Graduation

Just wanted to thank Dr. Anderson for his great advice...a political communication minor. I've thoroughly enjoyed the classes in the minor, such as Scom 353. I enjoyed the open, relaxed discussion forum. Thanks for a great semester. The political communication minor has kept me well informed and up to speed on most political moments throughout the past two years. In this busy time of our life it's cool to be able to discuss politics and current events in a classroom...almost forcing us to reflect on the world (off our beautiful campus). 

Good luck to the class of 2008 and thanks again JMU. 

NPR: Sex or Gender

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyID=19128143 

Just adding to the previous blog about the race vs. gender topic...I recently listened to the NPR link above. The radio link asks the question...who's turn is it now? 

I believe these identity politics (where your education or family might have taught you to use sex/race as a political standard) is old fashioned. I think, I hope, today's younger generation is mostly looking at policies while making the 2008 political decisions. I think older generations, one's that may have lived through the struggles of women's suffrage and civil rights battles for African Americans, hold onto identity politics more than our younger generations who simply read about the historical challenges. 

I think it is cool that African Americans and women began a battle together in the 1900's, and today we see them once more making history together. Abolitionism and feminism have partnered throughout history, and I'm thrilled to see the progress has continued. 

So to answer the question: Who's turn is it now...who is more deserving? 

I don't think it has anything to do with race. I think it has to do with experience, charisma, and the campaigns' media strategy.  May the best candidate win...and let race and gender not be the reason why. 

Redemption

The subject of "political movies and their role of informing citizens" has come full circle and tied itself to our new subject of "conspiracy". Last night I watched, "Redemption" a movie that focuses on radical muslim terrorists in Northern Africa. With increasingly sophisticated explosives, our government takes a United States, NYU graduate hostage. He is believed to have been in contact with the terrorist group via phone calls. 

This movie is parallel to a resent political debate...the United States use of torture, Guatonoma Bay prisoners, and the rights of US citizens that are held. Do these detainees  deserve to be protected by the Bill of Rights and should they be given the right to Due Process: right to an attorney, a right to know the charges brought against them, a right to a public and speedy trial? 

I thought this movie introduced the public to the inhuman elements that these detainees may be facing. The victim (detainee) boarded an airplane in Africa and was removed at the airport in DC--his flight record was erased. CONSPIRACY--COVER UP. He was brought to an unknown location and the interrogation began.   I just thought it was interesting how these two subjects tied together. The movie also demonstrated waterboarding--a controversial debate topic in our political sphere right now. 

A stimulating movie...very timly. Check it out. In class you asked if anyone believed in conspiracies....well I believe that we don't know all the details about the jails which hold detainees and that possibly there are individuals covering up inhuman actions. I know too little about the subject, but I enjoyed having my eyes opened a little more and learning about this subject. I do think movies sometimes have a place in society to teach, if they so choose.