...People would usually use the term “American” to refer to someone who simply lives in America, but there is more to this word than just that. When I think of an “American” I think of someone who is free to do just about whatever they want, someone who is patriotic and loves what their country stands for, and someone who has the opportunity to acquire a job and work in order to provide for their family. John McCain explains this idea in his short story, “Veterans Day”. Walt Whitman also backs up this definition up in his poem, “I Hear America Singing”. In “Veterans Day,” the author, John McCain tells us a story about his days in Vietnam. He introduces a fellow named Mike Christian who “didn't wear a pair of shoes until he was 13.” He met Christian at a P.O.W. Prison where they were cellmates along with a group of others. When the soldiers are allowed to receive some care packages Mike Christian gets his hands on some cloth and a bamboo needle and begins sowing an American flag on the inside of his shirt. Eventually, one of the guards finds the flag and Mike is beaten. When he returns from his punishment his eye is almost swollen shut, but he whips out his bamboo needle and starts constructing a new flag all over again. It's easy to see that he takes being an American very seriously and loves his country. This is supported by the quote, “He was making the flag because he knew how important it was for us to be able to pledge allegiance to our flag and country.” And also by McCain...
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...“Tuff” “Tough and tuff are two different words. Tough is the same as rough, tuff means cool, sharp- like a tuff-looking a Mustang or a tuff record. In our neighborhood both are compliments.” I will explain what I think is “tuff” in the book, “tuff” in society, and “tuff” to me. In my opinion “tuff” is a slang term meaning cool, sharp. “Tuff” is similar to other slang words like swag, clean, or lit. Tuff from The Outsiders has many examples. One example was cars such as Mustangs and Corvette Stingrays. The Socs drove tuff, expensive cars. Another example of tuff was the Greasers hair. Their hair was long, slicked back, and covered with grease. Greasers believed their hair was a sign of being tuff. A third example of tuff was family. Family for the Greasers was everything. Johnny did not have a good home life, so the gang was his family. Since Ponyboy’s parents died, his family were his brothers and the gang....
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...v. Johnson, 491 U.S. 397 (1989), was an important decision by the Supreme Court of the United States that invalidated prohibitions on desecrating the American flag enforced in 48 of the 50 states. Justice William Brennan wrote for a five-justice majority in holding that the defendant Gregory Lee Johnson's act of flag burning was protected speech under the First Amendment to the United States Constitution. Gregory Lee "Joey" Johnson, then a member of the Revolutionary Communist Youth Brigade, participated in a political demonstration during the 1984 Republican National Convention in Dallas, Texas. The demonstrators were protesting the policies of the Reagan Administration and of certain companies based in Dallas. They marched through the streets, shouted chants, and held signs outside the offices of several companies. At one point, another demonstrator handed Johnson an American flag stolen from a flagpole outside one of the targeted buildings. When the demonstrators reached Dallas City Hall, Johnson poured kerosene on the flag and set it on fire. During the burning of the flag, demonstrators shouted such phrases as, "America, the red, white, and blue, we spit on you, you stand for plunder, you will go under," and, "Reagan, Mondale, which will it be? Either one means World War III." No one was hurt, but some witnesses to the flag burning said they were extremely offended. Johnson was charged with violating the Texas law that prohibits vandalizing respected objects (desecration...
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...(at Florida State) have been used to create a controversial symbol of power that has produced a racial discrepancy between opposing races taking offense to the mascot used by both schools. In the case of Florida State University, the school has developed a mascot (Chief Osceola) that portrays the American Indian as an aggressive savage. “When Osceola leads the FSU football players onto the field, he signifies armed resistance, bravery, and savagery, and his appearance builds on the prevailing understandings of Indianness that construct Native Americans as aggressive, hostile, and even violent” (King and Springwood [2000], p. 285). This portrayal of savagery is at the heart of the arguments by native Indians to remove their names from colleges using their image as a motivational and war-like incentive. I have never viewed the mascots of colleges as being an offensive form of racial disparity, but this article made me view this issue from the other side and opened my eyes as to why groups of people may be offended by how their name is being represented to the public. For example, I grew up an avid sports fan, but history never really caught my interest. Therefore, my view of the American Indian is distorted from the reality of their true image because I have only seen their name used as rally call for battle in a football or basketball game. King and Springwood (2000) elaborated on this issue by stating, “To characterize the indigenous Seminole people or any other native nation...
