tuesday in his State of the Union address.
"We are part of the American family," Obama said. "We believe that in a country where every race and faith and point of view can be found, we are still bound together as one people; that we share common hopes and a common creed;"
A focus on teh future was paramount in the emotional speech, with key topics including jobs, health care, education and the economy.
Obama tackled jobs and the economy at the beginning of his speech. In a previous column, I predicted that those two topics would be a priority in his address, and they certainly were. Obama reminisced about when jobs were abundant and working for a living was easier to accomplish.
Such is not the case in our 2011 job market, and Obama presented a challenge for us to continue to be the most productive workers in the world. "The competition for jobs is real," Obama said. "But this shouldn't discourage us. It should challange us."
The president also said he is open to continuing work on reforming the health care program in thsi country. He said, "anything can be improved" and he is eagerto work towards improving the system. I predicted Obama would address health care because it has been one of the foundations of his tenure in the White House.
Obama called out to Congress, and also to the general public, to move on from the battles that have caused little to no progress over the past two years and focus on fixing what needs fixing and moving forward.
On education, Obama called for Americans to remember a key fact of our educational system that is often overlooked. He said that teachers are to be respected and revered for the work they do each day in the lives of children.
"Let's also remember that after parents, the biggest impact on a child's success comes from the man or woman at the front of the classroom," Obama said. "In South Korea, teachers are known as 'nation builders'. Here in America, it's time we treated the people who educate our children with the same level of respect."
One topic that I failed to predict, but should have known was going to be addressed, is government spending. For years, our government has been spending more money than it has been taking in. Obama used a great comparison to show what we, as a nation, should expect from our government. "Every day, families sacrifice to live within their means," Obama said. "They deserve a government that does the same."
Obama proposed a plan to freeze annual domestic spending for the next five years. Although that sounds like a long-shot, if accomplished, that would be pivotal towards lowering the deficit and solidifying our economic future.
One final part of the address that I predicted was Obama stressing the fact that change will take work. "The idea of America endures," Obama said. "Our destiny remains our choice."
The government creates policy, but the public practices it. Growth and progress can only be achieved through hard work and unity.
Couldn't have said it better myself, Mr. President.
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Predicting Obama's State of the Union Address
Predicting President Barack Obama’s topics that he will say in his second State of the Union Address should be a piece of cake.
With the issues now affecting the country, it is relatively easy to distinguish the problems and agendas that will be discussed this upcoming Tuesday when he takes the podium. Obama will certainly address issues that have affected our country in the past, and continue to affect our country today.
One such topic that is sure to be discussed is the nation’s unemployment problem. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, the country is facing one of the worst unemployment periods in our history, with over 9% of the country without a job.
Ronald Reagan also faced such a crisis. Although Reagan and Obama are on opposite sides of the fence when it comes to policy and agenda, both faced similar job markets that are near all-time lows. Also, Obama and Reagan had similar approval ratings at this point in their terms. Both were below the 50% line and both were struggling to find an answer. Reagan’s answer came in the form of “Reaganomics”. We have yet to see Obama’s defining answer, but steps towards a resolution will surely be mentioned in this speech.
Another topic that is sure to be outlined is the economy. The economy has been terrible since the end of the Bush administration, and Obama has been working to reverse the problem since he stepped in office. Stimulus packages have helped, but long-term relief is still far in the distance.
Franklin D. Roosevelt also faced an economic crisis. In his State of the Union address in 1934, his main focus was recovering from the Great Depression. Expect Obama’s address to have a heavy focus on trying to recover from an economic crisis of our own.
Obama has also made changes in health care during his first two years as the Chief Executive. Although there have been both positive and negative responses to the changes he has made, one thing is for certain – changes are necessary.
Bill Clinton also made quite a splash when he attempted to reform health care early in his term and the changes were for the better. Clinton was also able to bring positive changes to the struggling economy at the beginning of his term as well.
There is probably no past president that better exemplifies Obama as President John F. Kennedy. They are eerily similar in both personality and politics. Ted Sorensen, Kennedy’s chief speechwriter, probably put it best. “Both Kennedy and Obama have fantastically winning smiles and I might say both are very relaxed in front of an audience and on television," Sorensen said. “They don’t shout into a microphone, they talk.”
That is what Obama needs to do with his address to the country. He needs them to see that he is more than just a politician; he is an American citizen that wants to see the changes he promised as bad as we do. Far too often politicians speak at the public instead of speaking to them.
