Thursday, January 28, 2010

Confirm-efutation

Confirmation
Assertion to be confirmed: President Truman was right in using the atomic bomb to end the Second World War

Encomium: Truman is a patriotic man that was devoted to his country

Exposition of the situation: On August 6th and August 9th of 1945, two hydrogen bombs were dropped in Hiroshima and Nagasaki obliterating everything and killing tens of thousands of people. The decision came on August 3rd where Truman authorized the usage of the a-bombs because the Japanese rejected the Potsam Declaration.

Certainty: It was known that extreme measures had to be taken in order for Japan to force them to surrender fully. The idea of sending in an invasion force would have been suicide.

Credibility: President Truman was determining various ways to limit casualties in the Alliance forces. He wanted to save as many people as possible.

Possibility: It is possible that the Japanese people were in no way involved in the war. The government itself was held responsible.

Consistency: Truman’s decision was consistent with the pressure and extremity that all presidents have to endure while in war.

Propriety: The timing of Truman’s decision was convenient because it shortened the war and saved the lives of soldiers

Convenience: Truman’s decision was legitimate because it ended WWII, saved lives, and prevent battles that could have happened for many more years.

Refutation
False assertion to be refuted: President Truman was right in using the atomic bomb to end the Second World War

Exposition of the situation: On August 6th and August 9th of 1945, two hydrogen bombs were dropped in Hiroshima and Nagasaki obliterating everything and killing tens of thousands of people. The decision came on August 3rd where Truman authorized the usage of the a-bombs because the Japanese rejected the Potsam Declaration.

Uncertainty: It was not certain that dropping an atomic bomb was the most ideological and efficient solution.

Incredibility: It is hard to believe that over 100,000 lives had to be lost for the sake of showing who is boss

Impossibility: It is impossible that Truman’s decision had no underlying emotions like revenge and fury.

Lack of Consistency: The war efforts of Truman’s were iffy at best and lacked efficiency.
Impropriety: President Truman actions were inappropriate. Killing innocent civilians living in a totalitarianistic government is not the wisest solution.


Inconvenience: The dropping of nuclear weapons is an inconvenience because of the chaos it evokes and the destruction it causes. The spontaneity of it is unbearable .

Thursday, January 21, 2010

That clever ol' guy

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



Ingeniousness is an art. Isocrates shows that this art is painted and written onto many different sayings. He, however, chose that that artwork of his is much more important than he was himself. His witty remark on education justifies this. Education itself is a very rough process; however, what is derived from that educations is what is beautiful. In old times, alchemists stated that in order to get something miraculous, something of equal value must be given. The same could be said in education. Ergo, education is not without its sacrifice. It is not a mere physical sacrifice, but it involves something more. One cannot be wise and innocent at the same time. The path to become educated is its sacrifice. It is a rough and dangerous road, but at the end, the reward is worth it. However, whenever there is a right way there is also an easy way. Through the easy way, the end of the path becomes closer. However, once the easy path is taken, one realizes that the easy way yields no rewards. Nothing is lost; therefore, nothing is given. This consideration helps understand that Isocrates was true to his word when saying "the root of education is bitter." Sports are parallel to this. Without the sacrifice given in practice, there is no outcome. Thus, Isocrates could be considered an alchemist of sorts. Without the sacrifice in the practice of learning, wisdom is not reached. Witty Isocrates talks about education in such a clear manner that his wisdom is marveled.

Wednesday, January 20, 2010

Not this again...

Technology is the future, but it is once again getting the short end of the stick. Supposedly, we students are spending more and more time texting, playing video games, going on the computer, and listening to music everyday. What we DON'T hear, however, is that students are using technology for school as well. In fact, some schools use technology for just about everything. Ironically, we are still blamed for "having our lives ruled by technology." This paradox is not addressed, and what I wonder is why technology is such a bad thing in the first place because news stations, ironically show this issue on TV all the time...

Tuesday, January 19, 2010

about me

Hello Everybody!
My name is Josh and I am a rhetorician. A few of the things I enjoy are running, lifting weights, and playing/listening to music. I am considering being either a physics or math major and I am planning to go into medicine. Over the course of the semester, I plan to become better at writing and arguing.

I admit that I am not a lover of English. In fact, if I did not like the professor of this course, I would not be taking it. :P
 
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