Debating Reacitons

I shared my opinion editorial with individuals belong to my ward. Over a long heated discussion on the topic, I was surprised that many people actually had a strong opinion on the way the Testing Center ran. It was funny at first to see how the reactions of best friends differed so differently from one another. I hadn’t ever realized the impact that a Testing Center paper could have on a bunch of college guys. The impact my paper had on them was surprising to me as a writer. I wasn’t sure I would have put some of the scenarios in my paper if I would have known the reaction from some of my peers. I was caught completely off guard when the guys actually transformed my idea into a complete masterpiece of brilliance. The ideas that were being shot out at the end of the discussion actually overwhelmed my paper and created a new way of looking at the existing Testing Center. Overall, it was a very interesting half hour. Honestly I had no idea that college students actually had such a strong opinion on a simple system.

Facts and Laughs

I chose to research more information about the article "Wal-Martian Invasion". I searched the author's name in google and found her Columnist Biography for the New York Times. This biography gave me a lot of her background information. Barbara Ehrenreich is a very accomplished writer. I found that she has authored a lot of books that usually have a socio-economic appeal. Also, I noticed that her articles and books often have a witty, interesting title. This is a sign that Ehrenreich usually writes in a sarcastic and satirical style. Ehrenreich's background information leads me to believe that she is writing for a somewhat informed audience that also wants to be entertained. Ehrenreich uses facts to support her argument such as "Wal-Mart fails at least five out of 10 criteria set by the Worker Rights Consortium". This shows that Ehrenreich is aware of the nature of her audience and uses these facts to establish her ethos. She also shows that she is sensitive to the fact that her audience wants to be entertained when she says, "Earth to Wal-Mars, or wherever you come from:Live with us or go back to the mothership."

Wal-Mart

I found the article “Wal-Martian Invasion” by Barbara Ehrenreich to be quite interesting and decided to do some further research behind the article. I researched information about the journal the article was originally published in and the intended target audience. “Wal-Martian Invasion” was originally published in a well-known Maryland newspaper, The Baltimore Sun. This daily newspaper company has your typical newspaper layout in that its sections include News, Opinion (editorial), Books, Business, Entertainment, Sports and Travel pages. Being published in a newspaper like The Baltimore Sun, it can be concluded that the target audience would be your everyday average person wanting to catch up on the daily news or maybe wanting to find out what upcoming movies got good reviews. The Baltimore Sun includes articles that capture their reader’s attention so that that person will want to read it and buy it. What affect does having this particular audience have on the article? The article is going to be a bit informal in its writing style so it can relate more effectively with its readers. No one wants to be lectured at when they read the paper in the morning. And you see this informal, more personal style in Ehrenreich’s writing. You see this when she associates Wal-Mart employees as “space invaders”, when she lauds Costco for having “native-born humans” for employees, and when she ends by telling Wal-Mart to “live with us or go back the mothership.” Her writing style fits the criteria for a newspaper in that it is enjoyable to read.

Wal-Martian Invasion

I read the article Wal-Martian Invasion. I then found out that it was originally published in the New York Times. On that same day there was another article published called THE LOOKING GLASS; Delegates Lean Left And Oppose the War. This article talks about a group of ten democratic delegates who met together in Boston; nine out of the ten of them thought that the United States should not have gone to war against Iraq. At one point the article says, "The war, Iraq and terrorism are not seen by the delegates as the most important issues in their states, the poll shows. Only one in six cited them as most important. Half of the delegates, on the other hand, said the most important issues were the economy and jobs, and one-third of all voters agree."


This indicates to me that one of the most important issues at this time, which was close to the 2004 election, was having good jobs available to many people. It makes sense that Barbara Ehrenreich wrote about Wal-Mart at this time because when jobs in our country are discussed, they talk about the right minimum wage and benefits for workers. Barbara found problems with the amount of payment Wal-Mart employees receive. These issues were at a kiarotic point. There was a lot of infomation being given to try to sway audiences one way or another. Because of this, her article was allowed to be very straightforward because it was a time of making decisions.

