Values of AE Clothing

American Eagle outfitters is a brand of clothing that competes with the like of Abercrombie & Fitch and Hollister. The brand is quite unkown I think in the UK, it has no stores in the here unlike Abercrombie & Fitch and more recently Hollister, as a result it is not as well known commercially as its competitors are.
All three brands have their stores sell the brand in a similar way, by using music, smell to attract customers. They also do not label their stores in attempt to make passers by more curious of what inside. All marketing techniques.However American Eagle has different ways or different values and also relates to American identity in terms of prosperity and poverty.
Its relation to poverty is down to the fact that it prides itself on being luxurious affordable fashion wear, which it also uses against A&F or Hol.co to be competative. Being cheaper it attracts those who are not as well off, and gives more people freedom of choice, freedom of expression.
If American Eagle is competative and popular then it is related to prosperity. As previously mentioned AE sell their brand using the label "Luxurious" along with A&F or Hol.co so they are considered by the public to be so, whilst still being cheaper.
American Eagle plays mostly on the Value of Freedom so closely associated with American identity. The AE logo is "Live Your Life" what they are saying is liv your life and have fun but do it wearing American Eagle and you can live it better, free'er, more often and have a trillion times more fun.

An apple in Nike's hand

I chose Apple & Nike . I think this is a sort of cultural symbol of the United States.

Apple , it is a fruit make people become wise. In the United States, Apple has become synonymous with high-tech. Recently, Apple has launched a new magic mouse.


Here is another symbol of America, Nike. Just like the name, the meaning of victory. And advertisements of Nike are also mean of 'value'.

American Values - Michael Jordan

This is a video of Michael Jordan's 'Be legendary campaign'.
I think the video can be tied with striving for the American Dream and I think this can even be seen in the title 'Be legendary' and the words 'look me in the eyes, i'm scared of what i wont become'. It shows the values of the American Dream for American people and how apparent it is even in modern society to try and become successful in what they do. I think it uses very powerful marketing ploys for Jordan label and by buying into the Jordan brand you're buying into the American Dream of becoming 'Legendary'.

LoveTrain

I chose this advert as it is christmas now and is one of my favourite adverts. I think that the advert is sending out a message to the world as well as advertising the product. At the beginning of the advert it says 'give stripes' which could be seen as a telling the world to give love by giving someone a present at christmas to show them they are loved. The song used for the advert uses the lyrics 'People all over the world, join hands, start a lovetrain, lovetrain', the message that is given out by these lyrics is that the world should join together and create world peace. This commercial was aired in 2002 a year after the 9/11 terror attack, and i think that this advert was reaching out to those people who had lost someone they loved.

The advert also portrays the values of christmas, a time that everyone joins together to celebrate one day a year and can spend time with the ones they love and show them how much they love them.

The New D&G Fragrances Anthology

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fXL8t41EqWw

My chosen commercial is advertising Dolce and Gabbana Fragrances. It's an advert that has been in circulation for a while now that I personally love (mainly because of the part of the Geroge Michael song it uses!), but it is still popular and up to date because of the stars that have been used. The six models are; Naomi Campbell, Claudia Schiffer, Eva Herzigova, Fernando Fernandes, Tyson Ballou and Noah Mills. D & G have been clever in that they have used some very attractive people who appeal to both sexes in order to reach a wider demographic.

In terms of 'value', well it's a fragrance, that much is obvious. A good deal of the world's population uses perfume. I don't step out of the house without it. This particular 'anthology' of fragrances appeals to both men and women as it deliberately caters to both genders. Fragrance is often used to attract the opposite sex and is meant to make the consumer feel attractive and sexy and sometimes it's just meant to make you feel a little better about yourself and give you an ego boost. However, in this case, I would think that it is the former. Half naked models? Yes, I think we know what they are trying to sell us. Sex sells, and don't you forget it.

The price for this perfume is to be expected as it is a designer brand. I found one website that is selling 100ml bottles for $65.00 which considering the exchange rate today is about £39, whereas on the UK Boots website it is £35. This was on the Macy's website, but there are others that go as high as $74. With this particular item I think you really have to shop around to get the best deal, because there are some websites that are happy to exploite their customers if it means they can get an few extra Dollars.

I think fragrance as a commodity is one that is based soley on branding. For example, designer brands, although they cost more, will often sell more because of the name of the product. Chanel No.5 is possibly the worlds most famous perfume because it is Chanel and was worn by movie starlett's of a certain era. Fragrances that are endorsed by Celebrities will sell more because of the culture we live in. This is none more true than in the US. A Hollywood obsessed culture see's Celebrities gracing the pages of magazines and TV screens as the spokesmodel for a fragrance. For example at the moment, I've seen almost constantly Sienna Miller, Josh Hartnett, Audrey Tatou, Ewan McGregor, Elizabeth Hurley, Gwenyth Paltrow and the list goes on. This is just for fragrance bare in mind, the cosmetics industry is a whole other world. And although D&G is an Italian brand, it is heavily marketed in the US as it is a. the richest country in the world and b. it is possibly the most Celebrity obsessed and is heavily endorsed by models who are marketed in America, hence the reason I chose it.

In my opinion, the D&G advert is a effective one in that it uses catchy music (George Michael's 'Freedom 90') and the models who are advertising the product are well known ones who are over the age of 25, which appeals to women as they do not feel so threatened by younger women. Granted, they look nowhere near their age, but they do sell the product in a way that appeals to both sexes. And then we have the male models who have the bodies that some 'ordinary' men aspire to have and who alot of women would aspire to be with! It basically acomplishes what it sets out to do; convinces the consumer that if they buy D&G's ridiculously overpriced fragrances at Macy's department store for Christmas, they too will look and smell like a supermodel.

Alger's Dick

Here is an article I've found about Alger's work Ragged Dick.

