RCL#4 Advocacy Website

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Every single site that I came across seemed pretty legit so I’m just going to talk about a random one that I came across. www.bestfriends.org is a organization that works toward the protection of abandoned animals who are killed while held in shelters. While browsing through their site I noticed that it is very well put together and presentable. I think that is overall a very good site.

1. Presentation: Everything was really easy to get too. I liked that in the tab where they discuss the mission of their organization that they broke things down for the reader to try and evoke a emotional appeal as well as a logical one, which can be done easily if you are moved by the welfare of animals.

2. Logistics: They break down how many animals have been impacted by the work that they do and offer very nice visuals to go along with their text. On the donation part of the site it specifically states that donators money goes directly to the shelters they run as well as outreach and rescue programs from all around the country. The format that they have the donation tab set up is very professional looking and gives the donor control how much they want to donate without making them having to make a monthly payment. That is another option separated from where you put in all your information.

3. What makes it easier to trust this organization is that at that the bottom of the site it says that it is a top rated charity organization that helps animals.

Here is a link to the site: http://bestfriends.org

CIV#4 The Public and Welfare

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There are a lot of pubic attitudes about the welfare system. Different analysis and polls are taken to find out how strongly people felt about the welfare system. Here are a few questions that people were asked.

1. Welfare encourages young women to have babies before marriage

2. Welfare makes people work less than they would if there were not a welfare system

3. Welfare helps people get on their feet when facing difficult situations such as unemployment, a divorce, or a death in the family.

Questions like these seems to raise a question of whether or no the welfare system is a social justice or not. the first question about if people think that women who are on welfare encourage them to have babies out of wedlock is not a fair one to ask. I can see where people may think the system can be manipulated like that but at the same time people are going to have babies regardless so to me that is a tough question to give an answer to. The second question is a very common stereotype for people who are on the welfare system and it is a shame because there are people who genuinely work hard and still need to be on the welfare system because lets face it, the cost of living has gone up, especially if you have a family. There are some people who abuse the welfare system and use it as a crutch, that is what I can see as frustrating to the public. Issues like unemployment, divorce and death seem like pretty good circumstances why people should be eligible for welfare if they truly deserve it. Each one of these are life altering situations that can take a huge toll on families that do not have a a strong financial base to take care of everyday, normative and at times unfortunate situations. That is what the welfare system is suppose to do, it’s suppose to set is free people from excess burden, but unfortunately, it does not always reach its goal because people take advantage of it which to the public it comes across very negative and counterintuitive.

PAS#9 Queen Latifah

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Queen-LatifahFor my last passion blog for this class I will be discussing my favorite Queen Latifah films. Ms. Latifah is one of my favorite actresses and one that I really look up too. As a full figured women she never let the Hollywood stigma of having to be a size 2 discourage her from accomplishing her dreams. I want to have the confidence and beauty that she embodies when I grow up lol. She is definitely one of my role models. It’s hard to pick only a few of her movies as my favorite because I love them all but here are three that I really enjoy watching.

Set It OffSet It Off: This movie is like her only hard core movies but I really like it because the four main characters have a impenetrable bond and are willing to risk everything to help one another get out of financial distress. I’m not going to give anything away if you have not already seen it but it is a very compelling and emotional movie, bawled my eyes out when I first saw it. And that is not me being dramatic, to me it was very heart breaking. The other actresses in this film are very talented as well and I like their films too.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Bringing Down the House: This movie is really funny lol. It Stars Latifah and Steve Martin. Martin is a lawyer who has two kids, a divorced wife, and now a unexpected house guest. Steve Martin and Queen Latifah keep the comic relief rolling throughout the movie and it makes it all the more enjoyable. I really like this movie because Latifah’s character keeps it real when it comes to Martin’s character needing to get his life together when it comes to his family. The advice she gives him is hysterical, I kid you not lol. Definitely look this one up. Bringing Down The House

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Last_Holiday_DVD Queen_Latifah LL_Cool_JThe Last Holiday: This is a very inspiring movie. If it teaches you anything it teaches that you should never let things hold you back, tomorrow is not guaranteed to you, follow your dreams, don’t be greedy, and don’t sleep with another woman’s husband! Lol. That plot of the story is very heartwarming and I get a smile on my face every time I watch it because it shows the realities of life and how you cannot take anything for granted or expect things to just happen to you. If you really want something to happen in your life you have to make it happen. Just like all the other ones, go watch it if you haven’t already!

