week 2 research, APA style references, and discussion

[snorko]

Week 2 researching reviews of Are we Rome? By Murphy, creating
annotated APA style references, using the online message board group
for the course, and discussing ideas with the class

Please work with a partner or two for this activity designed to assist
students in understanding Murphy's text and preparing of essay 2.

1) review the notes prepared by the instructor for Murphy's ch.1,
Capitals;

2) select a point from chapter 2 or 3 to research in a fashion similar
to the week 1 research and the notes for ch. 1 provided by the
instructor;

3) search online for more information on the selected point from
chapter 2 or 3 and prepare notes in the fashion used in week 1:

a) one point you like about the point from the chapter or the
information on the website;

b) one point you don't like about the point from the chapter or the
information on the website;

c) one point you like about the book that you don't understand from
the review and would like to research further;

4) check APA style for in-text citation and references page (of many
sites available, one is http://www.dianahacker.com/resdoc/ ); see
also
the following site on annotated references (http://
www.library.cornell.edu/olinuris/ref/research/skill28.htm)

5) open the word processor and prepare an APA style reference for the
review followed by your notes from 3a, b, and c above;

6) post your notes on this Google group;

7) present your ideas to the class.

[Louie T.]

Louie T.

Gahgan, S., dir. Syriana 2005
(Corruption scene, between characters Danny Dalton and Bennett
Holiday)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=apM0d3M-sps&feature=related

I like this scene very much because even before I knew it was in
Murphy's chapter it is one of the first things that came into my mind
when pondering some of the points Murphy was dicussing. I believe this
movie clip to be a very clear example of how "the fixers" are so
intertwined in "beltway politics."

My only 'gripe' with the particular chapter is that I wish Murphy
would have gone more in depth into the discussion of 'corruption' and
business because these are so much more important in the macro sense
to understanding why we have the issues that are present.

I don't understand the people who conduct these immoral acts and
defend them by saying they are actually doing good for the nation.

[Phil K.]

Philip Korsun

Emperor Hadrian. 2008, Jan.27. Hadrian’s forum. Daily Kos.
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2008/1/27/185456/529/751/443696

1. One thing that was great about this article was that the author
went into why some places have the names they have. For example, he
explained that Cincinnati Ohio was named in honor of the great
Cincinnatus
2. The fact that the author claims that George Washington was like
Cincinnatus is a point I didn’t like. George Washington was in reign
for 8 years. Cincinnatus for 15 days.
3. What is the difference between the Roman Empire and the Roman
Republic? I don’t understand this point.

[NatanAviel]

Natan A. Fisher

Gibbs D. Jan. 2002 Forgotten coverage of Afghan "freedom fighters"
Extra!
http://www.fair.org/index.php?page=1094
Article on the U.S. support of Afghan rebels in order to fight the
Soviets.

Something i liked about this article was the detail it went
into about how the media was hiding what was really going on,
and how the truth was altered to support the so-called "freedom
fighters"

It was hard to find something about the article which I didn't like
about the article, it was very objective and went into great detail
about the topic.

Something which I didn't fully come to understand from the article was
the amount of support which the U.S. provided. I would like to
research further into
how much funding was given used in Afghanistan.

[Jaewoo Y]

Jaewoo Y

Jaewoo Y
Conetta, C. (2007, March 26). America Speaks Out: Is the United States
spending too much on defense? Project on Defense Alternatives.
http://www.comw.org/pda/0703bm41.html

This is an article about the United States' military spending and the
economic concerns. The author claimed about the excessive military
spending of the United States. One thing I liked about this article is
that the author’s comparative perspective. He compared Bush’s $647.3
billion request for FY2008 with post-Cold War low-point in national
defense spending which represents a 75 percent real increase. One
thing I didn’t liked is that the author only claimed the problem and
didn’t suggest any solution. Other thing that I didn’t understand is
the spending vs. strength, which one would be the answer.

[Linda N.]

De Avila, J. 2008, Jul. 28. War games: Army lures civilians by letting
them play soldier. The Wall Street Journal.
http://online.wsj.com/public/article/SB121721198768289035-yJTjsyGU_fRC5RSMDSEmCAP30So_20080828.html?mod=tff_main_tff_top

What I like about the article is how the author uses interesting
quotes people say. For example, "Beer companies have hot women. They
have a videogame." I also like the fact that there is also a video
that let you see how the games are like.

What I don't like and don't understand is the fact that the military
spends about $9 million to make videogames. Does it cost that much?
What a waste of our tax dollars.