The Dictionary of American Biography calls Horatio Alger the "most successful writer of boys' stories in the whole of American literature." Before moving to New York City in 1866, Alger had been a Unitarian minister for two years. He'd also published several works of fiction. But none had anything like the success of Ragged Dick. This first of Alger's "rags to respectability" novels appeared serially in Student and Schoolmate, a monthly periodical that featured moral tales for youth. Alger's story began running in January, 1867, with the picture below as a kind of frontispiece. Before the last installment appeared in June, Ragged Dick had attracted so much attention that the Boston publisher A.K. Loring signed Alger to a contract that led, by the end of the century, to 118 other novels modeled on the same archetypal plot. As success stories Tom and Dick's adventures resemble each other only by contrast. The chapter below recounts Dick's first visit to a fashionable New York church, under the sponsorship of the second of his three male mentors. It is strikingly secular in its emphases, but not much like MT's chapter on Tom Sawyer in church. Of course, we shouldn't forget that in Sunday School Tom is tempted to fall down and worship the socially "elect" Judge Thatcher -- and curiously the idea of being "adopted" into "sivilization" by a rich patron whom one has aided is picked up in Tom Sawyer by the story of Huck and the Widow Douglas.

Breast Cancer awareness

In a Seattle hospital

Obamacare- Yay or Nay?

Possibly the biggest polictical debate currently overshadowing the United states is the topic of Healthcare and how President Obama plans to change things for the better and to help his country. Because that's what President's do, right? Well, not according to some. Obama's Healthcare Reform is, in some American's eyes, a plan to turn America into a Socialist country that will inevitably end up like (gasp) the USSR. In many of the propaganda videos that have been made, original USSR propaganda footage has been used to compare and to really drive home the message that what Obama is doing is wrong.

My first website is from the news channel CNN and is against the Healthcare Reform and lists five reasons why.

http://money.cnn.com/2009/07/24/news/economy/health_care_reform_obama.fortune/

What is possibly the most interesting point about this website is the comments at the end. Real American's who are not in front of a camera or are trying to push their opinions on millions of people. They are sharing their points of view about Obama's new policy. There are mixed views but it is obvious that the majority have been brainwashed by the media (thank you, Fox News) and are scared of the 'tyranny' that will obviously follow should this bill be passed. What this website focuses on is what American's are most afraid of loosing; their freedom. The first amendment of the Constitution is possibly the most precious and what their ancestors fought for. Take that away, and what does America stand for?

This YouTube video is in relation to another video that is posted which poses the argument as to why Universal Healthcare is wrong.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SPq6_7AFsp4&feature=related


My second website is a Pro Healthcare Reform Website

http://www.americanhealthcarereform.org/index.html

This website is full of information including the lies and the real truth's surrounding the reforms, news items, video clips, an FAQ and it even includes letters that are pleaing with members of Congress to say yes to the changes. One letter included is from a retired Doctor from Preston who is outraged at the way the NHS is misrepresnted in the States! It just goes to show how powerful this debate is and who it's really effecting. However, with the recent findings in an Essex hospital this week, it is just giving the people who are opposed to this more ammunition, and is neither helping the cause or putting us in a good light. I really enjoyed looking at this website and I found it interesting to see how invested people are in this cause and all the information they are willing to gather to get more people on board.

And here's a little video that I found on You Tube. It breaks down what the Government is trying to do, in the simplest terms.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KfZfgkX6uEk


I am in two minds on this. I can see from an American's point of view why Universal Healthcare would be a threat. The Government is feared in the US and people are afraid that they will not receive the same treatment as they do now. For example, if you are rich and can afford great insurance, then you can pick the cream of the crop to treat you. If Universal Healthcare kicks in, there's every chance that you will have to slum it with the rest of us and get treated by whatever Doctor happens to be free, unless you want to deal with the deductable in your private health insurance. However, if I was sick, and I couldn't afford great insurance, I would want to know that I would be seen by a Doctor. The thought that a Doctor would refuse to treat me because they could earn more if it cost them less really scares me.

After watching Sicko, for the first time, I was glad to be British. I'm the only one in our class to have previously watched the film, but it's meaning isn't any less poignant and it's effect any less dramatic. It really hit home how lucky we are to live in a country where we only have to pay for medicine between the ages of 18 and 60 and we are exempt if there are various other factors including pregnancy or income support. My Mom recently suffered a very serious and life threatening illness which required specialist surgery and she is now on several different types of medication and requires support from health carers, which in America, would have cost us hundreds of thousands of Dollars because as she already suffers from several other pre-existing conditions that had nothing to do with this illness. Yet because she has these pre-existing conditions, she would not be insured. Neither would my Dad because he has a pre-exsisting condition and wouldn't be accepted because of that and his BMI and I probably wouldn't because of my BMI and my 'pre exsisiting condition' which is nothing compared to my parents- mine is that I have 'Shin Splints', a small condition in the shins which, I am told, was basically caused because I shot up like a bamboo shoot as a child. It's insignificant little things like this that we take for granted, but can and does kill millions of people in the US. As we saw in the film, so many people died just because of get out clauses in their insurance that the companies use to make money. What's wrong with America's current 'Healthcare' system? It is run more like a bank than a hospital. And that costs lives.

Obama Health Care Reform

This video shows an anti health care view on Obama's reform, using aeroplanes as an example to show this.



The American public seem to believe that Obama's reform on health care will cost them more money in insurance and have a poorer standard in quality. The overall view I have come across when researching the topic is that America's don't want the bill because they want to keep their freedom and don't want to be controlled by the government.

The website I found for pro health care reform tells you why all the doubts some American's are having about the health care reform are not true.


http://www.prospect.org/cs/articles?article=the_ten_dumbest_arguments_against_health_care_reform

American's believe that they have the best health care system in the world, but if this was true why would 50 million of the population be uninsured, and others dealing with bankruptsy. This is just one of the arguments this article gives on health care. America may have the best medical facilities but whats the point in having them if people can't afford to pay to use them.

It seems so bizarre to me that American's can believe this is a good health system? If they can have public schools, librarys etc that are free to use why not make health care free too.

Health care reform

Here I have found a video that is for AND against a healthcare reform (sort of)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NevFL1rGeew

Another video that I found was;

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uicgK344AQo&feature=related

From an English point of view, to me the idea of not wanting to pass the healthcare is ridiculous, but I've grown up not having to worry about paying for healthcare thanks to the NHS. But in turn, if I take myself out and look at it from a different point of view then I can see why it would be such a controversial issue. The idea of having a health problem that you have been born with and in turn not being able to afford the care that you need is absolutely ridiculous, it is as if it is your problem because you were born with it, and a very American way of thinking. Analysing both arguments is hard as is understanding the want for no reform. The healthcare reform is not just a matter of health, it is also a matter of money, money for the huge insurance companies that give their employees healthcare benefits.