 

 

 

 

 

HairsprayMoviePosterHair Spray: I ABSOLUTELY POSITIVELY LOVE Queen Latifah’s singing voice in this film adaptation of the broadway show “Hairspray”. The song that resonates the most with me, and makes my heart beat faster is when she sings “I Know Where I’ve Been”. If you have not heard the song before or her version I firmly advise you to do so lol. The way that she sings the lyrics bring them alive and the message empowers me and inspires me to never give up a fight that is worth fighting for. The movie itself is just very moving and inspiring and the cast is absolutely fabulous. A must see if you haven’t already.

 

 

 

 

 

As I was writing this post I had the urge to want to watch all these movies over again lol. Guess what I will be doing when I have some downtown. I hope you enjoyed this blog this semester as much as I enjoyed writing it. Continue to watch movies, they are one of our only escapes from our realities. Good luck in your future endeavors!

Love, Jennafer P.

RCL#4 Advocacy Project

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For my advocacy project Megan Zuccato and I will be doing it together since we had similar topics for our persuasive essay’s and we are really interested in the topic. We have decided that it would be best to make a website about Orca Whales in captivity. This issue is very important to address because there is a lot of evidence that shows that Killer Whales in captivity bring a lot more harm to the animal than being in the wild, which is where they belong. The advocacy project will be not so different from the persuasion essay. The biggest difference at the moment will be that we are able to put visuals behind the evidence that we will present. For a topic like this images will provoke a pathos appeal to the audience and help them understand why this is such a critical issue that needs to be addressed. I think if we were to advocate to a specific audience it would be to the public because they are the ones who buy the tickets to see these animals perform in theme parks like SeaWorld. They have the power to close them down if we band together and tell the Good Ole Boys that this is morally and ethically wrong. We would be advocating for the release of the roughly 45 Killer Whales in Captivity, or at least the ones in the United States. These animals do not have a voice and cannot advocate for themselves. They have to do what they have to to survive and for me that is heartbreaking because what if the shoe was on the other foot? What if we were meant to be someones circus act and made to perform multiple shows in a day and that was the only way that we were guaranteed food. Always just enough to take away the bite of hunger but never ever being as satisfied as you could be. Never to be able to live how you want to and to be on a set schedule every single day. At least for me it sounds just downright frustrating, limiting their capabilities, humiliating, mocking their strength as a top predator, and treating them like dumb animals that do a few tricks to get a few pieces of lousily fish. Who benefits here? They surely do not.

PAS#8 Eddie Murphy

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Eddie MurphyFor this weeks post I will be discussing my favorite Eddie Murphy films. Eddie Murphy is one of my favorite actor’s/comedians! the characters that he creates leave a long lasting impression of you after you are done watching them and you will find yourself quoting them in normal life situations. Well, at least I do lol. There are so many movies that are my favorite and I could go on and on about which ones but I will just highlight a few for you. Aside from the ones that I mention I recommend looking up other ones and watching them.

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The Nutty Professor: These movies will have me cracking up the entire time, you would think something was wrong with me lol. If you have seen the first one then you know about the first family dinner scene. I’m sure if you YouTube it it will be there, probably, broken up into parts. Underneath all the funny parts I think that this film represents how people have deep rooted insecurities and will go to drastic measures to be the person that they long to be. Everyone has a “Buddy Love” of their own on the inside, it’s just knowing that you cannot let him take over your life because you can hurt not only yourself but the ones you love. If you have no idea what I am talking about watch the movie lol. It is hilarious that Murphy plays almost all of the family members who have all these different personalities. It makes the experience all that more to enjoy, especially when watching them for the first time. The second one is very funny as well but the first will always be my favorite.

