TOW #3- Trapped in the System: A Sick Doctor’s Story

The idea of universal access to healthcare has been a buzzing topic within the United States. With the Affordable Care Act and the push to provide cheaper medication, the current system has recently made greats strides. Yet, despite these improvements, access to these services has remained stagnant. From the unique perspective of a doctor, the New York Times article Trapped in the System: A Sick Doctor’s Story, attempts to shed light on the flaws of the new health system. 

The author, Dr. Aaron E. Carroll describes the system from both a doctor viewpoint, as well as a patient. Within the column, he describes his own experience with ulcerative colitis, and his attempts to get his medication.  He describes the rigamoral he goes through every three months by using repetition. “In order to get more, I need a new prescription. In order to get the prescription, I need to have lab testing to prove to my doctor that I don’t have anemia. This all sounds simple, and it’s the same process every three months. But it’s never the same, and it’s never easy.” This arduous, and overly complex ritual he goes through in order to get his critical medicine shows how broken the system is. As the article continues on, Dr. Carroll tells us about his monthly blood test and how, “because the laboratory and my doctor are in completely different health care systems, the lab results won’t show up in my doctor’s electronic database.” Later, he openly tells the reader about his condition, and makes funny commentary about his incessant need to use the bathroom and his ability, “to make use of my babies’ diapers in cases of emergencies.” By masterfully using anecdotes, Dr. Carroll successfully able to highlight the struggle for his different health providers to work in cohesion, as well as make him a credible patient.

By the end of the article, even those who haven’t had the need to receive medication can sympathize with the long tedious process both Dr. Carroll and millions go through. Even with his expansion knowledge about the health care, he himself stills has lots of trouble navigating a simple refilling of his medication. It proves as tribute to where the United States was in terms of medical services, as well as where it needs to i   

TOW #2- Rosie the Riveter

 The embodiment of Americans wartime propaganda, “Rosie the Riveter” was the star of the government campaign aimed at recruiting female workers for the military industry. Maybe the most iconic image of workingwomen during the war, the cartoon was initially drawn by Saturday Evening Post cover artist, Norman Rockwell, but would later be redrawn with the phrase “We Can Do It” in 1942 by Pittsburgh artist J. Howard Miller. Hired by the Westinghouse Company’s War Production Coordinating Committee, he was assigned to create a series of posters for the war effort. The munitions and aviation industry heavily needed to recruited women workers, and used “Rosie the Riveter” propaganda campaign to dramatically increase their employment rates.

Based in small part on a real-life munitions worker, but primarily a fictitious character, the strong, yet feminine bandanna-clad Rosie was an example to women during the era. Contrary to what most people would believe a factory worker to look like, Rosie was both tough, and attractive; she had piercing blue eyes, clean attire, sculpted features, and manicured hands. By portraying her as both feminine and yet independent, she embodied the ideal American women. The bright background and the blush cheeks made the poster stand out and created a sense of energy. This use of vibrant imagery combined with Rosie’s ideal physique made the audience want to be her, and lead to the belief that by joining the munitions workforce, they themselves would become as equally beautiful and powerful as Rosie was.

The advertisement also coined the phrase, “We Can Do It!” The use of the word “We” along with Rosie’s direct eye contact established a connection between both her and her audience. It’s as if she is essentially saying that only together, we as a country can accomplish this task. This call to arms also implies that those who are not currently helping are not fulfilling their patriotic duty.

All in all, The Rosie the Riveter campaign stressed the patriotic need for women to enter the work force. Like most successful propaganda, Miller effectively used the ideas of imagery and inclusion to reach out to women in a time of uncertainty.

TOW #1- Article "Disrespecting the Oval Office"

Throughout history, the difference chambers of office have seldom agreed with one another. With rising tensions between the U.S, Isreal, and Iran, Republican senators have signed a letter warning the Iranian government informing them that any deal reached between the two countries could be easily reversed by the next president. Not only did these startle Iranian officials, but also caused massive controversy from both from Democrats and Republicans whose offices have signed the letter. There is also the some trepidation now that the Iran letter injects partisanship into the Iran negotiations, shifting the focus from the content of the deal to whether Republicans are unfairly trying to undermine the president.

In the article written by Susan Milligan through the established publication, US NEWS, Milligan supported a viewpoint learning heavily towards the opposition of the republicans actions, and used rhetoric tools to paint the senators in an unfavorable light.

Within the article, Milligan uses words with strong conations as to establish pathos with the audience.  In one sentence alone she sums the letter up as a threat, saying it was the Republicans way of saying, “Sign what you want, you Axis-of-Evil member, but don’t be so sure Congress or the next president won’t impose new sanctions on you anyway. By utilizing the phrase, “Axis-of-Evil” and an overall vicarious tone, Milligan creates the image that the republicans are ignorant and callous.

In theme with her disproval of the republican senators actions, Milligan also uses quotes from well-established members of both parties as a way to show the controversy and establish credibility. She uses a plethora of statements made from influential senators, ranging from Dianne Feinstein to the current Vice President Joe Biden. The statements she included all pointed to the fallacy within the letter, claiming that the missive was “beneath the dignity of the institution.” By using quotes from both parties, she creates an authority on the topic many of us aren't aware of.  

In such matters like politics, it is up to journalist to sway the public and reveal information critical for the formation of a well-balanced understanding. Milligan successful champions her beliefs about the Iran letter, and does so successfully by manipulating ethos and pathos. By the end of the article, the audience is forced to question not only the politicians, but also the overall choices they make on behalf of all of us.

Source- http://www.usnews.com/news/articles/2015/03/16/senators-iran-letter-shows-deteriorating-respect-for-the-oval-office

IRB Intro Post #1

For my independent reading book, I have decided to read, "Let's Explore Diabetes with Owls." The author, David Sedaris is considered the leading American humorist of this era, and has written countless bestselling essays. I am excited to read this book due to its wacky observations and candid tone. In light of the fact I typically read classic novels and historical accounts, I want to try something more lighthearted and unexpected. I already read one of his essays this summer, Me Talk Pretty One Day, and can't wait to see how this book compares.