College Football Champion?

In most professional sports the best team is determined through a tournament or playoffs that match the best teams up and eventually whittle them down until only one remains; the champion. College football has never followed this formula and has opted instead to rely on polls, computers, and now the Bowl Championship Series. Since its inception, the BCS has often resulted in controversy and argument over who really is the National Champion. Many claim that this system is unfair to most teams, and the majority of conferences. Even the United States Congress has become involved to try and solve this problem.

The audience I wish to address this issue to is the BCS committee but still appealing to college football fans in general. The committee is the group that ultimately makes the decisions about who can be involved with the BCS bowls and crowning the “champion” so I feel that an appeal to them could potentially have the greatest effect. My relationship to the audience is as a fan of college football who feels the current system is ineffective and unequal. A few genres that would work to address them would be through an open letter to all college football fans, letters specifically to them, and blog posts about the issue.

Obamas Health care plan

An issue I wish to address is that of Obamas Health care plan, which is a issue that seems to be very debatable and one I feel strongly about. My stand is on the side of opposition to his plan. I feel that the more we move to socialized anything the more "less american" we become. There is a reason we have such great quality of health care in america compared to the rest of the world, there is a reason doctors are willing to go through 12+ years of schooling, going into massive debt and working and studying harder that most other professions. There is a reason they want to be the best at what they do, and thats competition. If we were to socialize our health care we would have health care much like Canada and Australia, and where do the citizens of Canada come when they need Quality health care. When a kid needs a serious surgery... the USA! Because the doctors have to be good in order to do well in there profession. If there not, no one will go to them.

Also there comes the issue of paying for this Health care plan. The claim is made by Obama that taxes will not be raised. But he never explains how that is to be. What will happen is hard working people will have a raise to there taxes sometimes paying for the health care of people who don't even work (by choice) and spend there money on things that end up getting them in the hospital; Drugs, Alcohol, etc.

My audience I will be addressing will mainly be the whole american people, specifically those who can vote and are supporters of Obamas health care plan. And also those who are in positions of political attention and persuasion. My relation to them is that I'm just a american citizen like them. Genres I might use to reach them is YouTube clips showing the quality of health care of Canada and other socialized health care countries compared to that of Americas, also Articles in Magazines and news papers. Also use the addiction of America... Facebook.

Lack of Human Contact

One issue I might like to address is the dissociation of humans in the modern world. This has bothered me since my days in middle school when everyone started to get cell phones and laptop computers. Many of the youth my age stopped calling one another and speaking to one another face-to-face and started to text one another and simply instant message or email one another. It seems to have further affected people because even here, in my BYU community, I have noticed this (especially in my classes and my social circle). People no longer ask for notes from people in person or study together, rather they send mass emails to their classmates and send notes and study guides around online. I believe that this needs to be changed, and I hope that this can change now.

My audience would be the youth of today, maybe more specifically the youth of my home ward. Having seen and experienced the awfully ridiculous behaviors myself and finding it rather horrible that people can no longer connect on the same level, I would be able to show the youth that I understand the current social mores. I would like to address them via a letter or some kind of discussion so that I can be involved and really drive my point to the youth.

Small Town Fun

An issue that I might discuss would be the lack of recreational opportunities in some small towns. Growing up in a small town myself, I have seen the problems "having nothing better to do" can cause amoung youth in the community. Some towns have a Parks and Recreation department, which is a good start, but most of those end when children get to middle school. Once youth don't have an opportunity to enjoy themselves they look for something else to do. I'm not saying that it needs to be sports exactly, but some sort of activity organization. I believe this would also help bring communities together, both as youth and as adults.
My audience would be specifically city council members, as well as the community as a whole. By coming from a small town I would be able to relate to their thoughts more and have some of the same priorities. I could reach my audience by writing a letter to the editor, having posters, fundraisers (if necessary), and participating in city council meetings when the public is invited to do so.

Should Old People Really Be Allowed to Drive?

I've decided that issue over allowing old people allowed to drive is something that America needs to decide. Some believe that a set age needs to be the cut off for driving while other believe that it is everyone's right and freedom to drive as long as they want. I believe that the current drivers license allowances are too relaxed. People need to be tested more to make sure they are still capable of driving safely. Especially old people, medical reports show that as you age your body and brain aren't as sharp as they use to be. We need to make sure are roads are safe. My main genre is the media. And to raise awareness of the issue, advertisements such as commercials and bill boards are effective. My audience will be to the adults of America.

