Difference between Papers 2 & 3

The biggest difference between the two papers, for me, was researching. I was really passionate about my topic and I wanted to present the best information that seemed very relevant to my argument. Also, I wanted to make sure that what I was presenting wasn't just a pro-marijuana stance, but rather a thought provoking piece about the bonuses of legal marijuana sales. Also, since I didn't have any pictures to add, it made the topic easier to write, since finding pictures that I wanted, without being stock photos, seemed a little harder than I thought. A big bonus for me was that writing this paper gave a bit of a confidence booster, since I never thought of myself as a writer. All in all, I thought that it was a fun paper to write. I guess, if you are writing something that you're passionate about, then writing can be fun, albeit tedious. 

Paper #3 Rough Draft

                                                   A Look at Marijuana Tax Revenues
     Since the film, Reefer Madness and other anti-marijuana propaganda, the United States has had a love-hate relationship with marijuana. It has been the subject of major debates throughout the years and to this day the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) continues to list marijuana as a Schedule I drug. Schedule I drugs, according to the DEA, have no currently accepted medical use and have a high potential for abuse. With Colorado’s historical vote in 2012 and their ground-breaking regulations, Colorado’s recreational marijuana sales and the way that they use the tax revenues have revolutionized and set the standard on how other states can use the tax revenue to make large improvements to their own state.
      When Colorado legalized marijuana for personal use, the state government established policies that would use the tax revenues from sales to fund specific programs. According to the Colorado Department of Revenue, the largest beneficiary of marijuana tax revenues are public schools. While it may seem counterintuitive to fund public schools, this is a perfect example of how to properly use tax payers money to support our children. Normally, Colorado’s public schools are largely funded from local property taxes, however, since the economic downturn of 2008, the state had to come up with a way to continue to fund public schools without raising property taxes or sales taxes. When the ballot measure to legalize marijuana came round, public schools were on the top of the list of programs to be funded.
      The other states that have yet to ratify their own state’s constitution for legal marijuana sales could benefit from Colorado’s example of how to properly use the funds. One example of using the Colorado template is Oregon. Oregon approved recreational marijuana sales on 1 July, 2015. While there are no sales taxes on marijuana sales in Oregon, the state requires that individual businesses must pay 17 to 20 percent taxes and medicinal marijuana stores must pay 25 percent in taxes for recreational sales. Those revenues are then divided between schools, which receive the highest percentage at 40, then to other programs such as police funds and mental health services. So what does this mean for other states that are considering recreational marijuana sales? While marijuana is still federally illegal, there has been a large shift in how the American public view marijuana. By Oregon and Colorado using the funds from marijuana sales to fund public schools and to provide mental health services are great examples of how to move forward and provide more for our youth and those who require mental help.
       One argument against the legalization of marijuana is by allowing public schools to benefit from the sales of marijuana, it may send the wrong idea to impressionable children. In an interview with VICE News, Kevin Sabet said, “You're allowing the sale of marijuana which is going to hurt kids and school outcomes, but you're using the money to help kids.” The point that he is making is that using those funds to support schools, it gives children the idea that marijuana use is okay, but at the same time the state government is funding their school. However, Colorado has set aside a large amount funds for marijuana education and prevention campaigns. Through education, children will learn the hazards of marijuana use and all the applicable laws associated with marijuana.
      One teacher from Colorado wrote why she was opposed to legal marijuana sales. In an article for the Huffington Post, Christina Blair said that she had noticed a notable down turn in one of her students. She says that in a two month period, her student went from being a good student, with a bright disposition and when succumbing to peer pressure, his grades dropped, started skipping class, and appeared to be “zoned out” when he actually would show up to class. While, the accessibility of marijuana to children is subject to debate, the same could be said about alcohol, which a topic for another day. However, Colorado has programs it has since established to help possible at-risk children.
      Colorado recently had an accounting error on it taxes, in which $66 million dollars were the subject of a recent vote. The voters of Colorado overwhelmingly voted, 70 percent, to give back that money back to the state in which it would spend on programs specifically aimed at children. In an online article from attn.com, Colorado will spend $40 million on school construction, $2.5 million on marijuana education and prevention campaigns, $2 million on bullying prevention, $2million on drop-out prevention grants, $2 million on youth mentoring programs, $1 million on poison control centers, and $1 million for local government marijuana impact grants. The one very important program that is gaining an additional $500,000 is Colorado’s substance abuse screening, intervention and referral program. This program will help those people with addiction find the resources they need to help improve their lives. Additionally, many Americans have been calling for better mental health resources and services in light of recent high profile attacks perpetrated by people who were deemed to be mentally handicapped or ill.
       Spending $40 million on school construction, the people of Colorado set the precedent by effectively saying that education is the most important thing to them. Allocating the funds received from marijuana sales for school construction helps students by alleviating high student to teacher ratios, allowing a better learning environment for children to learn. The funds may also be used to improve classrooms and add incorporating newer technology to help students. Colorado voters showed the rest of America that it clearly has its children and their future clearly in the forefront of their collect minds. Also, these children will have brighter futures with the incorporation of modern technology into their classrooms. A world of possibilities exist when children are exposed to modern technology at a young age.
     The examples set for by Colorado and Oregon, other states such as Ohio, who recently voted against the legalization of marijuana, could easily create their own amendments to their Constitutions for which to follow. Alaska is currently creating their framework in which how to regulate and tax marijuana recreational sales. Looking at an article from USA Today, there are eleven states in which are projected to legalize recreational marijuana sales. Massachusetts, California, Nevada, New York, Vermont, Minnesota, Connecticut, Maryland, Rhode Island, Maine and Delaware could all potentially benefit from an increase in sales tax revenues. If these eleven states look to Colorado or Oregon as excellent examples for which to establish their own amendments, these states influence could lead to the United States government changing the established marijuana laws and ushering in a new generation of tax revenues.
      Colorado is projected to earn $125 million in tax revenue from recreational marijuana sales this calendar year. This exceeds all projections and will most definitely help lead to greater improvements through out the state. With highly lucrative business models established throughout Colorado, Washington and Oregon, legal marijuana sales presents itself as the next cash crop in which America can benefit and improve our schools, mental health facilities and other programs.