Another video that I found highly interesting and Pro health care reform, but more in a matter of factly and comedic way is this

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B98muhufAGE (embedding disabled)

It is a time to change --- Health Care Reform

After I watched the film Sicko, directed by Michael Moore. I know what is the Healthcare system like in the United States. It is quite similar with China. In China, if you were sick or ill, or women give birth or some emergency accidents happened, people are normally go to hospitals. The lucky thing is that you do not have to book appointment with any doctor, you can go to hospital directly. However, unluckily, patients normally need to pay everything, medication, fee for health checking, etc. Even though you have a job you have insurance, but employer would not pay everything for you. This is the general situation in China.

Here is a clip about President Obama on organizing for health care reform.



President Obama asks supporters to declare their support for his three core principles for health care reform, and to share their personal stories to help build support for the reforms that are so desperately needed.

However, there are some people do not agree with that. Let's see some comments of viewers.
ty2 says, 'Eff you Obama. You screw your nation over like no one before. What you have in for healthcare and what Reid and Pelosi have in it matters more than the citizens of this once great nation. Don't sit their with that smug look and tell me you are trying to make it better for me. I know as well as you do that you are a liar and a cheater and a horrible person and leader. You will give money to special interests and you will sink our country into the ground. I do not stand for this.'

averion5496 says, 'The democrats don't get it. National Health care will cost over $1 trillion dollars. Do you know what a $1 trillion dollars amounts to? Imagine getting $1 every second for 11.57 days. That's $1 million dollars. $1 every second for 31.7 years is $1 billion dollars. $1 every second for 31,709 years is $1 trillion dollars. It's 2009 and we have 29,700 more years to go. Taxes are going up if you don't get it already! You democrats are crazy!'

Here is an another clip about Anti-Healthcare Reform Protests, reported by Rachel Maddow of MSNBC.

"Obama care" views of the reform proposal

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/.../house-democratsanxious-to_n_218177.html%20-

This particular webpage is about the endorsement of 3 chairmen from committees in the House of Representatives. These are the Energy & Commerce, Ways & Means and Education & Labour committees. It talks about Obama's attempt to compramise & be Bi-Partisan in order to win over the conservative Democrats & some Republicans. The Bi-Partisan approach appears to be a compramised variation of the reform between the House of Representatives and the Congressional Budget Office, that is supported by the President. The the nature of this version of reform being Bi-Partisan seems to be defined by the "PUBLIC OPTION", the public option is where the public can choose a Federal government healthcare plan instead of a private plan. The Federal plans are aiming to be cheaper than the private plans, this an attempt to regulate the fraudulent private drug and insurance companies.


PLEASE PLAY THIS TO EXPLAIN....


-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


www.foxnews.com/.../republicans-try-rally-resistance-health-care-house-vote-nears/

The link above is about a rally by Republicans stir up more protests against the on going healthcare reform bill. Parts of it include a tactic used by Fox news and Republican polititions to turn public oppinion against Government in Washington. They are scaremongering and confusing the public by lieing about the Government and its attempt. For example they argue the reform if passed will increase costs for the private insurance and drug companies, aswell as making patients plans more expensive to.


I personally feel more convinced by the support FOR the reform than i do by the opposition, partly due to the fact that i dont like the Republican favoured system. However nobody can deny that the extreamist opposition is dangerous succeeding in gaining support to oppose the reform proposal.

Universal Healthcare, Who wants it?

This clip is of Glenn Beck of Foxnews, it is 2 minuites of Glenn Beck attempting to expose weaknesses of Universal Healthcareand to influence viewers at home watching who dont agree, and to warn them of the flaws of the approaching proposed reform. Glenn Beck does this by using an example, his explains the Rep. Mit Romney's Massachusetts Healthcare or "Romneycare" as Beck calls it, that is in place. This is a "Bipartisan" Healthcare reform system that is aimed at providing universal healthcare in the state based on personal income, and subsidies for the poor or unemployed.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------





View on 5mins 35secs

The clip above is of a public gathering in Buffalo NY. where a Democrat congressman Brian Higgins has voted for the Univerdal Healthcare Reform in support of the Obama administration and a quality healthcare system for America. Congressman Higgins explains the positves that can be acheived by the Healthcare reform, he also attacks the attitude taken by many Republicans opposing the reform and the Democrats. He is also a member of the "Ways & Means" committee in the House of Representitives.

I believe in the 2nd clip to be more convincing, I dont like the tone and approach of Glenn Beck. He seems to oppose anything that represents President Obama rather than opposing his policies. Also he also indirectly attacks Obama's Healthcare plan by drawing comparisons to Mit Romney's Massachusetts state Healthcare reform, which Beck claims has been a fundamental flop. I find congressman Higgins far more mature in his approach and more relevant to the his points.

America in Crisis? Jon Stewart To The Rescue!

You may have heard to the Daily Show with Jon Stewart, he's very popular in the States and as his show is imported over here and is shown nightly on More4, he has increasing popularity here in Britain. I know I frequently watch his show (when I have a TV!!) Here I have picked a clip that is only a few days old and is one where he takes on the Healthcare reform. As Stewart is a satirist, the clip is very funny and he's playing very much to the audience, hence his high viewing figures. But he does get the point across and shows the lunacy of the people in Government.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YzMooKTcm2k


This is such a huge topical debate in America, and a very serious one at that. And as we will see from next weeks film Sicko, it is one that everyone is more than happy to weigh in on. I'm just happy that Jon can see the lighter side of the news, report on it and then completely rip it to pieces. That makes good television!!

And just for fun, to show how popular he is....



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=stjmxnHEKyY

Glenn Beck: Global Warming greatest scam in history

I found a clip about Glenn Beck. He has written a book entitled An inconvenient segment. He and John Coleman who is the founder of The Weather Channel. They believe that global warming is a SCAM !!!

Let's see what did they say.



Actually I have got a book entitled An inconvenient truth was written by Al Gore who is the former Vice President of the United States. I think this is a brilliant book !