The issues facing our country today are not issues that will be solved with laws and policies. It will take concerted efforts from the citizens. We have become a society that is far too comfortable with laziness and complacency. Expect Obama to address those opinions and tell the American public to change its course.
Change starts at the top, but in order for successful change, it must be maintained at the bottom.
Thoughts about President Obama's Upcoming State of the Union Address
President Obama's upcoming SOU Address is quickly approaching. Obama is known as a wonderful public speaker, able to grab the attention of the crowd and hold it as he relays his thoughts.
Obama has many similarities to previous President's when it comes to speaking style. The most similar to him however is John F. Kennedy. Kennedy was young, eloquent and most of all, he was different. He brought something to the White House that had never been there before, much the same as Obama has done.
Obama also has similarities with Bill Clinton. Their approval rating was about the same at this point of their terms, with Clinton also dealing with economic troubles and attempting to reform health care.
Surprisingly, you can also find similarities between two presidents on opposite sides of the spectrum as well. Reagan also had some similarities that we can see in Obama, as his approval rating was also in the low 40-percent range, and Reagan also faced a tremendous unemployment struggle. Reagan's term saw an unemployment rate of over 9%, which is about what Obama is facing right now.
Knowing all of these facts, it is pretty easy to predict the issues Obama will addresss in his upcoming speech. The topics of health care, the economy, jobs and our troops overseas are sure to be talked about, with Obama delivering plans in his normal eloquent style.
Obama has many similarities to previous President's when it comes to speaking style. The most similar to him however is John F. Kennedy. Kennedy was young, eloquent and most of all, he was different. He brought something to the White House that had never been there before, much the same as Obama has done.
Obama also has similarities with Bill Clinton. Their approval rating was about the same at this point of their terms, with Clinton also dealing with economic troubles and attempting to reform health care.
Surprisingly, you can also find similarities between two presidents on opposite sides of the spectrum as well. Reagan also had some similarities that we can see in Obama, as his approval rating was also in the low 40-percent range, and Reagan also faced a tremendous unemployment struggle. Reagan's term saw an unemployment rate of over 9%, which is about what Obama is facing right now.
Knowing all of these facts, it is pretty easy to predict the issues Obama will addresss in his upcoming speech. The topics of health care, the economy, jobs and our troops overseas are sure to be talked about, with Obama delivering plans in his normal eloquent style.
Thursday, January 13, 2011
Discussion of Columns and Columnists
Paul Krugman's most recent column is titled "Climate of Hate". The column oultined what Krugman feels was a contributing factor to the atrocity that happened in Arizona last week. Krugman's writing style is very smooth, with seamless transitions and valid reasoning. The column is clearly opinionated, but that is to be expected.
Krugman makes his points known throughout the column, and it is obvious that he is not afraid to step on any toes. The NY Times by all means tends to be more towards the liberal left when it comes to content, and Krugman's column is an example of that. In reading through his three most recent columns, all of them describe what the negative results would be if conservatives or republicans gain seats in Congress or gain any ground in policy. There is nothing wrong with being opinionated, and his writing style throughout the columns makes his opinion easy to identify.
The City Room blog is dedicated to different stories that are happening in and around New York City. The first couple stories talk about the recent crazy winter weather and some of the older stories deal with other events happening within the city.
The Quad is a neat blog that is dedicated entirely to college sports. The stories are mostly related to college football or basketball, and the blog is one that has entertaining and informative content.
The Lede is a news only blog connected with the NY Times. All of the entries deal with different world news stories that you wouldn't find in your average local newspaper. The entries on this blog are also very informative.
Krugman makes his points known throughout the column, and it is obvious that he is not afraid to step on any toes. The NY Times by all means tends to be more towards the liberal left when it comes to content, and Krugman's column is an example of that. In reading through his three most recent columns, all of them describe what the negative results would be if conservatives or republicans gain seats in Congress or gain any ground in policy. There is nothing wrong with being opinionated, and his writing style throughout the columns makes his opinion easy to identify.
The City Room blog is dedicated to different stories that are happening in and around New York City. The first couple stories talk about the recent crazy winter weather and some of the older stories deal with other events happening within the city.
The Quad is a neat blog that is dedicated entirely to college sports. The stories are mostly related to college football or basketball, and the blog is one that has entertaining and informative content.
The Lede is a news only blog connected with the NY Times. All of the entries deal with different world news stories that you wouldn't find in your average local newspaper. The entries on this blog are also very informative.
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