Progress Report

to:	Dr. Kyburz
from:	David Gonzalez
subject:	Rational Argument
date:	April 14, 2015

Introduction

            The project is making a 5-7 page rational argument. I am writing about why people have not changed their lifestyles to more environmentally friendly ones.

Completed Research

Since last report, I found a very strong source that details the many reasons why people have not curved the amount of greenhouse gasses that they emit. It also states which kinds of people believe in global warming and which ones do not. I added over two pages to my draft including a rough draft conclusion. Not many problems have arisen. I am finding good sources.

Remaining Research

            I need to add at least two more sources. I do not think it will be difficult to find more sources especially since the remaining sources do not have to be very long since I am almost already at full length for my draft. I have to extend my draft 4 ¼ pages to at least 5 pages. I also need to work on my body paragraphs since some of them are mainly just summary of sources. I need to work on transitions, introductions, and conclusions. I will be able to accomplish these remaining tasks by the due date. 

I very much enjoyed the rant assignment. It allowed me to get a point across in one strain of thought. I chose to post a portion of my rant on Twitter. I chose this venue because it would reach others immediately. The point of my rant was summarized in the tweet. I believe it is more likely for others to read it on that venue than somewhere else. In another venue I do not believe the people that I network with would have taken to the time to view my message. On Twitter, other users could retweet my tweet and introduce it into another network of users. Also, users are allowed to reply to my tweet and give their opinion. However, it is very difficult to elaborate on Twitter. Each tweet is limited to only 140 characters. I believe Twitter was a good venue to use.
I had found an article about the Brian Williams incident and the reaction by the media. The article for the most part was in line with what I said in my rant. The article did seem to defend Brian Williams more than I did and attacked the media a little more harshly. The article also stated that the media is so eager to attack Brian Williams because it just gives them another story. This article reinforced my opinion. The article did influence where I decided to post my rant slightly. I felt that the title of the article got to the point quickly and I thought I could as well.

Rant!

Brian Williams of NBC News recently has come under fire for lying about a story he has been telling over the past decade. He had claimed that he was in a helicopter that was hit by an RPG in Iraq. This did not actually happen to him. He only admitted it once those who were there started telling the real story. This represents an all too common theme in the media. The media has become more entertainment than news. The news often takes something and then exaggerates the story so that it is more entertaining. This happened when Ebola entered the United States. Most doctors said that it should not much if not at all. The media ignored this for the most part. They had their Ebola watch and put fear into people. Now others in the media are getting on their high horse against Brian Williams. I do not think what he did was right, but the media can be so much worse than what he did. Countless times, CNN has given false reports as stories are breaking. They do not bother to do strong fact checking. This epidemic in the media does not seem like slowing down.

Throughout Restrepo, highs are complimented by lows. The film starts with four men being happy and friendly with each other. Several times in the movie, great friendship is shown. Then, the great lows come. Some of the men who were just shown having fun are killed or wounded. Their friends have to deal with their death as well. These deaths really tear down any happiness created earlier.

Reflection Questions

1. What did you lean from the movie?

The film ‘Restrepo’ reinforced my feelings on war. I saw firsthand the terrible tragedies that happen during battle. However, the tragedies do not leave the soldiers when the battle is over. The interviews from the soldiers who lived the battles demonstrated how the war stays with them even years after the fact. I learned that one cannot just simply leave the things he or she have seen behind. This has left a lasting impression on me.

2.  What surprised you?

I was surprised at how raw the film footage was. The film was not just made up of anecdotes. The camera crew was right there alongside the soldiers during the fighting. The crew put their lives on the line right with the soldiers. The crew deserves a large amount of appreciation for the work they have done as war time journalists. Without the work of the crew, people would not be able to see what is happening to our American soldiers.

4. What would you like to know more about?

I would like to know where the surviving soldiers are now. It would be interesting to see what kind of mental health treatment that the men are receiving if any at all. This generation of veterans is facing a unique amount of challenges. I would like to learn more about the adjustments that these veterans coming home have to go through. I plan on looking further into veteran treatment. 

Restrepo. Dir. Sebastian Junger and Tim Hetherington. National Geographic Entertainment, 2010. Film. 

"Restrepo" did a great job of humanizing American soldiers. The film brought viewers to the front line with the soldiers. The viewers could witness the hardships that the soldiers were going through. I feel that it is a great film for understanding the trauma that happens in war. Here is a clip from the film that demonstrates the intense situations American soldiers go through.

There were difficult parts of the film to watch. There is a scene where American fire had injured and killed some civilians including some young children. I feel this just continued the theme of the tragedy of war. Out of all of the men in this film, I would like to talk with Captain Dan Kearny. He was leading the operations in the film. I would like to ask him about how he deals with the tragedies that he witnessed. Also, I would like to hear what he thinks should be done to treat veterans coming home. I feel it would provide great insight into the minds of returning veterans. 

Restrepo. Dir. Sebastian Junger and Tim Hetherington. National Geographic Entertainment, 2010. Film.

"Restrepo" is a 2010 documentary directed by Tim Hetherington and Sebastian Junger. The film documents a year long deployment of American troops in the Korangal Valley of Afghanistan. The film demonstrates the tragedy of war. In the film, the Korongal Valley is called the deadliest place on Earth. What I took away most from the film, was the terrible mental distress put on the soldiers. Several soldiers are severely injured or killed throughout the film. The film also shows interviews of surviving soldiers from when they are back home. The soldiers talk about finding ways to deal with the tragedies that they have witnessed. I feel terrible for people who have to go through those situations. Another part of the film that I found interesting was the relationship between the soldiers and the locals. The attempt to have good relations with the locals just showed how difficult of a situation these men were in. The soldiers did not know who they could trust. The film documents the most stressful situation that I could imagine being in. What we must learn from "Restrepo" is to take care of our veterans when they make it home. Veterans have made the ultimate sacrifice for all of us.

Restrepo. Dir. Sebastian Junger and Tim Hetherington. National Geographic Entertainment, 2010. Film.
Restrepo Website