Wal-Martians

I decided to research the time period in which the article was written. The year was 2004, an election year so right away we know that the entire year was about politics. I googled wal-mart 2004 and clicked on the first link and found many articles about wal-mart and their involvement with the elections. The majority of the articles listed had to do with class action lawsuits against them or how they were the largest corporate political investor. Wal-mart was getting a lot of negative things said about them in this year. In the 8th paragraph the author mentions the class action law suits saying, "Wal-mart is facing class-action law suits over sex discrimination and nonpayment for overtime work..." This example, and others in the article, cover the same law suits and accusations as other articles written during that year. That said, it is obvious and undeniable that the time in which it was written played a major factor in content and rhetoric.

We Need Sincere Free Trade

Johan Norberg is a Swedish freelance writer. He is a liberal and has written many books on politics and issues of the world. He has a blog where he presents and explains his arguments for classical liberalism, free markets and globalization. Norberg's article explains the cruelty of Sweden's import barriers on developing countries. His Swedish background and passion for free trade builds his credibility, making his argument more convincing. Because Norberg is very passionate about what he writes about his article appeals to pathos. For example, he sates, "Eu protectionism deprives developing countries of nearly US$700-billion in export income each year. His wording and examples cause the reader to feel sympathy for developing countries.

Wal-Mart

I chose to do a little research on the author of "Wal-Martian Invasion."  My first instinct was to go on Wikipedia and type in her name.  I was interested in finding out her political beliefs to see if this had anything to do with her opinion on this particular topic.  What I found was that she is a feminist, socialist, and political activist.  Well that explains it.  This whole article is written from a very socialist point of view.  You can tell she hates the fact that Wal-mart has become such a monopoly.  One line that I think really proves this point is  found on page 130.  "...making Wal-Mart the world's largest sweatshop."  Even though workers get paid at least minimum wage in addition to benefits Barbara still feels like employees are treated like slaves.  But why should these people make more money?  If they wanted to they could go to law, business or medical school.  This is how you know she is a socialist.  

Average Outrage

The name of the man whose comments I had analyzed earlier is Paul K. (this was all that he left on his comments.) Since his comments were made on a blog I assume that he is an average citizen in the United States that is concerned about the issue of federal money being used by organizations that are bias in hiring. I find this fact to be something that , to some extent, we can all relate to. Because of this, I think this man's comments were directed to those minds whom he felt were not yet decided. He did this by stating arguments that, to him had some sort of sound foundation for his argument. He also was very forceful as a whole when it came to stating his argument.

Wal-Martian Invasion

Barbara Ehrenreich is a successful writer. She has written 13 different books, one of which is a New York Times Bestseller, Nickel and Dimed. She also is constantly contributing to the New York Times, Harpers, Time, and the Progressive. With this being the case she is constantly writing about the country as a whole and letting us know of current issues. This is what helps makes this article, Wal-Martian Invasion, a good one. Her ethos is incredible, although she doesn't tell us in the article about herself it is extremely easy for us to search the Internet about Ehrenreich. Also because she is always writing it is easier for her to get facts that some of us could never find, for example; in the third paragraph of the article she is talking about the growth rate of super centers, and she mentions that by her calculations by the year 4004  every square inch of the U.S. will be covered by super centers. 

"Wal-Martians"

Article: Wal-Martian Invasion

I did a little research on some of the other books Ehrenreich has written and one that caught my eye was "Nickle and Dimed: On (not) getting by in America". This book sounds very interesting and relates the same old story of millions of Americans who work at poverty level wages and barely get by. Most of the time, these workers have to work multiple jobs in order to keep up with the economy. In this book, Ehrenreich recounts her experiences of taking these low level jobs and trying to survive on the pay. This relates almost directly to the Walmart article because she speaks of how poorly the employees are treated there and how many of them are encouraged to get second jobs. I think by personally experiencing these destitute conditions, Ehrenreich is better able to relate with those who are suffering. I think this puts her in a position to argue on their behalf because she truly knows what they are going through. I think she is trying to appeal to those who aren't in such destitute conditions to consider what Walmart does to its employees. Maybe we will be motivated to shop somewhere else. Or will the lure of dirt cheap prices be too alluring?