In-class lab 11/19/2015

Spriggs analysis

1.      The Sprigg’s essay is Sprigg’s forming and sharing her opinion on local grown organic produce. Her opinion was expressed that the advantages of locally owned farms outweigh the disadvantages. She then presented very picky counterarguments that counter argued her point so her position looked stronger.

2.      The second article we analyzed was about the legalization of marijuana in Colorado. The article was more pro legalization of marijuana because the data supports that highway fatalities have decreased since the legalization of marijuana. Some counterarguments that they made were that the anti-pot group, SAM pointed out that even before the first legal pot store opened in Washington State, the number of driver in that state testing positive for pot jumped by one-third.

3.      The last article we analyzed was the unrealistic nature of Photoshop and people to what we accept as “standard”. It was mainly against it due to the number of facts represented in the article. For example, from the 1990’s to now, due to photo shopping there has been an 119% increase in eating disorders for children 12 years and younger.

4.      The Sprigg’s essay and our analyzed articles differentiate due to lack of counterarguments in the positive and/or negative positions. The articles are more statistical-based, rather than the Sprigg’s essay which is more observational. However, the Sprigg’s essay and the analyzed articles are all similar in the way that they all have a very strong stance and position on their topic.

PG. 100 Questions

1. The author is very convincing in her topic about buy locally. She supports her stance with the many examples of how local economies can be improved by consumers buying locally. Additionally, she establish the  importance of this topic by pointing out when purchasing local produce, you, as the consumer, will reduce the costs of shipping and ultimately reduce the amount of carbon emissions. Also, she incorporates her various sources as excellent backup in her making her point. 

2. The counterarguments that she incorporates into her paper say that food should be bought from where it grows the best, small farms are not as efficient as large farms, more farming equipment will be used when buying locally which can have a detrimental effect on the environment. She responds to each counterargument by using cited references that support her argument. 

3. The author's last paragraph is persuasive because it explicitly explains her point, has appropriate background information, uses good examples and wraps up main argument.

4. The pictures that the author uses, to me, do not back up her argument because three out four are just stock photos. She should have used pictures of an actual farmer's market or from farms that are local to her to reiterate the point in which she is making. By using stock photos it makes her article seem less interesting and the effort made in writing was diminished by using photos that are kind of close to what she was talking about. 

