TOW 27: White House Correspondents' Dinner

Recently. Washington, D.C. held its annual White House Correspondents' Dinner. President Obama last night joined Conan O'Brien onstage at the Washington Hilton for the annual White House Correspondents' Association Dinner, and gave his fifth address to the organization of journalists who cover the White House. During most of his address, President Obama had a light and humorous tone, making sarcastic and comical remarks against himself as well as others (CNN). A spoof promo was also shown to the audience, based on Steven Spielberg's "Lincoln." This mode of satire was entertaining and its point easy to understand. Though the WHC Dinner was entertaining and light-hearted, President Obama did not forget to address one of his main purposes: reminding the audience of the important role the media plays in American society, especially during times of crisis such as the Boston Marathon bombing and the Texas Explosion. President Obama commends the media for being patient and making sure to relay correct and valid information to the public.

TOW 26: The Tipping Point - Intro

In the introduction of his book, The Tipping Point, Malcolm Gladwell defines a tipping point as "the moment of critical mass, the threshold, the boiling point." He then goes about introducing the main premise of the book, which is to explain the surprising phenomena of sociological changes that mark everyday life. Of how Hush Puppies went from being an almost out-of-business company to an overnight sensation, top-industry company that was in the ranks of Donna Karen and Calvin Klein; of how the crime rate in New York went from being at an all time high to an all time low. Gladwell uses straight up facts and statistics to create a credible foundation for his narrative. His tone is straightforward and candid yet inquisitive and curious, narrating as if he is discussing and speculating the topics at hand with the reader. Gladwell does this to inform the readers - to bring awareness to these mysterious tipping points, what they are and why they happen, and he does this effectively and in an interesting manner. 

TOW 25: When One Door Closes, Another Opens...

The saying, "when one door closes, another door opens," is often offered up in a gesture of condolences and comfort. However, in one of  US News' recent political cartoons, that saying had a different meaning in mind. In recent news, North Korea has been the source of much political tension. With constant (but harmless?) threats of starting war with its southern half of the country or blowing up the western part of the world, the United States has been forced to take part of this unwanted dispute. Walt Handelsman, author of the cartoon, is trying to show his audience, followers of the current political situation, that it never ends for America. Just when things were starting to look optimistic, what with the calming of Afghanistan and pulling out our troops, America is forced to get involved into yet another foreign dispute. The "when one door closes, another opens" saying is clearly not meant for optimism, the "one door closes" referring to Afghanistan and the "another" door referring to North Korea. Handelsman concisely and effectively got his point across, illustrating in an easy to understand manner.