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