Lou Dobbs - Fort Hood

Here are two video's of Lou Dobbs' opinions on the fort hood shootings.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OXOYb7C0sJw



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FYotoMn874Q

The above two videos disagree with the in which Obama handled the press conference and criticized him for not showing enough compassion to the nation. The way in which Dobbs' comes across is actually quite scary.
I don't agree with what Dobbs' states about the fort hood shooting being a big cover up for the health care bill and can't understand how that would even work? Generally I dont agree with anything that Dobbs' has to say, but you can see the appeal of him to Americans as more than anything he pushes his views onto people puts blame on Obama for the current situation in America.

Gun control in America

http://nrablog.com/

http://blog.bradycampaign.org/

The websites I chose were the two main gun sites on the internet, the NRA and the Brady campaign against gun use. Both sites were very similar with their layouts both using blogs to let their members discuss the topics. As these websites are members only sites you did not get any debates on the sites but a lot of factual information and praise for the topics being discussed.

http://www.setcan.com/images/asp_red_guns_listing.jpg   (image blocked)


http://www.arthurshall.com/images/custom_images/guns_girl.jpg

The people using the NRA blog appear to be very proud of the association and give thanks to people and other associations helping the NRA out. Whereas the Brady campaign site is still in a battle to win the fight to ban guns altogether, and seem to be trying to find more facts on gun crime to make this happen. The blog categories on the Brady site are all from recent news stories on gun crime and very plain and factual with no images or videos, the NRA site bloggers post plenty or images and videos of moments or things they are proud of.

The website I found most convincing was the Brady campaign site as it was giving reasons why guns should be banned, giving facts and devastating news stories about deaths by gun crime. The NRA website gave lots of information about guns but didn’t say why gun crime shouldn’t be banned? It did show the safety aspects of using a gun on the site, and the law enforcement. I myself have never taken much interest in gun crime in America and don’t have much of an opinion on it as I am not an American citizen, although I am glad guns are banned in the UK.

Pro or Anti 2nd Amendment

This Clip is the typical view of many Pro Gun believers, who dont want control. The notion here is that control is not needed, that it isnt the guns that kill innocent people its people who kill people. The argument is that 'good law abiding' citizens have the intelligence to be able to control the gun themselves. Many people seem have more faith in protecting themselves rather than relying on the law. To restrict these pro gun citizens is to violate their right by the 2nd Amendment.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------




The argument in this video is the opposition to pro gun owners or "law abiding citizens", that common sense and regulation is the right way to tackle gun crime rather than making guns more availabe for self protection. Those who welcome restrictions only want Gun control not gun bans, many understand the importance of the right of the 2nd amendment.


Based on these to sources I am more convinced by the anti gun control argument that people are afraid they will loose their constitutional rights. It seems easier to find sources that defend the constitutional right of the 2nd amendment than it is to find a strong argument for gun control. The points made to defend the constitution as it stands are very valid and strong, (for example to shoot back in defense rather than wait for police and risk being killed.) Typical America pragmatic.

Gun control---pro and anti

Here is an article from Almanac of Policy Issues. It is pro-gun control. I think it is the better thing to do.

Gun control advocates argue that they curb access by criminals, juveniles, and other "high-risk" individuals. They contend that only federal measures can successfully reduce the availability of guns. Some seek broad policy changes such as near-prohibition of non-police handgun ownership or the registration of all firearm owners or firearms. They assert that there is no constitutional barrier to such measures and no significant social costs. Others advocate less comprehensive policies that they maintain would not impede ownership and legitimate firearm transfers.

Opposition to federal controls is strong. Gun control opponents deny that federal policies keep firearms out of the hands of high-risk persons; rather, they argue, controls often create burdens for law-abiding citizens and infringe upon constitutional rights provided by the Second Amendment. Some argue further that widespread gun ownership is one of the best deterrents to crime as well as to potential tyranny, whether by gangs or by government. They may also criticize the notion of enhancing federal, as opposed to state, police powers. The two most significant federal statutes controlling firearms in the civilian population are the National Firearms Act of 1934 and the Gun Control Act of 1968.

I think guns should be under controlled. Therefore, it can be better guarantee the people's life.

I found a website which listing anti-gun control facts.
This is the link: http://www.tensionnot.com/jokes/one_liner_jokes/anti_gun_control_facts


This is the list: Anti-Gun Control List
1. Know guns, know peace, know safety. No guns, no peace, no safety.
2. A gun in the hand is better than a cop on the phone.
3. Gun control is not about guns, it's about control.
4. If guns cause crime, then pencils cause misspelled words.
5. If you don't know your rights you don't have any.
6. 64,999,987 firearms owners killed no one yesterday.
7. Guns only have two enemies: rust and politicians.
8. An armed man is a citizen. An unarmed man is a subject.
9. You don't shoot to kill, you shoot to stay alive.
10. Assault is a behavior, not a device.
11. Criminals love gun control -- it makes their jobs safer.
12. If guns cause crime, then matches cause arson.
13. When you remove the people's right to bear arms, you create slaves.
14. The American Revolution would never have happened with gun control.
15. Those who trade liberty for security have neither.

Although, this website may not be reputable, and even just jokes, but I think it through this way to show people want guns to be controlled.

Pro gun Vs Anti gun

Anti-gun control
http://www.wagc.com/
This is the website that I have chosen for anti-gun control. The organisation is called 'Woman against gun control' has motto's such as 'If women are disarmed, a rapist will never hear stop or i'll shoot' and even includes the '10 commandments of gun safety'. It even includes a 'hall of shame' for websites that aren't pro gun. I found alot of the anti gun control organisations that are aimed at women really play on the idea of a lone women not being able to protect herself against rapists and burglars if gun control was to come into action. Although i'm anti-gun myself, i can see why the campaigns are quite so successful. By playing on the idea of women being vunerable without a gun, in my opinion women will be vunerable with or without a gun. The campaign appeals to not only women, but also males, who might encourage their partners to get a gun for protection when they aren't around. You can see the point of view of this organisation, in that a womens strength does not match a mans and therefore a gun is the only thing that can rival it, but to me it just doesn't make any sense.