[joe]

Joseph Lee

Nijs, J. D. 2007, December 27. The End of the American Century. The
Moderate Voice. Retrieved August 7, 2008.
http://themoderatevoice.com/places/europe/the-netherlands/16873/the-e...


a) What I liked about the editorial is that Nijs goes in details
and
illustrates what the situation is in America with its budget. He
explains most of budget in America is spent on military and this
could
mean serious trouble.
b) What I didn’t like about this editorial is that the editor
fails to
draw any positive aspects of military spending, but is rather
pessimistic of the direction America is headed.
c) What I didn’t understand about this article was the
statement,
“Across the globe, America has lost its popularity and authority,”
which I believe is too quick to judge. I think that there should be
more in depth research on this particular topic.

[snorko]

students' collected research:

Young K.
View profile
More options Aug 6, 4:47 pm
Meehan, T Martin Rep. May 1, 2007, HR 2095:
To amend Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995
U.S. House of Representatives

a. I like that they reduced the amount usable from $100k to $50k
b. I dislike that it is still so much money
c. I don't understand what the money is being used for

Reply Reply to author Forward Rate this post:


khadijah
View profile
More options Aug 7, 3:37 pm
U.S. Government To Discontinue Long-Term, Low-Yield Investment In
Nation's Youth. The Onion. Sept 24, 2003. Retrieved from
http://www.theonion.com/content/node/29531

What I like about the article is that it is very ironic and well
written, criticizing America's lack of importance on education
spending in a humorous way.

What I do not like about the aricle is that it seems to argue that
America does nothing for education, even though American's aree pretty
well educated in comparison with the rest of the nation.

Some references the article made I did not understand.

erin
View profile
More options Aug 6, 5:44 pm
This was a very interesting article about privatization which was
discussed in chapter 2 about corruption.

One thing that I liked about this particular article was that it
discussed in depth about privatization and some of the reasons behind
it. It also talks about some of the affects of privatization as
well.

One thing that I didn't necessarily like is that the article isn't
very current, it was written in 1995. I would have loved to have been
able to find something this in depth that was written a bit later.

I liked how the book talked about corruption, and in this case
privatization and it's possible negative effects it could have on the
United States. I would love to find more information about this.

Wessel, R. H. 1995, Oct. 1. Privatization in the United States.
Business Economics
http://www.allbusiness.com/management/527724-1.html

[snorko]

essay drafts by Oliver, Yancy, and Khadijah

View profile
More options Aug 7, 3:59 pm
APA Essay 2 Oliver Anderson 08/06/08

English 101
O’Connell

In his 2007 book, “Are We Rome ?” Cullen Murphy
Compares
Our society today to the fall of the Roman Empire . Chapter 1 “The
Capitals” “Where Republic Meets Empire” Explains the many soldiers
and
leaders who helped contribute to the decline of the Roman Empire .
Murphy strongly shows the unmistakable similarities between soldiers
and leaders of various time periods all involving a force fighting
and
struggling to keep the Monarchy and order of their country. Such as
how Rome ’s final emperor Romulus was so easily defeated by Odoacer
the barbarian mirroring President Bush’s difficulties with Al Queda.
Are comparisons in similarity between different time periods really
enough to offer solid ground of caution? Or to help us understand
why
the human race tends to be unable to rule decently but turns to
hypocrisy? Around the world when asked how they view the United
States of America most countries would answer the same. The U.S.A
is
so greedy economically and fundamentally. The Bush adminatration is
viewed as making the worst and most selfish dicisions regarding were
government dollars are spent and how work well with out foreign
neighbor countries. The United States of America is also viewed as
the bloodthirsty war mongers who show no mercy and kill or bomb any
Middle Eastern country for some remedial product or policies like
oil
and such. With all the news footage and foreign press, Other
countries view of the United States of America remains in tact with
bad morals that cause for a terrible country.