Save a life who doesn't have a say.

My issue is on abortion and how it needs to become illegal. There would be two exceptions though, those exceptions being if the pregnancy is the result of rape or if the mother’s life is endangered by the pregnancy. Almost every third baby conceived in America is killed by abortion, that is not right! This baby does not even have a say and it is murder that we are legally allowing. There is health complications linked to abortions, over 100! Some states are even helping pay for abortions. I think we need to reinforce the value of life again in the United States. My audience is to those who support abortion in the United States. Genres that I would use are the media. I could put it in the new papers, Facebook, bill boards. There are so many ways that I could get to people and I would really try to use their emotions and use statistics to get to them.

A D- in Religion?

An issue I would like to address: religion classes at Brigham Young University. Though BYU is an LDS University, not all of its students are Latter-Day-Saints. As a religious school, it has every right to require religion classes. The issue lies with the grading system along with the difficulty of some of the religion classes. Not all religion teachers grade the same; many grade leniently and many grade harshly. However, it is not necessary to make religion classes have a point grading system. Rather, it would be more effective to have a pass-fail grading system. There are two types of classifications for religion teachers at BYU. A few have the attitude of wanting to enrich their students’ lives; they want their students to learn and strengthen testimonies. But many times BYU’s religion teachers feel they need to be competitive. With required religion classes being worth at least two credits, teachers feel they have to make their class strenuous and unrealistically challenging. Though the religion teachers claim that any non-LDS student has just as much chance to get an A in their class as a regular LDS student, this is certainly not always the case. Most other universities have their religion classes graded with a pass-fail system. I feel it would also be effective for BYU to grade their religion classes pass-fail. If some students want to study religion for their major, then it can be their choice to take higher level and more difficult religion classes worth graded credit. However, for the majority of BYU students in other majors, it would be more appropriate for a pass-fail system, when it comes to religion classes.

The audience I want to address is the students, the school faculty, and the school administration. I feel that there is strength in numbers, so the more people I can influence; the more likely I am to make a difference. As I am a student that is required to take the religion classes, just like all the other students at BYU, I feel I can relate to many in the BYU community. Different genres I could use would be a letter to the Daily Universe or a letter to the administration. Also, to seek the support of the student body I could use face-book to spread awareness on the situation and how to act upon it.

The Issue of Abortion

An issue that I think would be a good topic to address is abortion. This topic is one that is definitely of controversy and can be argued. Specifically I would like to take the stand that abortion is wrong unless the health of the mother is at stake or the conception was due to rape. I do not think that it is okay when it is the result of something the mother chose to do. For this issue I would direct it toward the audience of those who agree with the practice of abortion. One genre I would use would be the value of the individual. I realize that some would say that the mother has rights and use this against me, but I would like to focus on how the mother made a choice and that the child does not get a say when abortion is used. What about the infant's value? I think that another genre I could use in my persuading would be equality and opportunism. Even though this might not be the way people usually use this genre I believe I could once again fight for the unborn child and it's opportunities.

Perception As a Hindrance

There are times when reading into things proves beneficial. The act of "reading between lines" is used in everyday conversation in the most casual of times. However, it can be argued that utilising this to extreme degrees can be inopportune, even harmful to one's emotional harmony. Unfortunately, today's world seems to be one in which everyone is on guard, expecting unseen attacks from all sides and paranoid about encountering it. Even worse is the fact that we as human beings are disinclined to leave a perceived threat as is - many arguments and subsequent falling outs are a consequence of the would-be victim and the indignant would-be attacker. The recently released movie "Avatar" is meant to be a source of entertainment with a lingering eco-friendly theme, yet a quick search on the web will reveal different reactions ranging from claims that the film is supporting racism, paganism, and in some cases even causing depression and suicidal thoughts (http://edition.cnn.com/2010/SHOWBIZ/Movies/01/11/avatar.movie.blues/index.html). The latter in particular emphasises the point that purposely seeking out the possible (and I stress the word "possible) negative aspects in something with a benign surface can oft times lead to more bad than good.