Coming To AmericaComing To America: This movie is always shown on TV and even though I have seen it a million times I still will watch it and laugh. The plot of the story has not necessarily never been done before but it is still lighthearted and laugh out loud funny when you watch it, which is refreshing. The fact that Murphy and his co-star Arsenio Hall play nobility from Africa and are completely ignorant to the American Lifestyle adds something to the film that grabs your attention and makes you want to finish it. I would totally watch this if you have not already. Murphy also plays a few other characters beside his lead role, so does Arsenio Hall.

 

 

NorbitNorbit: Anytime that Eddie Murphy comes up in conversation this movie always seems to be shouted out as their favorite with him in it lol. The first time I saw it I laughed so much that it hurt. Rasputia is one of the most hilarious and disturbing characters I think he has ever played lol. I will say that she has tremendous confidence in herself which can be seen as border line denial when it comes to her weight, and sadly that makes it all the more funny lol. As I’m writing this I actually want to watch the movie now, it has been a long time since I have seen it. I am about to look it up right now:) lol. See it if you haven’t already!

 

 

 

 

 

I hope you enjoyed this weeks post! Have a good rest of your week!

Love, Jenn P.

PAS#7 Ryan Gosling

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ryan-gosling-cover-nologo I am just going to get this out in the open right off the back. I will try my best to keep from fan girl-ing on this blog for the sake of the gentlemen in our class lol. However, just so that it is known, I would have Ryan Goslings children if presented with the opportunity. Aside from his drop dead god like attractiveness, he is one of the most talented actors in the business today. I recently found out though that he and Eva Mendes are dating. Don’t get me wrong they are a cute couple but it just threw me off completely. Just goes to show that age is nothing but a number and him and I having babies would be perfectly acceptable…lol. Not until I watched The Notebook, then some time later while re-watching Remember the Titans did I notice that he was in it as well.  Here is a list of my favorite movies that he has been in and why I love them.

The Notebook 200406-the-notebookis my favorite Romantic Novels by Nicholas Sparks, as well as one of my favorite movies. I refused to watch the movie until I read the book and I was extremely happy and satisfied with it. My best friend and I decided to perform the climatic scene toward the end of the movie that was between Gosling and his co-star Rachel McAdams at a talent show we took part in every year. I loved performing it because the love and tension between these two characters is so palpable and it sends the message that love is not perfect. No one in any relationship is perfect and that if torn apart and if it’s true love, somehow, someway, they will find one another again. A beautiful piece of art, I would recommend it to anyone who hasn’t seen it. I know guys would say that this is a chick flick but I would not turn any one astray on a movie like this, unless you are a true pessimistic about love and romance lol.

 

 

 

 

CrazyStupidLovePosterCrazy, Stupid Love is another movie that I enjoyed Ryan Gosling in. I actually have a poster hanging up in my room of him that is from a scene in the movie and if you have seen it you might know which one I am talking about and if you have not seen it you will see which one I am referring too when you see it lol. Gosling plays a suave ladies man who tries to help his new charge (Steve Carell) get his mojo back after going through a divorce. It is a very cute movie and if you need to laugh and feel lighthearted for a couple hours I would definitely stream this one. It overall has an awesome cast. Very interesting/cute story line. This movie kind of reminds me of “He’s Just Not That Into You” and other movies that kind of run on the same plot line. Each one brings something new to the table. I like movies that have separate mini stories that are internally connected in some way through another character. Some very unexpected things are thrown at you in those situations lol. And what is so cool about Ryan in this film is that he is not just playing that guy who falls in love with that girl. There is duality in his role in this movie; a smoothing talkin ladies man, and a romantic underneath that :), two roles that he plays very very well.

Hope you enjoyed this weeks post, despite my embarrassing fan girl moments XD. Have a great rest of your week, Love ya!