Predicting the Depression

Gerard Jackson, an analysis for The Market Oracle, is an expert on analyzing the past and present Great Depression. Throughout the years Economic Analysis from Australia and the United States have predicted the depression years before the actual event hit. First, he explained the process in which our country inevitably hits inflation. He then brings it all together by explaining the struggle for work once inflation hits. After the example and lesson that the first depression should have given, Jackson brings all these points into the reasons why the depression is hitting the United States today. His tone is harsh against those who didn’t listen to the analysis this time around. He explains that the signs where there, the prediction was made and the government did nothing to stop inflation. This article definitely affects not just those citizens of the U.S., but any country with ties to the U.S. Gerard‘s style of writing is full of facts that support his claim and that the government failed to heed to the economies warning signs.

Ehrenreich's Writings

Ehrenreich's article about Wal-Mart and the problems associated with it, is much like many of her other books and articles. In 2003, Ehrenreich wrote a book titled Bait and Switch: The (Futile) Pursuit of the American Dream. This book, like her others attacks the socioeconomic problems in our country. It relates to the American public because it is about those who have struggled to gain the best education possible and get as much experience as they can, and yet they can't get a job. Her book is a satire of the problems this created. At this time in America, about 20 percent of middle class people had fallen on hard times. It definately pertained to many people's situation. Ehrenreich is not afraid to speak her mind and put things very bluntly. Her style of writing definatley captures the reader's attention.

Wal-Mart Nickeling and Diming

I found that Barbara Ehrenreich is a well published author. Originally obtaining a degree in physics and a doctorate in cell biology she became a political activist. She has written several books all of political issues facing our country. She has also written in Time magazine and The New York Times. She wrote one book specifically entitled Nickel and Dimed. The basis of this book was to see if it is possible to live on what the United States has declared as the minimum wage. Her entire article about the “Wal-Martian Invasion” seemed to be an extension of the previously mentioned book. Specifically she points out that more than half of Wal-Mart associates cannot afford health insurance offered by Wal-Mart and that Wal-Mart encourages its employees to apply for government welfare and food stamps. From the beginning this was a biased outright attack on Wal-Mart.

Wally World and it's Analysis

Wal-Martian Invasion

After reading this article, I went online and researched the author's name on Google. Through the website posted above, I found that she is very interested in social inequalities and left her comfortable lifestyle to experience what life is like for a, "divorced single mother working in Wal-Mart." This applies to her article because it shows that she went to work for Wal-Mart with an ulterior motive. She doesn't understand what it's like to be a real "divorced single mother" because she isn't one, and at the end of the day she could go home to her family and comfortable lifestyle. She joined the lower-class American workforce in an effort to find examples in our world of social inequality, and she just happened to pick Wal-Mart as her victim. This point is proven by examples from her article; she mentions that while working at Wal-Mart she met a woman that couldn't afford to buy a $7 polo shirt. I find that this information is not directly related because she fails to recognize other reasons why this woman may not have been able to buy a shirt, but rather just jumps to the fact that Wal-Mart exhibits a great deal of social inequality to their workers. At one point she even refers to Wal-Mart as a sweatshop! Although Wal-Mart may not offer as many benefits or as competitive a wage as other employers, they still offer people who may otherwise not be able to get a job, the ability to have some kind of income. Usually the people who greet you at the door are elderly or disabled and would have a difficult time finding a job somewhere else if Wal-Mart did not provide one for them. Yes, I understand that their wages are unbelievably low, but for many people, it gives them a chance to learn and then move on to a place of higher standing and opportunity.

O the Oppression Some Face!!!

Put the Money Where Their Mouths are:

With Democrats on the warpath over trade, there's pressure for tougher international labor standards that would try to put Abakr Adoud out of work.