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...Case Study 2: I Pledge the Allegiance to the Flag Latarsha S. Dowdell Society, Law, and Government – SOC 205 Dr. Clinton D. Gortney March 9, 2014 America. The land of the free home of the brave. These are the words that are cited when we sing the Star Spangled Banner. This is our song dedicated to our country. The Pledge of Allegiance was cited every morning before school started when I attended. It was our way of giving thanks to those that have fought and died for our freedom. Unfortunately, somewhere down the line, citing the Pledge of Allegiance became a political and religious issue. In this paper, I will summarize the points of the Supreme Court case Elk Grove Unified School District v. Newdow. I will also discuss the levels of the court through which the case evolved before it reached the Supreme Court. Next, I will briefly explain the decision of the Supreme Court and explain the fundamental impact that the court decision in question has had on American society in general and on ethics in American society in particular. Then, I will discuss whether I believe that the recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance is a religious issue or a sign of respect for the United States. Finally, I will discuss whether or not I think public schools should be allowed to recite the pledge. In schools, children need to understand the importance of freedom and what it means to be patriotic in America. In doing so, every morning teachers lead their...
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...Military in the Public Eye The United States military has had its ups and downs in popularity with the American public. In World War II, America couldn’t get enough of its soldiers, marines, sailors and airmen. However, during Vietnam, the American public equated its soldiers with the government and the unpopular war. Soldiers were treated with disrespect when they came home, and they were called things such as “baby killers”. Ironically, many of the soldiers during that era were drafted and did not support the war either, but the general public didn’t seem to care. Today, I think the public is back to the days of World War II in terms of support for its troops. This support is shown in many different ways, but I would like to focus on just three visual aspects: symbols, images, and cartoons. The first approach I would like to explore is the use of signs and symbols. According to Berger (2008), “a sign … is anything that stands for something else” (p. 49). He then goes on to explain the three different types of signs: icons, indexes, and symbols. Berger (2008) defines a symbol is something that conventionally means what it represents. There is no logical connection; you must learn the meaning. Several examples include Christianity’s cross, and the Jewish symbol of the Star of David. Automatically the first symbol that comes to mind that shows support for American troops is the yellow ribbon. This symbol can be found on bumper stickers, magnets, tied around trees...
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...The Pledge of Allegiance Essay What is the Pledge of Allegiance? The Pledge of Allegiance is kind of like a promise that we will support and stay true to our country. In the next couple paragraphs I will explain the how I feel about the Pledge of Allegiance, what I think about the phrase, “under God”, and what I think about people who choose not to say the Pledge of Allegiance. I think it is good that we say the Pledge of Allegiance everyday. One reason is it helps remind us of our country, our freedom, and our rights. In the Pledge of Allegiance it says, “…one Nation.” When we say the pledge it reminds us that we are one nation and we should think of everyone as a whole. It also says, “…indivisible, with liberty and justice for all,” it is saying...
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...My American Identity The five key values that were studied and learned about in class were civic engagement, freedom, equality, patriotism and democracy. I do not believe that one of these values is more American than the other though three of these mean more to me personally than others. Patriotism, freedom, and equality. Together they make the United States of America unique from any other country. Yes, some countries have freedom, but no other country in the world is like ours because we hold these values nearest and dearest to us; at least most of us do. These five values are the values that we strive for in perfecting to make us so great. Some are more rounded than others but they are all what makes the United States so unique. I decided to chose was patriotism as one of the values that describes me as an American because I feel like no matter what the situation is in America, every American should be patriotic. Not saying that a person has to be a die hard patriotic person and willing to take a bullet for his, or her country, but one should love their country, not the government for say. I feel like patriotism defines who I am as an American because of the support and respect I have for my country, even though I do feel like there are flaws all throughout this country and it’s history, I still stand up and by my country. I decided to do my part and show my love and devotion for this country by joining the military and enlisting this past February. The...