PAS#6 Kristen Stewart

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I know that everyone has a particular dis-liking or an indifferent attitude toward this particular actress, especially since her rise to stardom was her leading role as Isabella “Bella” Swan in the Twilight Saga franchise. As a Twi-Hard I was obviously obsessed with her and her co-star, Robert Pattinson, playing my favorite fictional couple.  I loved them even more when they were going out fro real. But, since the franchise has ended my obsession has gone from a 20 down to like a 5. I still love re-reading the novels and re-watching the movies. They will always be a part of me. Sadly when I heard that she cheated on my ex (Robert Pattinson lol) I was confused and hurt  because I only approved of her being with him because it just felt right. Look at me sounding as if I really know these people lol. Well I feel like I do since I’ve followed their careers for like 6 years of my life lol. Anyway, I became indifferent toward their relationship since the franchise has been over but I hop they can work things out. I mean we are flesh and blood so making mistakes is going to happen. I still think that she is a very talented actor and she offers a lot to the roles that she plays, despite people’s opinions of her lack of facial expressions and serious demeanor. Since the Twilight Saga are the only movies that I really liked her in I will talk about those films lol.

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The Twilight Saga: I read the books the summer before the first film was suppose to come out and i was was excited. I looked up the cast when I started the first book and I automatically could not imagine the characters in any other way. I instantly fell in love with them. Kristen was the perfect Bell in my eyes because she just had the look about her that screamed Bella, and anyone who has read the books and agrees with me knows what I am talking about. As each film came out you can see her grow as an actor just as Bella developed into who she really was. Despite a lot of criticism that the entire franchise often got I commend them to being dedicated to it all the way through and portrayed the books in the way that would make the fans happy and anyone who has followed all five films (pre and post production) you can tell that the little details mattered to everyone involved. In Breaking Dawn pt 1 & 2 I was the most impressed with Kristen because she brought Bella as a vampire to life in such a way that it was more than what I was expecting because Breaking Dawn is the crux of the entire series and has a lot of detail and the most complex to bring to the screen. I really wish that Stephenie Meyer would continue to write about these characters because I would love to see Kirsten, and the entire cast come together again. But, even great things have to come to an end and I am very satisfied with the outcome. I did see Kirsten in Snow White and the Huntsman and I will honestly say that she did a very good job in it and it was nice to see her in something like that. I did see The Messengers, which she starred in before Twilight came out and I liked that one as well. That’s all I really have to say about this actress so tune in for next week!

RCL#3 Orcinus Orca

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As a kid I have always been fascinated by Killer Whales. Even though I have never seen one in person, just looking at pictures and watching documentaries about them resonates something in me that is indescribable. From the research that I have done on my own, they do not seem that different from us. There is no question that they have a conscious and process feelings and emotions. Just by their behavior it can be seen how there is something about them that sets them apart from other land and sea animals/mammals. When I was younger I always wanted to go to SeaWorld because I thought that was the only way that I would get to see these majestic animals up close. But after doing some research and discovering how those creatures are treated it turns me away from wanting to invest money in a place that uses these huge creatures for a profit when they are meant to be in the wild. If there were not as many incidents as there are involving these creatures who are in captivity then maybe this would not be a huge issue. I believe that when we look at all these animals put on display we are looking through rose colored glasses. It looks good on the surface but underneath things are very messy and the question of ethics and morals come into play. I’m not saying that animals cannot be rescued because they are in danger and need to be nursed back to health. But when you combine that with making them do “behaviors” and perform in front of audiences, it just does not sit well with me at all. Especially when you have mammals as massive as Orca Whales, in tanks. No matter how big or deep you make it, that creature is still not free. I don’t want my opinions to get in the way with the outcome of my paper but I am very passionate about these animals and I can only imagine how they feel having to do perform over and over and over again for many years. I think that one of the biggest misconceptions about Orca’s and animals in captivity in general, is that they are better off being taken care of when not in the wild because they will have access to medicine that they could need. I mean that could be a valid reason but animals have been evolving and surviving in the wild since the dawn of time, everything they know comes from instincts and adaptation. In the end, I genuinely want to know the pros and cons of these animals being in captivity.

So, my focused research questions are as followed,

1. What kind of emotional and physical ordeals does being in captivity have on Orca Whales?

2. Because Orca’s are very social animals how is that compromised by being in captivity?

3. Does the environment play a part in these animals to become more aggressive toward each other?

Book citation:

Behavioral Biology Of Killer Whales

Kirkevold, Barbara C., and Joan S. Lockard. Behavioral Biology of Killer Whales. New York, NY: A.R. Liss, 1986. Print. 