The audience that this issue concerns the most would probably be almost all adults and teenagers; smaller children typically being too young to concern themselves with subtleties. With this in mind, the genre of an argumentative approach should probably try to appeal to the intelligence of these age groups; thoughtful blogs online and Letters to the Editor in a newspaper coming foremost to mind.

Kids Growing up too Fast

The possible issue I could use:
This world of technology and media, more and more often you will see a little kid with a cell phone texting away or a ten year old girl trying to dress like an adult, with the low cut tight jeans and pedicured/manicured nails, and hair done up in an adult style. The media and technology are everywhere you go. You can't escape it unless you choose to decide to go to some remote location. Kids in elementray school do not need to get a cell and be texting their friends. They should be outside talking and playing with one another. Even in middle school and beginning high school they don't need one. The only reason I can think of why a young person would need a cell phone would be if they had a car and/or a job. Kids are loosing the ability of how to have a real converstation face to face becuase instead they are texting away or chatting on MySpace or Facebook. Also, more and more the ideals of the media are being thrust down the thrust, almost willingly, of children. It doesn't help the kids are watching more and more television and being sucked into the unrealistic realistc world of the media. Young girls are convinced that in order to be like or loved they most match the definition of beauty that the media portrays. Again, we are seeing kids in elementary school in boyfriend-girlfriend relationships. They don't need that but it is happening everywhere; they shouldn't even think about getting a boy/girlfriend until they are in high school at least. I also here of stories of little children in kingergarten classes getting the "sex talk." That "talk" we wouldn't get until 5th or 6th grade. Also we see that we are putting children into more activities and groups and sports to the point they hardly have time for anything; there is no down time. As a society we are indirectly and directly forcing or children to grow up faster and faster and in return stealing away precious years of childhood. Having a childhood and being able to play as a child is an important time for growing up and we are talking that away.

The audience:
The main audience I would like to be able to direct this too is towards parents and pre-teen/middle school kids (about ages 8-13). A lot of what kids do and act is through they way their parents raise them. If I can raise the awarness of this issue to parents and have them understand what is happening then maybe parents could find a way to improve the way they are raising their children. If I could somehow get the idea into the hormonally filled head of a teenager then mayber I could influence them to slow down their lives and realize the things they may have now is something that don't really need.

Genres:
Some ways that I could get to the audience would be through the use of new media such as Facebook or Myspace groups or pages, or find blogs that parents use and could see. Using one sentence liners would be affective for the younger ages and using more small paragraphs for the parents. We could also bring the issue straight into the classrooms of young students, like they do for anti-drug usage. Short ads on tv would works as well (like they do for anti-drug usage). The list goes on and on.

Gay Marriage

With the new trial challenging Proposition 8 in California, the issue of gay marriage is back in the news. Like abortion or gun control, it is a complex, emotional issue that tends to generate vigorous opinions.

Supporters of gay marriage declare that marriage (however broadly defined) is a universal human right that should be available to same-sex couples. They argue that sexual orientation is an innate human characteristic, and is thus entitled to the same civil protections under law as gender, race, national origin, etc. By drawing comparison to the civil rights movement, proponents of gay marriage declare themselves to be "on the right side of history", as the culmination of a long struggle for equality under law.

Those who oppose same-sex marriage do so with various arguments, some of which are stronger than others. Some consider homosexual behavior to be immoral in itself, and refuse to recognize relationships they deem sinful. Some believe that gay marriage would dilute or distort the very definition of the word "marriage", and tamper with an institution that forms the bedrock of civil society. Others are concerned that legitimizing gay marriage would require public schools to discuss families more inclusively, and teach children that homosexual relationships are as valid and "normal" as heterosexual relationships.

The audience is universal; anyone living in the United States will be affected, at least symbolically, by the upcoming court ruling. Either marriage law will remain a matter for the States to decide for themselves, or State governments will be forced to recognize gay marriages.

Supporters of gay marriage owe a large part of their persuasive success to the way they have framed the debate as a question of liberty, equality, and individual rights--principles that are sacred to most Americans. Any attempt to counter these arguments must consider those same values, addressing the liberty and individual rights of parents to determine what their children are taught in school, or the freedom of religious organizations to solemnize marriages in accordance with their beliefs. Of particular worth is an appeal to democracy--Americans oppose gay marriage by a considerable majority, and gay marriage proponents have turned to legal action because they have failed to earn broad democratic support.

