Some Brilliant Title

Ok, the rhetorical activities asked you to write an analysis on an article that you find in the community news paper. They specifically said to look for this article in the editorial page, and I found a weird one. The book prompts you to ask yourself all sorts of scholarly questions about this article you are reading and find determine the sasis of the argument. In Latin, the term stasis means “stand”, in the terms that you have a stand on an issue. According to the book, stasis can be thought of as equilibrium of reason. The idea of stasis has been jarred around with argument so much that it has a dirty name. Stasis is an issue that is deeper than it appears at first glance. The article I read is a perfect example.

My article sounds more like some one had a bad day. This article takes place in a familiar rhetorical situation, his office. An author gets on to the computer and decided to rant about his co-worker. I personally don’t think the author went about it the right way. His thesis was that people were ruining his job. In the article, he jumps into the issue and does not have any copia, instead he seems to tiptoe around details until he finds himself able to elaborate on his opinions. He seems to be attacking these people, without bothering to make sense. He complains about people he works with, and he calls them “busybodies”. He nags about these busybodies and how they have ruined a lot for him. He lacks evidence, poise, and most importantly, conviction. He sounds like a fast talking teenager with kairos problems.

He must have had a few bad days because he writes about it to the Pueblo Chiften! This well known news paper is seen by many in the Pueblo community. The tone of this article and publicity it’s getting shows that this man was treated badly and he wants to fight back. I feel that his is fighting back on a good war, he is taking action against a social norm that haunts us all. I feel that he is fighting what many fight everyday. Acceptance and fellowship are all things we need and desire, and when people don’t get it, they take actions, just like in this morning’s article.

The man writing this article is merely writing from emotion, nothing more. It sounds like he had a bad day (like we all do) and its dealing with it in his own way. Could he have worded it better? Who knows, the bottom line is it makes him feel better. This assignment has made me realize that the everyday issues are often times a part of a very large stasis picture. The small things annoy us, we forgive them, but we have to realize that we all feel that same pressure. I guess we all find our own ways.

The simple saying by Isocrates

"The root of education is bitter, but sweet are its fruits"-Isocrates

Isocrates is the man. A simple sentence can describe so much, if said by the right people. Isocrates knows how to admire art. He shows his composure while he delivers ground braking ideas. On the other hand he doesn't lack charisma or energy while saying such great things.

Once faced with the begining of education, a student undergoes many obstacles. Sometimes those obstacles can set a person so far down that it could ruin a person. Isocrates gives hope and light into his readers. He promises light at the end of the tunnel. The great thinker Isocrates gives us hope that we are all in this for a reason. With his simple quote he frees us from all doubt when he says "sweet are its fruits".

One must ask, why would Isocrates tell us about education? Why would he even bring up that the root of education is a negative thing? Couldn't he just say that education is wonderful and that's that? I believe that Isocrates knows better. I think he knows what it is like without an education. Thinking about Isocrates, im sure he had an extremely different kairos than I have today, but how much does that make us different? He is trying to make sense of the world while I am looking for a road that's paved. My point is, he knows what its like to live in a normal society. Before he got famous, he was making a living doing what he could. This is why he said this quote. This is why he gives it to us straight. I think Isocrates knew how to talk to us, and then promise a bright future.

On the other hand, education is found in many different places. I learned how to read graffiti by walking the streets of Denver. I learned that not everyone thinks farts are as funny as I do while ridding public transportation. So don't believe that someone that hasn't graduated high school is dumb for one minute, because before you know it you will be stuck in some place you can't get out of either and your whole world will turned upside down.

Let me bring your attention to my dad. He drooped out of college the first year he got there. Ever since he has been scrounging around looking for work. As a young adult he picked up a hammer started working in construction. He had horrible hours, cold winters hot summers, all the while pounding away at nails in wood. My dad, Andy has been doing this for years now, and it is starting to catch up to him. His aces and pains are hard for even me to sit through, and his face plasters over with sweat and hard work. Some might say he is uneducated and therefore cannot teach anything. But they are wrong. My dad has taught me value, respect, love, integrity and honesty. He has made me into the man I am today and I am truly greatful for that.

Isocrates was dead on with his quote. I believe that I have lived through some of the bitterness that education has to offer, and I have tasted some of the sweetness that comes with education too. One great testimony that proves Isocrates point about preserverance is Nike. Nike is a clothing complany that has there own saying that is even simpler that Isocrates's saying. Just Do It. Simple. Like Isocrates, Nike is saying its going to be hard, but at the end there will be reward.

So, congratulations Isocrates, you have a timeless quote. It is timeless because of its truth. Looking on his ideas of perseverance and reward, the ideas will remain. Education will continue, and its all summed up nicley by my my man Isocrates.

Kindness 101

4.
The shattering of glass, the crumbling of concrete, the screams of frightened people. These sounds where heard, and lives were lost last week. On Tuesday, January 12, 2010 Haiti was hit by a massive earthquake. Many people went from carrying on an average day to complete devastation within minutes. Although the earthquake hit many miles away, the whole world has felt its aftershock. In kindness 101, it is known that people should give a helping hand when ever possible. People in Haiti need our help. Any contributions are helpful, and greatly appreciated. Log on to MSNBC.com and donate

I am a sophomore at Colorado State University Pueblo. I am studying business at the Hasan School Of Business and minoring in English. School is going well and I'm loving every minute of it!