AOW 3 Iran hikers: 'We lived in a world of lies and false hope'

http://www.cnn.com/2011/09/25/us/us-iran-hikers/index.html?hpt=hp_t1




This article focuses on the three American hikers that were captured in July of 2009 and held captive in an Iranian prison. After 781 days of living in a unsanitary jail cell, the final two hikers were released. The hikers state that they were not taken for crossing Iranian territory,but for the matter of being American. 

The exigence of this pieces is to explain that freedom is very valuable. Life in confinement and being stripped from freedom to the outside world is unbearable.  Considering the release of the female hiker one year prior till now due to health concerns, all vowed that they are not free until all three are. 

The purpose for this piece was to address the welcoming home of the hikers and to express the built up emotions of confinement, freedom, a new life, and endless lies. The hikers were promised that they were to be represented by a lawyer and never were. Worst of all, investigators told them that their families had stopped writing letters. One of the hikers claims that they could not forgive the Iranian government due to the fact that they imprison so many innocent people. 

This piece speaks to all US citizens. It explains the brutal life American citizens had to face  for crossing over an imaginary line.  The authors of this piece, Susan Candiotti, Todd Baxter and Mohammed Jamjoom are credited authors who work for CNN. CNN is a well known news source that provides society with accurate and current world news. The authors effectively incorporate the use of dialog. They include multiple statements made by the hikers which enables the reader to get a understanding of what their life was like. The authors successfully accomplish their purpose, for readers are able to develop sympathy for the hikers. 

AOW2- Congress Takes a Vacation- Political Cartoon

http://politicalhumor.about.com/od/politicalcartoons/ig/Political-Cartoons/Congress-Takes-A-Vacation.htm

Work frequently found in the Washington Post, the credible cartoon artist Clay Bennent essentially incorporates the use of drawing to signify the views reflected upon the United States Congress. Having been recognized for his professions and artistic ability, Bennent has received numerous awards. The cartoon titled “Congress takes a Vacation” focuses on the fact that Congress decided to “take a vacation” at a time of need and desperation.

            The cartoons subject deals with the increasing rate of unemployment in our world, and the decision made by Congress to not take this matter into consideration. The accumulating line of people standing outside the unemployment office cannot understand why Congress decided to “take a break” when they were barely doing their job in the first place.     

What the author is trying to portray is that as time passes, more and more people are becoming unemployed. It is Congress’s job to stop this matter from emerging, yet they are not responding to this concern and feel they need a break from their governmental duties.

            The cartoon generally focuses on all the people living here in the United States. It includes those who are employed and those who are not. This matter is addressing the fact that unemployment is rapidly increasing and Congress does not want to take action. People who currently have a job, may not in the near future.

            The author was successful in using the appeal pathos. He understands how the people in our society feel and thoughts against Congress. A connection on a personal level is developed through the establishment of the purpose of the cartoon and the emotions of the reader. 

Independent Reading Assignment Book Choice

Title: In the Land of Invisible Women

Author: Quanta A. Ahmed, MD

Book Sections:

1.     pages 1-109

2.     pages 110-219

3.     pages 220-329

4.     pages 330-437(end)

The reason for why I chose this book is due to its unique storyline and insight to a world unknown. I feel that the journey of Doctor Ahmed to Saudi Arabia will change her life drastically. She will be faced with challenges that women here in the United States do not face. I am interested in finding out how she reacts to her new life and the impact it makes. Reading this book will be enjoyable and mind opening. It will illustrate to me that my life in America as a free woman is very valuable. 

AOW 1- Artificial Pancreas for Type 1 Diabetes Moves Closer to Reality

http://news.health.com/2010/04/15/artificial-pancreas-type-1-diabetes-moves-closer-reality/

Growing closer to finding a cure for Type 1 Diabetes, researchers are working on the development of an artificial pancreas. The purpose of this invention is to free Diabetics from having to constantly inject themselves with insulin. The device contains two hormones found in the human body, beta cells and alpha cells.  Beta cells help prevent ones blood sugar from rising, where as alpha cells produce glycogen allowing the blood sugar not to drop. 

Researchers performed several experiments on people affected with Type 1 Diabetes. Results indicated that blood sugar levels were normal. Having hope for the near future, researchers working on this invention strongly believe that the artificial pancreas will be fully developed soon. Aaron Kowalski, assistant vice president for glucose control research and research director of the Artificial Pancreas Project for the JDRF is speaking to those living with Type 1 Diabetes that,  “The goal of an artificial pancreas is to try to restore normal physiology as closely as possible, and this study demonstrates that this technology is real, and it’s good in real people.”

            A rhetoric element that is effectively used in this writing was pathos. The writer has a sense of what people with Type 1 Diabetes deal with and the excitement that grows while reading this article. She provides myself with optimism that there is a possibly that I may be able to free myself from living with Type 1 Diabetes.

 The author of this article Serena Gordon, a reporter for Health Day, spent her time effectively by interviewing multiple researchers working on the pancreas and gathering the results from trials that were performed on real people. These vital elements are what made this writing well explained and effective.