The debate is awash with slogans and one-liners; in heated discussions like these, they are of little persuasive value (although they may mobilize the already-persuaded). My goal would be to clarify the reasons why I oppose gay marriage--since I view much of the anti-gay-marriage rhetoric to be as silly and inconsistent as the pro-gay-marriage rhetoric. It is a complex issue that deserves a complex discussion. With that end in mind, I would use essay format, posting in blogs or op/ed pieces for news websites.

Alternative Energy

I've spent a lot of time researching whether or not the government should mandate the use of alternative energy for transportation.

Those in favor cite global warming and the environment and push for alternative fuel sources to reduce emissions. They also say that oil makes us dependent on other countries, and is a limited resource.

Those against alternative energies claim that the alternative energies available are not nearly advanced enough to replace oil entirely and that any pollution reduced from emissions is only transfered to another place. Switching to electric cars will only cause coal plants to emit just as much pollution (if not more) as what was saved. There are also a few who say the environment is a non-issue.

The audience is complicated. There are consumers who wish to have the product that will save them the most money, and may have an inkling thought about the environment. Then, there are producers who wish to make the most money possible. (Oil companies purging every last dollar, or car companies exploiting trends.)

It's hard to talk to the companies; they have one tracked minds. My audience would be the consumers. The population is also the ultimate decision maker, so appealing to the voting body would get me the best results.

If I wanted to push for mandated alternative energy, I would talk mostly about the importance of energy independence. I'd demonize OPEC and deals they make with car companies and reveal how much control oil producing countries can possibly exert over our nation (cite prior gas shortages, etc.) Until greater technologies emerge, the environmental angle may be touching, but in the long run illogical because mandated alternative energies do not benefit the environment at this point in time.

If I was apposed, I would exploit the inefficiencies of every possible alternative and glorify our current system.

Atheism is a Religion

From Christ being taken out of Christmas to the attempts to delete “under god” from the pledge of allegiance there seems to be a removal of religion from public life. Some want to stop from teaching creation in schools and there are attempts to remove funding from schools with a religious affiliation. In fact, if one was to look at this objectively they would see that governmental influence is turning increasingly atheist, or at least agnostic. All in the name of “separating church and state”. Their views and opinions seem to take precedence solely because they are of a nonreligious affiliation. There is a double standard that favors those who consider themselves godless. I see a simple solution to this. Classify atheism as a religion. Because essentially the belief in no god is just that, a belief. Since the constitution forbids the favoring of one religion over another the system will not be skewed in favor of those without one. Governments will have to respect every religion equally and no one will be above this.

The audience is anyone that is affected by the religious debate. But I can imagine that atheists themselves would not be very open to this idea. As a man of religion I would have to prove to audience the universal benefits of this argument so as to not appear favoring religion. Rather I would need to make the impression of equality under the law for all of people regardless if they accept deity or not. The genres of the arguments are presented in the preivous paragraph.

The Cost of Being a Fan

BYU has always had a unique environment, full of “peculiar people”. And in most things, our “in the world but not of the world” attitude has served us well. But there is one issue in which I think BYU would be wise to follow the crowd. The issue that I have with BYU is the price of sporting events, or rather that there is any price tag attached to our cougar pride at all. I would like to express my opinion to the Athletics department at BYU because I feel like they are the most likely to be make a change in the cost of sporting events. My relationship to the Athletic department is not very direct, but as a student who attends athletic events, my opinion is important. Throughout my exploration of this topic, I would like to learn where the revenue from ticket sales goes. If revenue is a necessary money maker that goes to support the athletes, is there any other way those funds can be raised? What are the reasons behind keeping student ticket prices as they are? Why haven’t we followed the example of other universities and eliminated the cost for students to attend athletic events? By addressing this topic, I would like to learn the reasons behind our current system and if possible, how to make a change. I would be able to reach my audience through genres such as a letter to the head of the Athletics department or an editorial comment in the Daily Universe. I would also be able to raise awareness on this issue through the use of new media such as BYU sports fan groups on facebook and student blogs. I would also use catchy one-liners and puns such as: Help us enrich our college experience by eliminating the cost of sporting events (lame, I know but I couldn’t resist).