SWA23

Finding a Balance between the Rights of Species

Thesis: By getting opposing groups to meet in the middle, it would not be impossibly difficult to make the world a much better place for both humans and animals.

I. The issue of how far humans should go to secure fair treatment for animals is a problem for multiple groups in the modern world.

II. A possible solution for the problem would call for a compromise between all perspectives.

A. Possible legislation requiring the elimination of inhumane slaughtering processes

1. Pacifies animals rights activists, and does not have to raise costs unreasonably

B. Stricter policies on how radical protests can become

1. Pacifies people who are uncomfortable with some present advertisements and protests

III. The given solution is reasonable because it does not strongly inconvenience any party, and it also successfully solves the problem.

A. If all involved are willing to compromise, there is no reason they can’t all give up a few things they want to reach a good middle ground

SWA22

In today’s world, a major issue when it comes to any problem is getting opposing factions to reach a compromise. The problem of animal rights is no exception. There are many different perspectives with completely opposing view, but there is no reason that the problem can’t be overcome. The main problem is that people do not see eye to eye when it comes to the rights of animals, with some believing that animals should be essentially equal to humans, while others believe that we should not afford animals any rights at all. There is no reason a compromise cannot be reached, as long as people on both ends of the spectrum are willing to think rationally.

Thesis:

By getting opposing groups to meet in the middle, it would not be impossibly difficult to make the world a much better place for both humans and animals.

SWA21

1. In essay 1, the issue being examined is the Occupy movement and how it has affected Americans around the country. The importance is explained as it having an effect on many citizens of the country.
2. The four perspectives are active protesters, outside sympathizers who are not directly involved, political figures that are against the movement, and concerned citizens who are directly affected by the movement. I had a difficult time identifying the thesis statement in this essay, so it clearly could use some work.
3. The introduction immediately and effectively states the issue at hand and the perspectives being explored, but the conclusion seems to be more of a restatement of the intro as opposed to a solid conclusion.
4. For the most part, I do believe that the essay is effective. The issue is made clear, and all four perspectives are explored. I do feel that the essay may have been a little bit rushed, as it seems like there could have been more elaboration on most points. If I were to give suggestions, I would recommend expanding on each point a bit, as well as reworking the conclusion so it didn't sound like a restatement of the introduction.

SWA20

Humans and Animal Rights in Advertising

For years, the issue of animal rights has been a controversial topic all over the world. There are many viewpoints on the issue, but the biggest question is whether or not it is ethical to advocate for animal rights by treating humans unethically.

I. PETA has shown for years through their actions that nothing should stand in the way of animals receiving proper and caring treatment.

A. Advertisements that ignore the emotional impact they might have on some groups

1. Many advertisements with naked women

2. Advertisements against overweight people

B. Variety of advertising tactics

1. Graphic protests at restaurants

2. Billboards and posters

II. Some vegetarians are supporters of the animal rights movement, but they believe that there are limits to how far you can go in advocating for animals.

A. People who are turned away by certain ads

1. Holocaust comparisons

2. Ads that offend certain groups

B. Fur coat protests

1. Demeaning to everyone

III. There is a small group of people who are entirely against the notion of animal rights, believing that humans have the power and should be able to wield it as they see fit.

A. Factory farming

B. The cheaper the food, the better for businesses

1. Lower costs mean higher profits

IV. A large portion of the population includes meat in their everyday diet, but support the animal rights movement. However, many of these people are unfamiliar with many aspects of the movement or are uncomfortable getting involved.

A. Top of the food chain mentality

1. Biblical references

2. The habits of wild animals themselves

B. Being against PETA by principle

1. Over the top protests disgust normal people

This is a many-sided issue. There is not really any way to say who is truly right or wrong in this case, as certain groups would suffer no matter what decision was made. I personally believe that animals should be treated with compassion, but shocking people is not the way to make this happen, as PETA and supporters seem to think.

SWA18

Mnookin, Seth. "A Plate of Controversy." Newsweek. 10 Mar 2003: n. page. Print.

This article discusses a PETA advertising campaign in which the organization compared the situation of animals raised for food to pictures of people interred in concentration during the Holocaust. The article goes on to discuss the outrage it caused amongst some of the public, which PETA quickly shot down, claiming that there is no difference between pigs raised for slaughter and Jewish people imprisoned during World War II.

Davies, Isabel. "MLC to refer PETA to ad watchdog." Farmers Weekly. 13 Oct 2006: n. page. Print.

In this article, the Meat and Livestock Commission announced that they intended to report an advertising campaign of PETA’s as false and unfair. The advertisements claimed that feeding meat to children is child abuse, claiming that it is the root of all kinds of health issues and diseases. The MLC countered, saying that removing meat entirely from a diet would not help at all.

ICW 3/12/12

1. This essay looked at racial issues in America through baseball, particularly in the way the author felt about Ichiro Suzuki's introduction into baseball.

2. The life of racial and ethnic stereotypes in sports:
Kang's essay is strongly focused on the idea of racial stereotypes in baseball. Early on, he talks about how most sportscasters were betting against Ichiro Suzuki before he came to the MLB, but all of them changed their tunes once he showed his skill. He talks about how baseball is a stage where anyone can show skill and prove the worth of a group of people or race.

3. This essay uses baseball as an example for different races and ethnicities in our culture. The author uses the famous Japanese baseball player Ichiro Suzuki to demonstrate how Americans view outside cultures that come into our society. Kang describes the way that Americans immediately assume foreign players will not be as talented, but then are all about the players once they prove themselves, using race as a reason to discount them until they show their abilities.

SWA17

Schwartz, John. "PETA's Latest Tactic: $1 Million for Fake Meat." New York Times 21 Apr 2008, A16. Print.

This newspaper article presents a new side to the argument of whether or not PETA is unreasonable in trying to accomplish their goals. It presents a compromise put forth by PETA on the issue of eating meat – the idea of a substitute for meat that is essentially the same, but is created in a laboratory instead of taken from slaughtered animals. According to the article, PETA offers a one million dollar prize to anyone who can come up with an acceptable replacement for meat. However, it also discusses the problems this has caused within the organization, as some members are extremely uncomfortable with the idea of eating meat at all, real or fake.

Darnton, Nina. "Revolt of the Fur Bearers." Newsweek. 01 Jun 1992: n. page. Print.

This article from Newsweek may be from a few years ago, but it is still very relevant to the issue. The article describes a protest in which PETA members wore fur coats covered in blood in an attempt to dissuade the public from supporting the fur industry. There were differing viewpoints on whether this protest was a success, however. According to some people mentioned, they decided they would wear fur as a counter-protest to let PETA know that they would not have their free will affected by the protest.