I also found this website quite amusing, just in case you really want to show you're pro gun http://www.armyourcar.com/

Pro-gun control
http://csgv.org
Having found this website named and shamed on the previous website for being pro-gun control i felt that it was worth looking at to see what the controversy was about. 'Guns, democracy and freedom' is a name of one of the campaigns on 'Coalition to stop gun violence'. It questions the NRA in its campaign for 'more guns=more freedom' policy and put across the question of whether 30,000 deaths a year is such a small price to guarantee freedom. Unlike the other Anti-gun control websites, CSGV doesn't 'name and shame' pro gun websites, it clearly states out the facts of the slack in gun control. In my opinion its a very strong website, and endorses microchipping, which is something pro-gunners have been very against, to me this doesn't make any sense and why you wouldn't criminals to be caught.

Both websites have very valid views but to me the CSGV just makes more sense. The facts and figures cant be denied. 9 children a day die from gun violence and there are many more you can read about on the CSGV website. The more convincing website to me is CSGV, but this could be because im anti-gun. The facts and figures just add up, on average guns kill or hurt 276 people every day in America, the statistics really speaks for themselves in this case.

Pro Gun VS. Anti Gun

Well I've already made my feelings on this perfectly clear in both seminars and on previous blogs but for those of you who don't know, I am strictly ANTI GUN. I watched Michael Moore's documentary 'Bowling for Columbine' as a young teenager and the events that occoured that fateful day still sends shivers down my spine. And to think that a Brit was killed the other day in Amarillo who just happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time- he was on a road trip with his buddies and dropped in because he was a fan of the Tony Christie song. And why did he die? Because some gun toting maniac lives in a state that has the slackest rules when it comes to gun control. Well, does it have any control?! Disgusting. As was the picture shown this week in class. Giving a 10 and 11 year old a firearm?! HELLO! In any civilised culture, who in their right mind thinks that that is acceptable? And to think that their dad is a University Professor....it really does make you think.


Anyway, onto this weeks task. My Pro Gun website is an obvious one, but you can't get more pro gun than the mac daddy of them all, the NRA. National Rifle Assosiastion.

http://www.nra.org/

The reason I'm so against the NRA and all their beliefs? Two words. Charlton Heston. He was formely the President of the NRA before he died and I previously thought he was a damned good actor. Until I watched this scene from 'Bowling For Columbine'

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q1iuEcu7O50



And what happened in Columbine in 1999?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UJ13CZ4Hekg&NR=1&feature=fvwp

For those of you who are unaware or just need a brief reminder, two students from the school, Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold walked into school one day in April '99 and opened fire on their teachers and fellow students. 12 students and 1 teacher were killed and 21 others were seriously injured. They then turned the guns on themselves. And as you heard in the Michael Moore video, the NRA showed up not long after for a pro gun rally.

So what does the NRA say? Well, their motto is quite famously 'Guns don't kill people, people kill people'. So famous in fact that I don't even have to look it up, it's something embedded in my memory forever. But maybe that's just me! Their website uses celebrity endorsements such as Chuck Norris. However, in their favour, they are encouraging people to register their weapons.

I feel deeply uncomfortable looking at this site, but I do see their point. In a nation of 300 million where the vast majority of people own guns, why wouldn't you want to protect yourself and your family? The cop's aren't doing a great job, but neither are they in this country. Granted, America is bigger, but why all the violence? I agree that a gun is an inanomate object and it requires the squeeze of a trigger so it may do it's worst but the fact that the NRA are so anti gun control is what is worrying. Gun activists know that the Second Amendment applies to them, and boy don't they run with it! I agree that if you have a right to excersise something you believe in then you should. And personally, although I am against guns and the use of them (except in the armed forces), if I was living in America it would probably be a different story. I wouldn't touch the Southern states with a barge pole, I'm strictly a Northern girl in that sense so there aren;t as many around, but knowing that gun's were already out there would make me want to own one. As mentioned before, you cannot rely on the police anymore. These day's you have to stick up for yourself. And one thing that does jump out at me on the webpage is the Executive Vice President's opinion that gun-control activists seem to be more focused on getting rid of guns and less on reducing violence in general. Some sense is displayed here at least. And just so we are up to date, there is a scrolling news bar at the bottom of the page keeping you up-to-date with all the gun news in America.

However, most amusing is that you can support the NRA by shopping at Amazon.com! And if you are a member you can get discounts on rental cars, hotels, shopping, and health services. And then there's the massive advertisment that tells me that there has never been a better time to join. Hmmm....I'd want to defend myself, but thankfully I still live in Britain. So thanks, but no thanks.



On the other side of things are the victims of gun crime. My anti gun website is the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence.

http://www.bradycampaign.org/
James Brady was President Ronald Regan's Press Secretary in the 80's. On March 30th 1981, John Hinckley Jr. attempted to assassinate the President and thankfully only managed to puncture a lung. Unfortunately for Brady, he was shot in the head and as a result he is now disabled. Since that day, James and wife Sarah are now anti-gun campaigners and managed to make a difference in the world by getting government to pass 'The Brady Bill'. Named for James, The Brady Bill means that "anyone who legally purchases a gun in the United States is subject to a federal background check and if they pass and there are no further state restrictions then it is transferred to individual approval from the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) which is maintained by the FBI. " (All info on Wikipedia).

Basically if it weren't for this bill, then goodness only knows who could have gotten hold of a gun and what further damage they could have done. In order for lives to be saved, a man has had to live with a disability for nearly 30 years. Some may argue that if Brady had not been shot then this would not have come in to place- and what caused this? Guns. But in my opinion that does not mark one in the pro box for guns.

On James and Sarah's website they give some very useful information on both state and federal gun laws and even gives you their 'score' for each state. California being the highest having the best gun laws and Oklahoma being one of the lowest due to their lack of laws. It also gives you information on the bill, the history, what their mission statement is and how you can get involved.

This website doesn't try and shove it's opinions down your throat, it tries to show you how you can get involved and help. The NRA website is slightly aggressive in it's tone, whereas Brady's website offers you facts and figures. The point is with this website is that they are looking for stricter laws. No one said anything about outlawing guns completely like they have here in England, they just want to make sure that if you own a gun, you are not likely to run amok with it and kill people. Obviously there is no real way of telling this, even the most sane people could snap one day. But they are not of one extreme. They believe in outlawing gun violence and enforcing harsher gun laws so that america is a safer place to live .