Ted Evans (2007, Artillary) Claims “We are all doomed…..” his
article
in ‘Artillery magazine’ explains that “as a consumer constricted
society we as a leader ruling nation are determined to decline”
Evans
claims learning from the mistakes of fallen empires of the past such
as Rome is pointless because the human race is to egotistically and
becomes to mad with power to continue any leveled form of
civilization
and how history probably will repeat itself because the left wing
heroes who offer ideas of change ultimately have zero decision
making
power. Evans does offer a valid argument. Hanson’s (2007, May28)
essay claims “….after 9/11, it has become popular once again to
compare the united states to ancient Rome ”. Another thing to
consider when evaluating view of self within the United States of
America , is the qualitys that the third world countries and the
Europeans chose to ignore. Alothough U.S.A has all this money it
does
not neccassarly have to be used for evil but rather for good. The
money is sometimes spend for improving our schools and our health
insurance as well giving donations to impoverished third world
countries. The power the country holds is capable of much more
negative retaliation. Diversity might be a strong point for the
United States of America that other countries are slightly weaker
than. There so much untapped diversity when it comes to race and
culture. Particulary in Los Angeles alone there are over 200
langueges spoken. This would confirm that in view of self within
the
country there is still optimisism.

Calvin Zenx makes an insightful notice his 2006 review of the
original
“300” graphic novel by Frank Miller, for the online comics Journal.
“Accepting a strictly accurate portrait of history is both lame and
irresponsible. Frank Miller’s concern with entertainment as opposed
to historical accuracy is a bold choice because people feel
depressed
and contrition when they are faced with thinking of themselves as a
falling empire.” Cullen Murphy’s “Are We Rome ?” remains the more
substantial work. Murphy’s work despite debate offers clear
unpretentious insight. His comparisons in similarity between Rome
and
other nations and time period such as When George Washington came
back
to fight for our freedom or Ceaser’s great grandnephew continuing
the
fight for Rome much later. Murphy’s ideals are clear and let us see
the disturbing truth flittered with specks of hope.

References

Murphy, C. 2007 “Are We Rome ” Mariner Books

Evans, T. 2007 “Artillery Magazine” Lookout Publications

Hanson, V May 28 2007. Pop Romanizing. National Review

Zenx C, June 13 2006. Online comic’s journal

http://www.comicsjournel.net/reviews/300/blue_mrks/14ps

Essay 2 short story

It is 476 A.D. A Confused Soldier is led by Odoacer the half Hun half
Scirian. Odoacer leads his army into the city of Ravenna . His
army
is to take down the Roman Empire with no questions asked. The
soldier
has no idea what he is fighting for. As he marches on in the
blazing
hot sun, being scolded by the metallic’s of his armor. He thinks
about how much he just doesn’t care. Everyone keeps throwing at him
reasons, statiscics, logic, law, and so many reasons why Rome should
fall or why it should not fall. Even when he tries he can’t seem to
care. All he thinks about is his family. He has a wife and two
young
daughters in a small village, in a small but humble pueblo which has
been in his family for generations. Who don’t know are care about
capitals or government but just being together. And safety is not
an
issue because he could move them to whatever location they could be
happy together in. While hearing the shouts of his commanding
officer
to press forward he flashes back to last week.

Lying in a wool hammock with the cool breeze of a palm tree his
grandfather planted. His beautiful wife is preparing dinner and his
daughter takes a break from helping to prepare supper to ask him a
question. “daddy why do want to kill people” He responds “I do not
want too it is my duty as a soldier and as you will learn as you
grow
older if you do not hold a certain statue of power you are forced to
do things that you would normally be against” “but daddy why cant
you
say no? Mommy thinks you might die!” she cries. “Unfortunately I do
not rule anything only my dear family and my home which I am quite
proud of” For the confused soldier that is all he needs to rule.
The
confused soldier’s wife comforts hime reasurring him that. We are
all
praying for you, I know will do what you have to even though do do
not
agree with what you are fighting for. We will will both share the
same moon and sea of stars. I will always think you dear husband
she
exclaims and I know you will make a safe return. Yet because he does
not rule Empire’s or city’s he is forced to is another lemming
marching aimlessly off a cliff into a pile of useless unsolved
death.
It does not matter how much he just does not care about Rome or
Greek
or any person or event involved with it. The thought of his
daughter’s wavy blonde hair and his wife’s homemade rice forces his
focus into an uninterrupted kill zone he now knows exactly what he
has
to do. While the ranks are called to halt General Odoacer lays down
the battle plan and the lone soldier mentally prepares himself for
something he dreads. The confused soldier looks over at the one
they
call Hoppers. A mentaly retarted soldier suffering an uncurable
brain
disease. Hoppers is forced to invade Rome dispite his condition yet
he shows more courage and honesty than any other soldier. Which is
why Hoppers is the only friend the confused soldier has confided in.