 

CIV #3 The Poor & Welfare

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As stated in my previous Civic Issues post, the government has limited snap benefits for those who have them. In my Sociology 001 class we have been talking about the sociological aspect of people who live below the poverty line in America. The data she gave is is from the Census Bureau.

The poverty index was created to try and figure out how much it would cost to feed a family at an adequate, yet at the same time, inexpensive rate. Under the Johnson administration there was a program created called ADC, Aid for Dependent Children, which was suppose to help fight the war on poverty. The problem with this program was that if you had a man in the house the family would not qualify to receive this public aid. In response to this men would leave their families and every trace of a man ever living in the house was cleared away so that families could qualify for assistance. When the government saw that this was not working out too well It was eventually changed to AFDC, Aid to Families with Dependent Children. The significant change for this program is that the idea of not just providing assistance for the children, but to the parents because they saw that having just a mother and father providing was not enough for certain families. In 1996 it changed to the current system that we use today is the TANF, Temporary Aid for Needy Families. With this program it is temporary, as in a two year span. As we know this is not the only government welfare aid program but I hope this little history will show you that the definition of welfare for families has taken leaps over the decades and they continue to change now. There is always going to be modifications to this issue because so many people have their own definitions and opinions of what should happen to people who cannot provide for themselves and their families. For 2014, the poverty line index for a family of four has stopped at $23,850. So that means that anyone at and or below this dollar amount are living in poverty. The poverty line changes constantly because the cost of living rises constantly, and as that rises so does the cost of education. Everything is in a vicious cycle and as it continues to climb higher and higher more people are going to fall lower and lower behind that horrible line.

PAS #5 Leonardo and the Oscars

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Ok people I am deviating this weeks blog to talk about the Academy Awards. One of the biggest things I will be discussing is the fact that Leonardo, THE DiCaprio, not winning an Oscar yet again.

To start on a positive note I think that I need to make it my mission to watch Frozen when it comes out on DVD or Netflix because it won in so many categories on Sunday night. I was firmly against seeing it over winter break because I was just not in the mood at all for another Disney animate musical. Don’t get me wrong I love Disney, but I just was not mentally ready to tolerate it at the time lol. Anyway I think that I should at least give it a chance watch it at some point. I was very excited to see Lupita Nyong’o wing Best Supporting Actress in 12 Years A Slave. Her speech was very motivational and made me want to push even more to make my dreams a reality. When she was talking about kids and saying that “Your dreams are Valid!”. Those were some of the most simple influential words that i have ever heard. She was just very encouraging and I can tell that she is going to be the new face of elegance and beauty in our generation. As a side note I absolutely loved the gown she was wearing as well.

Lupita-Nyongo-2014So…I know that Leonardo has won plenty of other awards, but the Oscars is the highest honor in the world of Hollywood. I just wonder what runs through his mind every year. I bet he does not even get phased anymore. I definitely wouldn’t. I’m glad that the The Great Gatsby won best production design, so at least it took something home. But I think Leo’s acting in it should have gotten him an Oscar.  After all the years and dedication that he has put into his films I am kind of disappointed that the Academy could not honor him with an Oscar. It kind of makes me feel bad because there are younger actors that have received Oscars and they do not have the years of experience that he has. He’s done dozen of films, where as that ONE film they did, that one film that was their breakout film, got them an Oscar. Maybe it is something else altogether. Maybe it has nothing to do with his talent. Maybe he pissed the Academy off in some way at the beginning of his career and it black balled him for the rest of his career. I see that as highly unlikely but anything is up for suggestion because it doesn’t make sense. At least not to me. My roommate and I were like yelling when they announced Matthew McConaughey as Best Actor. I think he is a great actor too, but….I didn’t even hear of the movie that he won for, Dallas Buyers Club. The Academy Awards always plays with my emotions because they are like four hours long and they announce best actor very last so Sunday night I was just drained lol. Ellen was a very entertaining host, especially when she ordered pizza and Meryl Streep, Brad Pitt, and Kerry Washington, plus some others actually ate some. It just shows how down to earth and human they are. I love them so much lol.

Things should go back to normal after break, I just needed to vent about this. Have a wonderful and safe break!