Obviously, I had already made up my mind before I even started this blog. But now I am more aware of the opinions of both sides and although I am not neutral, I can see the viewpoint of the NRA. It is their right as Americans to own a gun and to protect themselves from any potential threats. But then I look at James the victims of Columbine and I'm filled with a deep sadness that these events had to occour because the proper precaustions were not in place. America lives in fear of terrorism, of it's own government and now their own neighbours? I'm afraid I side with the anti-gun advocates as that is not the kind of place I would like to be living in right now.

Other Americans

Cajun History - Acadian Genealogy - Acadian History
http://www.acadian-cajun.com/

My choice of (other) Americans are the Cajun Americans or Acadians as they are alternatively known as, Cajun is a more familiar term. The link above is a website which looks at the historical aspect of the Cajun race.

The Cajun's are decendants of Acadians who today live in Louisiana. French settlers moved to the New World in the early 17th century and founded Acadia in what would now consist of Nova Scotia, Eastern Quebec and Northern Maine. After the French Indian Wars many Acadians were exiled to New Orleans, Louisiana as a result of the Treaty of Paris.

( Web read gives a sense of survival despite hardships, driven to a new start. The site explains in "Acadian history" how the Acadian's lived in a secular society to the English who eventually poured into the area, beeing unable to be left alone is what contributed to their exile)



http://www.cajuncabin.com/

This web link is to represent the modern day aspect of Cajun culture. It is selling one of the most successful parts of Cajun culture, food. Cajun American's have managed to keep much of the old traditions alive and one of the strongest is the Cajun food, Cajun spices.

(Unlike the historical weblink this contemporary page doesnt show hardship or exile, it is more a testiment to how well the Cajun culture has survived and how despite problems earlier in the 20th century. )

This second website shows how Cajun race & culture has survived American assimilation yet remained outside the mainstream class. Previous ideals of secular behaviour has helped maintain tradition whilst successfully integrating into American society without major confrontation, something other ethnic minorities have struggled with.

Views of excluded groups - African American

Contemporary

http://www.manhattan-institute.org/html/_latimes-why_im_black.htm

The website I have chosen is a transcript of an interview based on the subject of 'What it means to be an African American' written by a black writer. The article deals with the issue critically and states whether it is acceptable to label all black Americans as 'African American' or if it is only acceptable to be labeled an 'African American' if you are a descendant of American slavery. The article also deals with the term 'African American', the writer states that their views are the term was created to make African Americans more inclusive and the lack of hyphen in 'African American' compared to other nationalities that are now considered 'American' that have a hyphen included. I find this article interesting as much like the writer I feel that there shouldn't be a difference between 'American' and 'African American'.


Historical
http://www.blackiowa.org/exhibits/changing/buxton.html

Apologies for this post, as i'm not quite sure this is what we were supposed to find.

The Historical website that I have chosen is on the African American museum of Iowa. The website includes a virtual exhibit of artifacts to do with black history. I found the website interesting as it has details of a town called Buxton in Iowa which was referred to as the 'Black mans utopia'. I found this website interesting as it details Buxton to have a large number of African American residents, not only that but there was no segregation much like other towns. African Americans in Buxton were treated equally and had well paid jobs and some were even in the Army. This is interesting, as unlike other towns, African Americans did not seem to be excluded and were not just seen as slaves.

Feminists and Gay Marriage

http://us.history.wisc.edu/hist102/lectures/lecture14.html

The American Dream is seen as having the perfect family, perfect wife, perfect children and the perfect job. This means that women are put into a stereotype of being the ‘house wife’, for some females this is not their ‘American Dream’ which is where feminism came in. The website I chose explains the history of American feminists and what their mission is. Feminism went against America’s ideologies of what they thought their country should be like, America is a proud nation and was male dominated place back when feminism first started.

http://uspolitics.about.com/od/gaymarriage/a/status_N04.htm

The topic I chose for my contemporary website was gay marriage in America; I felt that this was still and ongoing issue in America. Many states have enforced a ban on gay marriage and that their marriage will not count in that state if they choose to get married in a different state or country. Again this is to do with the ‘American Dream’ and the ideologies Americans have, gay marriage does not fit into these ideologies and therefore Americans choose to ignore it.
The difference between these two topics is that Feminism has had an impact on America and had success, whereas the gay society are still battling for their rights to make gay marriage legal.

I put this website in as well because I found it quite amusing...
http://bw.org/gay-marriage.html

Equal Rights- Gay Minorities In America

My first website provides a brief history of the American Gay Rights Movement. Although it is brief, it does give a considerable amount of information as to how far America has come as a nation in accepting this minority. The website is historical in that it ends at 2004, and as you will see below, there have been some major changes since then.

http://civilliberty.about.com/od/gendersexuality/tp/History-Gay-Rights-Movement.htm

I think that this website is a great source of information for people (like me) who until I went looking for it, did not know alot about the rights of gay men and women in America. Some of the hell that they have been through in order to fight for their rights is tragic and I think it really does shame some people in regards to how they have treated their fellow Americans. It's unfortunate that the phrase 'All men are created equal' does not apply across the board and I think that in reading this brief history you will become more aware of the problems that gay people in America face and I know that it has certainly change my views and had an impact on how I think too. The Stonewall Riot's is a paticular high point for me as it was the event that promted gay pride, a parade that occours across the world and celebrates being gay and being an equal.

My contemporary website focuses on an issue that has caused alot of uproar in America of late- Gay marriage.

http://www/whiteknot.org

Currently, same-sex marriages can be performed in 4 of the 50 states: Massachusetts, Connecticut, Iowa and Vemont. Starting from January 1st 2010, New Hampshire shall be added to this list. The most recent controversy surrounding this issue is Proposition 8. Whiteknot comments on this, but it is mostly a website that is fighting for equal rights. However, as it is the one year anniverary of Prop 8, I thought it would be fitting to comment on this.