General Odoacer call the troops to halt and demands this to ready
their swords and load their crossbows. The confused soldier
reluctetly prepares his weapons and his mind for battle tring hard
not
think of his loved ones. Suddenly one row behind him Hoppers
adjusts
his crossbow when he accidently slips his fingers and fires a
piercing
arrow through the confused soldier’s neck. Blood spurting through
his
throat he is unable to speak clearly and drops to his knees.
Hoppers
runs to his friend and holds him in his arms. Hoppers with tears in
his eys begs the confused soldier not to die. And in his last
moments
of life he thinks of his family and how he didn’t even die with
honor
or dignity. His face hits the dirt covered in blood, his throat
tissues and vocal chords sprawled all over the ground the army does
not give him a second glance and they Hoppers as a weak link for
doing
this. General Odoacer has Hoppers stabbed in the heart. Both their
bloody corpes laying beside each other. The army marches on to
invade
the Great Roman Empire.
Martinez, Yancy
Ed O’Conell\
English 101, Section 1301
August 7, 2008


As Great As It Seems?

The role the all knowing, chosen peoples that are designated, and
obligated to help steer the world in the right direction has always
been a glove that fit very well on the hands of the American
mentality. Are We Rome? (Murphy, 2007) dedicated a whole chapter
(chapter 1) to this arrogant lens from which the U.S sees itself
through. An outlook, as well as an idea that has been evident since
the theory of Manifest Destiny first exalted from the settler minds in
the beginning of this nation, to the manipulative language used today
in President Bush’s speeches. The negative affects of such an outlook
are evident in many facets of America’s involvement history with the
world. The most prevalent, and recent example is the occupation of
Iraq, a situation that is presented to the American people, as well as
the rest of the world, as a task that is being driven by a pompous
sense of duty.
“We are the indispensable nation. We stand tall. We see further into
the future”- Madeline Albright (former secretary of state) (Murphy,
2007) that comment in itself embodies the minds of the people who rule
this country, and the position that they put America as a nation in.
The idea of anyone viewing themselves on such a high pedestal and
ignoring the immense interdependence of all countries and beings is
explanation enough for the countless amount of invasion the U.S has
performed. “The death rate in Iraq in the past 12 months has been the
second highest in any year since the invasion, according to figures
that appear to contradict American claims that the troop "surge" has
dramatically reduced the level of violence across the country.”(Stop
The War Coalition, 2008). A country that views itself in the right so
much, it is easy to understand how they could ignore the true
situation in Iraq, which does not add up to success to anyone other
than the Bush administration, and its supporters.
The inability to act upon mistakes, and the blow that it would send
to America’s ego in admitting its mistakes would be unthinkable to a
nation that is hell bent on keeping their image of perfection
untainted. Much like Vietnam, pulling out of Iraq would highly affect
the confidence that is already dwindling in the American government.
4,134 deaths have been accounted for in the category of American
soldiers, with more than 30,490 wounded. (Casualties in Iraq
The Human Cost of Occupation 2008). That is just the American side of
loss, not to mention the Iraqi deaths, which aren’t even accounted for
as efficiently and honestly as those of Americans. All of this is
justified by the strong, and keen impulse that our government has had
to spread their ideal of democracy across the world. Much like Rome,
in its prime, did as well. Rome suffered its fate, for many reasons
besides their idealistic, and elitist drive to conquer lands, but that
was one of the core reasons that caused many other economic,
militaristic, and social problems for them, that eventually led to the
crumbling of their once pristine image and importance in the world. It
ended their reign as a superpower.
It was the very thing that made rome so important, and made it such a
successful enitity, that eventually destroyed it. Its inability to
keep up with the supply and demand ;so to speak of resources, that was
caused by them spreading themselves so thin. Much can be said about
the similarities that Murphy speaks about when talking about Rome’s
difficult challenge of maintaining a strong , and large enough army,
to control and take care of land that was acquired by them. The United
States Army itself wass having a difficult time recruiting soldiers to
deploy to Iraq .
What often seems like the impenetrable mindset of arrive, conquer,
fix, save, acquire, that has occurred throughout American history,
could quite possibly lead to problems that will not be easily fixed in
the future. Problems that could one day lead the once great nation of
The United States to a mere memory, of what could have been. So young
in age, this country still has a lot to learn about itself and the
affects it has caused around the world. Taking a few more notes, and
being more conscious about its actions similarities with those of
Rome, more specifically, the negative ones, would deffinaltey not be a
bad idea. The United States would benefit more from paying less
attention to foreign affairs, and paying more attention to the
restlessness and problems brewing inside its own borders, its own and,
and most importantly, within its own people