Ethos, Logos & Pathos and Summary of Video

I watched the AT&T video, "The Last Text." This video was very moving and powerful. It was presented through the eyes of the victims' families, a passenger, and a Missouri State Patrol Officer. Each short story related back to how texting and driving was the sole cause of their accidents and deaths or near-death experiences. This video is very important because each one of has been guilty of using their phone while driving and it will only be a matter of time before something as tragic as this can happen to us. The story of the young man, whose life was turned upside down because of his friend, who was driving at the time, was incredibly touching and, yet, very tough to watch because he reminds me of my nephew and in a few short years he, too, will be driving. The video pleads to your emotions as a parent to talk to your children about distracted driving and by using logic as the video says that texting can wait. This goes back to the reading that as an author, sometimes to get the point across, you have to appeal to people's emotions. Additionally, logic, such as facts and surveys, play important part in conveying one's ideas to his or her's audience. Also, by building on the common ground, distracted driving is dangerous, it brings the video back into frame by showing the families of two young girls and what they are doing since their loved one has past away. One family has made a ritual of celebrating their daughter's birthday every year since she has past and the other is the sister that would like just one more chance to say that she is sorry. The guilt by the sister and the celebrating is something that can be related to because if a family is in that position, they may find it hard to carry on without their loved one. The video and text go hand-in-hand because they demonstrate the ideal way to bring something that is important to everyone. 

In-class lab 11/10 Reading Sources Critically

In class analysis 11/10

Thesis: Advertisements generally strive to bring groups of people to consensus, appealing strongly to their emotions.

Peace Symbol Analysis.

The overall statement of both buttons is to reject war, and provide support for peaceful means of reaching agreement.

They make their statement through visual representation.

Left Button

·         The “melty” font of the statement creates the allusion of a melting heart, or one open to suggestions.

·         The circular peace symbol could represent the world, further explaining the buttons point for world peace. The outside ring is circular, meaning that it has no endpoints. This can be related to an eternity symbol.

Right Button

·         The peace symbol stands out against the black background. Putting down any thoughts of war.

·         The bold font makes their statement more prominent and credible.

Symbols of Patriotism

Eagle

·         The bald eagle is the nation’s national mascot.

·         The flag coupled with the eagle creates an even greater plea for patriotism. Seeing that the flag has been known to represent our country for ages. It an added sense of loyalty and pride.

·         The piercing eye is ever watchful. In protecting its citizens and holding them accountable for their loyalty.

Bulldog

·         The English bulldog is Great Britain’s National mascot.

·         The dog standing on the flag is expressing protection.

·         Seems larger than its surroundings making it a more dominant force in the world..

French Wall

·         It’s the national motto of France.

·         Set in stone.

·         Camera gives the effect that they are watching over their people and keeping an eye on other countries.

·         The parallel line create a feeling of steadiness and reliability.

·         Brotherhood sets the image that they are all equal.

In-class Labs 11/10 How Things Mean

The use of the N-Word

Reading Sources Critically

1.       What arguments does the author make?

Schools, specifically high schools and how they aren’t teaching anti-racial topics the way they should be taught.

White people should never use the N-word, but black people can decide what the appropriate line is for them.

There are other ways to fight racism.

He makes it clear that he is analyzing the problem from a white person’s perspective.

2.       How persuasive do you find the argument?

His overall argument that black people can have their own conversations about when it is appropriate to use the n-word but that white people should never use it. He supports this with the example and further argument that teachers need to appropriately teach materials containing racial differences.  He addresses the point that some people make that black people and white people have a double standard with that word but history has been a double standard and people need to get over it. He uses the analogies of Jeff Foxworthy, Seinfeld, and referring to Jewish jokes.

3.       What is the author’s stance?

He is very clear that he is against any white person using that word in any connotation.

4.       Does the publisher bring a certain stance to the work?

Boston College is a catholic college and they could have taken religious values into consideration.

5.       Do you recognize ideas you’ve run across in other sources?

Yes, nearly form every large magazine including Time.

6.       Does this source support or challenge your own position – or does it do both?

It supports our opinions.

7.       What can you tell about the intended audience and purpose?

Audience definitely consisted of college students and the purpose was to generate conversation for the students there. Another purpose would be to reinforce the fact that y’all shouldn’t be using the word under any circumstance if you are white. The main purpose was to argue a certain point.