Proposition 8 was an amendment to the constitutuion of California which stated that only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in California. As previously mentioned, Gay marriage is not yet legal in the majority of states but what caused uproar in California was the fact that same-sex marriage became legalised on June 16th 2008 and as little as 5 months later, Proposition 8 reversed the decision to the outcry of many California residents, as well as others across the country. Out and proud homosexual blogger, Perez Hilton commented frequently on his blog and reffered to the proposition as 'Prop H8te' as it was seen as discrimination against gay men and women. Rallies were held and petitions were signed and $43.3 million was raised in campaigns against the proposition. Unfortunately, this has not had an effect on the government and Prop 8 is still in place today.

It is unfortunate that this further proves that Gay men and Women are discriminated against and they are not treated as equals. In Britain, I think that we are generally more accepting of the gay lifestyle, and certainly you will find that alot of cities in America are almost havens for members of the gay community. However, there is still alot of hatred towards this minority, certainly in the south and also in congress- the Republican Party is famous for being outspoken on this issue. Particularly in the last election...yet another reason why Obama won!! It doesn't look like much will change anytime soon, but hopefully with a Democrat back in the White House, there will be some changes made that will make America a more accepting country.

And just for fun.......

http://www.funnyordie.com/videos/c0cf508ff8/prop-8-the-musical-starring-jack-black-john-c-reilly-and-many-more-from-fod-team-jack-black-craig-robinson-john-c-reilly-and-rashida-jones

From past to present

Well, firstly I need to say 'thank you' to Alasdair, because he helped me to do a part of my post. :) I chose Asia America, in particular Chinese as my post of this week.

http://www.modelminority.com/wiki/tiki-index.php?page=True%20Americans

here it is the first website link about Chinese immigrants in America in later of 19 century.

Is this to say that the Chinese and other Asians were did not initially leave their homelands to come to America with the "strength and conviction to make make a better life for themselves and families"? Did years of insurrmountable labor and the will survive not pay off by helping to create the most widely used and vital sector of the American economic growth--the rail roads--along with other smaller businesses and services? Throughout American history we are taught about some of the struggles and the contributions of the Chinese and other Asians to America's economic and artistic and cultural growth, but almost never in the "noble" way as that of the Europeans--who were actually no less "foreign" to American when they arrived than were other hard-laboring civilians of Asian descent.

At that time, Chinese were not respected at all. Just like the picture shows, the rail way was build by Chinese labours, but there is no even one labour in the picture!

However, the situation has changed by now. There is another new from The New York Times.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/09/business/energy-environment/09solar.html this is the link of the website.

Mike Ahearn, chief executive of First Solar, left, greets Wu Bangguo, chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress of China. The memorandum of understanding between Chinese officials and First Solar would open a potentially vast solar market in China.

Chinese government has done a deal with a U.S. company about a solar project. This is just for now, how about in the future? Will there be more cooperation or the decision has only made by Chinese government?

Good posts from everyone this week - very pleasing

And a treat

Are you ready for New Windows? --- Windows 7

Apple just launched its new product MacBook Pro. After that Microsoft launched its new software as well, Windows 7. I chose this as my topic of 'new'. It is new actually, because it is still in the preview phase.

Let's see what are new features of Windows 7.

Engineered by us. Inspired by you.
A few years ago we started asking PC owners what they wanted from Windows 7. The result?
Windows 7 simplifies everyday tasks

HomeGroup
Takes the headache out of sharing files and printers on a home network.

Jump Lists
Speedy access to your favorite pictures, songs, websites, and documents.

Snap
A quick (and fun!) new way to resize and compare windows on your desktop.

Windows Live Essentials
7 great programs, 1 free download. Mail, Movie Maker, Photo Gallery, and more.

Windows Search
Find virtually anything on your PC, instantly.

Windows Taskbar
Better thumbnail previews, easier-to-see icons, and more ways to customize.
Windows 7 works the way you want

Full 64-bit support
Windows 7 makes the most of powerful 64-bit PCs, the new desktop standard.

More personal
Redecorate your desktop with fun new themes, slide shows, or handy gadgets.

Performance improvements
Designed to sleep and resume quicker, be less memory hungry, and spot USB devices faster.
Windows 7 makes new things possible

Play To
Play your media on other PCs, stereos, or TVs around the house.

Remote Media Streaming
Enjoy music and video on your home PC—even when you're not at home.

Windows Touch
Pair Windows 7 with a touchscreen and you won't always need a keyboard or mouse.

A New You? Why Not Try a Hollywood Smile....

Ok, so teeth whitening is nothing new. Celebrities have been doing this for years (but don't tell the press! Shhh!) and in more recent years products have been available on the market which means that us 'normal folks' can achieve the kind of megawatt smile that is seen up and down the red carpet.

The following website provides such a product- Hollywood Sexy Smile

https://www.hollywoodsexysmile.com/

Although the website doesn't claim that this product will wipe the slate clean and the result will be a brand new you, what it does do is guarantee that your teeth will be whiter and give you all the benefits of having a new smile. The following is a small extract from the website that gives you an insight as to what this can do for you

What's in a Sparkling Smile?

Your smile is a indicator of how you're feeling, and who you are. People with brighter smiles and white teeth appear more youthful, healthy, open to conversation and sure of themselves. A whiter smile sends good messages about yourself to others - it tells them you look good and feel good. A beautiful smile adds more to confidence than almost anything. Get back your confidence, feel younger, healthier and be far more approachable. Smile brightly at the world. You'll look and feel great about yourself!

So essentially, if you have this done and you are not a confident person, it will make you more confident and more approachable. Which when all is said and done, is a new you as it is something that you weren't before. And apparently if your teeth are whiter you will feel healthier too! Not sure how that works, but hey, you've got to sell your products to as many demographic's as possible! The idea of the 'New American' is that you were able to escape from your past and re-invent yourself as this new and improved person who is much happier and has a bright and shining future ahead. And if teeth whitening is something that you feel can do this for you, then why wouldn't you buy it for $49.99 a month plus $9.99 shipping and handling?!

The settlers left their home countries behind in order to persue a better life for themselves in America, to wipe the slate clean and to start anew. America still provides this for many emigrants who decide to leave their past behind and start a fresh in the big 'ole US of A. But what of those who already live there? How do they start anew? Well, that's where products like Hollywood Sexy Smile come in. Re-invent yourslef with a new smile, look like your favourite celebrity because maybe one day, you too could walk down the red carpet...and that really would be a new you.