Martinez, Yancy
Ed O’Conell
English 101, Section1301
August 7, 2008



Maddy sat watching the brightly lit television
screen that night, in her pink pajamas eating her Baskin Robins ice
cream. Wishing the world could be Simple. Wishing the world could be
Honest. There is so hope she thought to herself. The disillusion felt
within her bones and body was at a heartbreaking level. The bombs went
off. Her eyes welled up. She thought that her country was honest.
Daddy always said so. Daddy always told the truth. But daddy wants
home right now. Daddy was at work. If you would ask her little sistr
about their father, she would always reply “Iraq. Daddy’s in Iraq.,
with an innocence, with such a pure clueless sense of knowing and
comfort, as if Iraq were some type of store where daddy stocked
shelves. Maddy knew better. She knew the bombs killed. Children just
like her, Running crying, The country isn’t so great she though. The
country kill.

Thank you Mr. O Connel for allowing to post my essay late. I am
posting here as well just to be safe. Have a good night.

A long time ago, in a beautiful land of wealth and prestige, grew an
amazing nation, the greatest nation in the world. This nation was
the
baddest, the richest, and the most beautiful country in the world.
It
had the greatest military, with the greatest trainers, the greatest
weapons. The people of this great nation loved their military. Their
military could win any war, anytime, anywhere. They knew they could
protect any nation in the world. They knew they could beat any
nation
in the world. They had nothing to fear, for the world feared them.
No
one could outnumber them. Nobody would challenge them. They were
Admonitio. Little did they know that their least important area,
education, was to be their doom.
Admonitio’s army leader was a beauty. He was a Bulldog and Great
Dane
mix, tall and big and strong. He was extremely intelligent, of
course,
for he was American. He knew that his army was strong- but not
strong
enough. They needed to expand, and expand and expand! They needed to
be across all the countries of the world! He knew that their army,
once expanded, would be perfect. They only had 5 million soldiers,
but
soon he would expand to 100 million. He did not know how to do this
yet. But that was of no importance to him. He was American, he would
figure it out.
The other nations, the army leader thought sadly, have a poor
military. Many- no, all nations- had Chihuahuas as their military.
They were weaker, unfortunately. But America, he had thought, would
help them. They were AMERICA, where could they go wrong?
One day the army leader went to the president of the United States
and
the governor of California, Ignarus Adultus
Bulldog: “Mr. President, sir, we need more money for the military.
$89,544,434,043.99 is not enough!
President Butch: “Yes, the war in Uraq is almost close to
completion.
Just 11 more years and we will accomplish our goal.
Bulldog- “What is our goal?”
President Butch- “That is no importance. I would allow more funds,
but
the public already disagrees with me. “
In Approaches a security of defense.
Defense- “There are more riots about your defense pan, sir”
President Butch- “Nonsense, they know not what they are arguing!
Now,
why should I give you more funding?”
Bulldog: “Please, pretty please with sugar on top?”
President Butch: “Well, since we’re buddies, I’ll allow
$890,389,039,584,380,439, but that is it, you here? I’m already
feeling backlash from the public. Thank goodness John McCain is
running. WHEW!” ……..
Little did they know that their modest spending on the military
would
become their down fall.
A competition between Japan’s educational system and America’s, in
which the prize is world domination.
Host: Ladies and gentleman, I welcome you to the game of world
domination! Let’s see which nation is more equipped to rule the
world!
Lets meet our contestants: South Korea, who has invested in its
nation’s education, France, who has done the same, and Admonitio,
who
has invested in the military. Okay, question one- your country is
suffering a recession. What do you do?
South Korea- See if there is a trend in our spending that has
influenced the recession and address it
France- Make a 3D diagram of spending and create a diagram of
estimated spending, lower taxes.
Admonitio- More spending on military.
As Admonitio spends money on its military, Japan invades Admonitio
because the military was unable to read the signals, being deficient
in the art of computer map reading, which would have been provided
by
their school. The money went into super turbo powered machine guns.
The Japanese had fun with them and upgraded them.
So was the fate of poor, military obsessed Admonitio. Their military
might was no match for the power of Japan’s super intelligence. They
have MP10’s, after all, and the super Iphone 5. Military might did
not
help Admonitio, and so lies a once great, beautiful, and powerful
nation. Many years later, archeologists found remains of this once
great nation- military commands written in second grade English.