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...can cause chaos and violence. He goes on to state that the treatment in every country is a sensitive area, they are for what they wear, their sexuality, their desires. Two accounts are recorded by two women’s encounter with the hijab, Chadiedja Buijs and Norma Moore, an Egyptian and an American. Chadiedja, adopted the hijab, at the age of nineteen, and her mother confronted her saying, “I left my country so that you could be free and this is what freedom did?” Chadieja admits to having spiritual problems and feeling as though she was too controlling. She goes on to say that adopting the hijab and the religion attached to it helped her to straighten out her life, she fasted and became devoted. “The hijab is a matter of representation. I know the person I am and the ideas I have. But the person in front of me only sees the...
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...movies based on real life such as Documentaries and Biographies, and for this specific assignment I chose to write about the film “Not Without my Daughter” which portrays the true story of Betty Mahmoody, played by Sally Field and her daughter Mahtob, played by Sheila Rosenthal, and their brave and heroic escape from Iran and her abusive husband and father Sayed (Moody) Mahmoody, played by Alfred Molina. If the title of this movie hasn’t already given you an idea of what this movie is about then you’re in for a perplexing and frustrating ride of your life. “Not Without my Daughter” made its debut in 1991 during the raid of the US embassy in Iran, which caused a lot of controversy due to the graphic and misrepresentation of the Muslim faith and the Iranian culture, and with that being said I believe it had many flaws. But, before I go any further I am going to take this opportunity and give you a very brief and short summary about the plot of this movie to help you understand what it is I mean about this film being “flawed”. Moody (Molina) was a successful physician specializing in anesthesia who lived with his family in Michigan. One day while he was home with his family he suggested to his wife (Field) that he would like to take a family vacation to Iran so that his family can meet her and their six year old daughter Mahtob (Rosenthal). Despite Betty’s (Field) deep fears about visiting Iran especially due to the Iranian Hostage Crisis she reluctantly...
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...relating to businesses that is on the brink of failure. By implementing his ideal, the author believes your company will survive, along with great rewards in the future. The book starts off in chapter 1 by introducing himself and his company, American Management Services, they have been working for decades to help save Main Street Businesses. The truth at the beginning of the chapter is YOU’RE the fault for your business failures, do not blame recession for your failure, you are the ultimate factor in determining your businesses survival. You must challenge yourself constantly in order to set the tone of the top. This means coming in on Saturdays, or Sundays to work instead of fishing or golfing. No one should know about your financials better than yourself. Keep on task with every details relating to payrolls, expenditures over certain amounts, approve checks going out, etc. These things must be constantly imbedded in order to have a successful business. The chapter also pinpoints another important factor, “Profits Aren’t Everything, They’re the only thing.” You need to do everything you can to let Profits be positive even if that means firing your family members, or incompetent employees. To ensure survival you must be what the author likes to call “ruthless.” Setting the tone of tough, but fair leader will better you in the long wrong. Another ideal the author has embedded in his book is cash is everything, a small...