The Ipod

I've decided to choose the Ipod as my product for the topic 'New' I felt this best explained America's thrive for something better. There is at least one new ipod every year and each year the ipod continues to get better and better. Here are a few examples of the changes from 2001 to 2009:

These three examples show drastic changes to the ipod, the Apple corporation continues to develop with the launch of the iphone and other products which are still being developed such as the apple mac.

De Crevecoeur's 'Letters from an American farmer' discusses what it is to be an American, and how the farmer sees America as a country. The idea of a 'New' world is discussed as America had the opportunity to start from scratch and the county still wants to continue to get better today. America has almost become a brand with thousands of products being launched everyday or being developed to become newer and better. The ipod is one of these products which is now being sold all around the world, selling the idea of something 'New'.

New America - Apple

The website I have chosen is www.apple.com.

"What is an American?" De Crevecouer writes that an American is "We are all animated with the spirit of an industry which is unfettered and unrestrained, because each person works for himself" This is exactly why Apple have been so successful. The success story of Apple is down to its innovation, design and technology but it is also down to apples own employees who are, like "Pixar" employees , encouraged and celebrated in their risk taking and vision.

The apple store is home to the 'largest application store in the world', has just introduced 'the worlds first multi touch mouse' and is also home to the infamous 'i-phone', a phone that has seemingly ripped off by every other phone provider. To see how America is portrayed as 'exceptional' on this website, you don't really have to look much further than the homepage. Images of 'the new Imac', 'the new mac ad's', 'the new, mightier mac mini' dominate the homepage, letting us know that Apple is bigger and better and that seemingly, America itself is also bigger and better.

The "New American" the "Gillette Champions"

The Gillette Company


Worldwide manufacture and marketing of consumer products in the areas of grooming, batteries and oral care.

Products
Promotions
Grooming
Problems & Solutions
How to Shave
Thierry Henry
Hair Care


Follow the link above for the Gillette page, scroll around to the Gillette Champions window, click & enter the window. The page shows an array of superstars in the world of sport, all claiming to use the best products ie Gillette, as Champions.


The Gillette Company is one of the leading global suppliers in grooming & personal hygiene products, based in Boston Mass.

"They are a mixture of English, Scotch, Irish, French, Dutch, German ands Swedes. From this promiscuous breed, that race now called Americans have arisen..."

" What then is the American, this new man?"

I think what De Crevecoeur describes here about those who become American in this melting pot is shown by the stars in the Gillette Champions webpage. They are stars from far & wide claiming to use American products, that lead us the consumer's to think we can become a (New & Improved) being. We are encouraged because the Champions use it so we can too, perhaps suggesting that we can become a New Man, a Champion & American ??? Its very idealistic but that is apart of what America is an ideal.

De Crevecoeur also mentions that settlers who leave behind nothing & settle in America where they can make something, where no one can become someone.

"Formerly they were not numbered in any civil lists of their country, except in those of the poor; he they rank as citizens."

America as a nation loves the idea that people can become something, it loves to be competitive & so the idea of champions. So, to use the American product advertised using an American ideal with Champions recognised by America, is to include us as Americans in a way. Because the reality is we are exposed by 'Consumerism' & 'Globalisation', Selling ideals????

We meet Friday at 12 this week

Comments

I've put comments on each of the posts and I edited some of them to move the opening paragraph up to the top of the post - you should not just plonk down a quotation, introduce it first, then quote.  And, generally if you are going to quote, quote something substantial, not just a few lines.

Accounts From Two Irish Settlers

Below is the link to the website where I have chosen to base my blog on this week.

http://nationalhumanitiescenter.org/pds/becomingamer/growth/text4/irishpennsylvania.pdf

These are examples from two Irish Settlers, Robert Parke and Francis Cample.

The first example is a letter by Parke to his sister back in Ireland. Parke moved with his parents and several siblings in 1724 and writes to his sister about the wonder that is America.

"hoping it may find you all in Good Health, as I with all our family in Generall are in at this present writing, & has been Since our Arival, for we have not had a days Sickness in the family Since we Came in to the Country, Blessed be god for it, my father in Particular has not had his health better these ten years than since he Came here his Ancient age considered"

I believe that this may be the most telling of this example as already, even though the family have been there a year, they are able to report that they have not suffered from ill health unlike so many of the other settlers did. Later on in the letter he dismissed the rumour that they were not happy in America and in fact encourages his sister and brother-in-law to join them. Parke goes onto to describe the prices of items compared to Ireland and the difference in the ways of life such as clothes;

"Trowsers which are breeches & Stockings all in one made of Linnen they are fine Cool wear in Summer"

Parke was obviously one of the luckier early settlers as he seems to be enjoying his new life in America without the hardship that some of the others had to face.


My second example is journal entries from Cample's early beginnings in America. He has a different view on life and his entries are somewhat livlier too. He made the move to the USA and went on to become a successful merchant, farmer and land agent.

I'd firstly like to write about what attracted him to move to America in the first instance which I believe to be the attraction to alot of people;

"It is not the grandeur of rocks, cascades and romantic glens, but it is the beautiful panorama of forest and plain spread out in all their beauty which meets you everywhere, and which will, at no very far distant day, become the happy home of intelligent, God-fearing people, when the savage shall have passed forever from its borders. This is the kind of grandeur which surrounds me, and this is what attracted me hither."

He describes America as if it were a storybook, describing the vastness of the country and the beauty of his surroundings- a deciding factor if ever there was one. It is perhaps my last example however that turns the story book back into a reality, as the common dislike for the Native Americans or 'savages' is detail in his last enrty;

"A quarrel occurred last night out at the Spring amongst a party of drunken Indians, during which, four of their cabins were set on fire, and burned to the ground. One of the Indians, named Bright Star, a desperate man, was seriously injured in the fight, and will likely die of his wounds. I saw him not an hour ago, and considered him then in a dying condition. These savages will give us trouble yet."

A tragic situation, even if it was brought on by themselves through drink. Cample seems to keep a neutral attitude towards the situation, but concludes that as the Native Americans have caused trouble on one occasion, it will happen again and they should be wary. Causing a furtyher rift in a already frosty relationship.

Two very different tales from people who originate from similar backgrounds, providing a very interesting and telling read.