Abakr lives with his family in the desert near this oasis in eastern Chad. He has never been to school and roams the desert all day with his brothers, searching for sticks that can be made into doors for mud huts. He is 10 years old.

It's appalling that Abakr, like tens of millions of other children abroad, is working instead of attending school. But prohibiting child labor wouldn't do him any good, for there's no school in the area for him to attend. If child labor hawks manage to keep Abakr from working, without giving him a school to attend, he and his family will simply be poorer than ever.

And that's the problem when Americans get on their high horses about child labor, without understanding the cruel third world economics that cause it. The push by Democrats like John Kerry for international labor standards is well intentioned, but it is also oblivious to third world realities.

Look, I feel like Scrooge when I speak out against bans on sweatshops or on child labor. In the West, it's hard to find anyone outside a university economics department who agrees with me. But the basic Western attitude -- particularly among Democrats and warm-and-fuzzy humanitarians -- sometimes ends up making things worse. Consider the results of two major American efforts to ban imports produced by child labor:

In 1993, when Congress proposed the U.S. Child Labor Deterrence Act, which would have blocked imports made by children (if it had passed), garment factories in Bangladesh fired 50,000 children. Many ended up in worse jobs, like prostitution.

Then there was the hue and cry beginning in 1996 against soccer balls stitched by children in their homes (mostly after school) in Sialkot, Pakistan. As a result, the balls are now stitched by adults, often in factories under international monitoring.

But many women are worse off. Conservative Pakistanis believe that women shouldn't work outside the home, so stitching soccer balls is now off limits for many of them. Moreover, bad publicity about Pakistan led China to grab market share with machine-stitched balls: over the next two years, Pakistan's share of the U.S. soccer ball market dropped to 45 percent from 65 percent.

So poor Pakistani families who depended on earnings from women or children who stitched soccer balls are now further impoverished.

I'm not arguing that child labor is a good thing. It isn't. But as Jagdish Bhagwati, the eminent trade economist, notes in his new book, ''In Defense of Globalization,'' thundering against child labor doesn't address the poverty that causes it.

In the village of Toukoultoukouli in Chad, I visited the 17 girls and 31 boys in the two-room school. Many children, especially girls, never attend school, which ends after the fourth grade.

So a 12-year-old boy working in Toukoultoukouli has gotten all the education he can. Instead of keeping him from working, Westerners should channel their indignation into getting all children into school for at least those four years -- and there is one way that could perhaps be achieved.

It's bribery. The U.N. World Food Program runs a model foreign aid effort called the school feeding program. It offers free meals to children in poor schools (and an extra bribe of grain for girl students to take home to their families). Almost everywhere, providing food raises school attendance, particularly for girls. ''If there were meals here, parents would send their kids,'' said Muhammad Adam, a teacher in Toukoultoukouli.

School feeding costs just 19 cents per day per child.

So here's my challenge to university students: Instead of spending your energy boycotting Nike or pressing for barriers against child labor, why not sponsor school meals in places like Toukoultoukouli?

I spoke with officials at the World Food Program, and they'd be thrilled to have private groups or individuals help sponsor school feedings.
4. Post a paragraph which includes: what article you choose; the researched information that you found; and your analysis of how this affects the content or approach of the article, with at least one specific example.


Nicholas D. Kristof is a prestigious New York Times Op-ed columnist. He has written many articles against South Asian sex slave trafficking and the lack of education in those areas. He has become quite renown for fighting against prostitution and child labor. His solution is to bring education to these areas and these problems will be less severe. The article i am writing about, Put your money where their mouth is, is about these said issues. He has been very consumed by these issues. It was first published in the NY Times on April 3, 2004.

In 1993, Congress proposed U.S. Child Labor Deterrence Act which blocked imports of good made by children. This caused the laying off of 50,000 children. Kristof then notes that these children probably had to thus go into more shady business such as prostitution. And here we see his rant and fetish for prostitution. Through his experience he has seen what leads to such things and he knows that unemployment will do this to people.