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...Partly narrated by Steve McKenzie, he described his experience with the Regal Carnation Hotel. In his description of the situation, the “me too” approach to hotel management led to poor service, false representation, and a pricing plan that does not match the value of the hotel. The hotel industry in Guam has important statistical information that will lead to an effective analysis. Over a period of years, Guam has experienced a boost to its tourism industry. The year 1967 was the beginning of that upward trend. that includes support from the United States. However, the decline of the Japanese economy in the 1900’s and onward severely damaged the economy of Guam. How many of us can attest to looking up a product or service online, seeing its respective pictures, only to find out that the actual product is dissimilar to the original picture? The excess room inventory in the hotel industry paired with the decline in the general tourism of Guam could only lead to failure. In other words, supply greatly outnumbered demand. Additionally, applying a “Me-too” approach to hotel operations in such conditions can have limited success. Research has shown that piggy backing on others in the industry can often lead to failure, because companies employing this tactic rarely see the need to differentiate with a product or service. It can be assumed that a “me too” company’s sole intention is to capitalize on the success of another company and the upward trend of a fad. McKenzie clearly observed...
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...Partly narrated by Steve McKenzie, he described his experience with the Regal Carnation Hotel. In his description of the situation, the “me too” approach to hotel management led to poor service, false representation, and a pricing plan that does not match the value of the hotel. The hotel industry in Guam has important statistical information that will lead to an effective analysis. Over a period of years, Guam has experienced a boost to its tourism industry. The year 1967 was the beginning of that upward trend. that includes support from the United States. However, the decline of the Japanese economy in the 1900’s and onward severely damaged the economy of Guam. How many of us can attest to looking up a product or service online, seeing its respective pictures, only to find out that the actual product is dissimilar to the original picture? The excess room inventory in the hotel industry paired with the decline in the general tourism of Guam could only lead to failure. In other words, supply greatly outnumbered demand. Additionally, applying a “Me-too” approach to hotel operations in such conditions can have limited success. Research has shown that piggy backing on others in the industry can often lead to failure, because companies employing this tactic rarely see the need to differentiate with a product or service. It can be assumed that a “me too” company’s sole intention is to capitalize on the success of another company and the upward trend of a fad. McKenzie clearly observed...
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...Midterm Exam (Writing Part) Chapter one: What is communication? Communication is a process where someone is experiences behavior and attribute to that behavior. Communication does not mean necessarily speaking to someone and listening. Communication has a lot of elements to it, there isn’t just one type there are many. One type is Dyadic which is when the communicating is between two people one on one. Communication is also online such as speaking to one another throughout the internet and meeting new people from other states, and countries. Communication distribution can be cause by anything such as text messages, noise, or things in the background of the person you are speaking too. Feedback is an important part of communication, the way you use feedback can determine if you helped the person or gave he or she negative feedback which will make them act differently because of what was said. Communication cannot be taken back, what was said can’t be reversed and it will be permanently said and it depends on how the other person takes it, that will either make them very happy or terribly sad. I personally did not know there were different types of communication and that it has a lot of factors. Culture is one of those ways it is affected, culture is a factor because there are words that are said and meant differently in every language they do not always mean the same exact thing. Also, I knew saying things were irreversible but I didn’t think saying something wrong will affect...
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...First Amendment Research Paper: Freedom of Speech During the time the Constitution was being written, freedom of speech was mainly focused on political speech. People wanted the opportunity to express their ideas and opinions about the government without being reprimanded or unheard. People feared that if the government was able to censor unfavorable viewpoints, they would eventually form a politically powerful population and oppress those who did not share the same mindset. Along with concerns about political speech, freedom of religious speech was a common desire. Previous incidents in English and Colonial history had occurred where certain religious views were prohibited and the people wanted to make sure that they were safe from the government’s restrictions. During his speech to the First Congress on June 8, 1789, James Madison proposed the Freedom of Speech idea to congress. He included several amendments that specifically addressed the concerns of Anti-Federalists that certain rights were not strongly protected by the Constitution. Madison said in his speech, “The people shall not be deprived or abridged of their right to speak, to write, or to publish their sentiments.” Congress agreed with this idea and it became part of the first amendment. Madison continued with, “No state shall violate the equal rights of conscience, or of the press.” Congress did not like this and thought that only the federal government should be prohibited from restricting certain rights,...
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