Video Final Draft

Exploring Issue 3

In this video I attempt to show viewers the two opposing views surrounding the recent amendment to the Ohio State Constitution to allow gambling. While their are  many different voices opposing the amendment, my video tries to show how the amendment shortchanges Ohio and favors the Casino developers.

I also wanted to show how some of the people who voted for the amendment did not really know the facts. It’s no wonder with all the propaganda adds put out by both sides of the debate. Most of these adds which aired on TV got thousands of hits on youtube. But the debate between Dan Gilbert and the Mayor of Youngstown received only a few hundred hits. This is concerning, since it brought to light many of the issues behind the amendment. None of the TV adds did this. And Dan Gilbert, perhaps the most important figure in the campaign speaks out on his personal views on Issue 3.

Just like any other election, I believe the best way to form an opinion on an issue is to watch the debates. It’s too bad that most Ohian’s based their vote on propaganda campaigns instead.

The background music is the soundtrack from Casino Royale. I hoped that it would help make the debate a little more interesting.

The add I included was paid for by an organization called TruthPac. They actually do fund out of state casinos. But they do have a point on the details of the amendment. Besides TruthPac, numerous religious organizations opposed the amendment. Many voters are turned off by religious bias. However, many elected officials like the Mayor of Youngstown voiced their opposition to the amendment.

Dan Gilbert poured millions of his own wallet into the campaign. He also stands to gain millions more with the Casinos he will build. In addition, Penn National, Governor Ted Strickland, the Fraternal Order of Police in Ohio (who will get a large piece of the pie, not to say they don’t deserve it), and numerous Ohio union supported the amendment.

Co-chair for TruthPac, Louis Blessing, said that talks have begun to propose another amendment in May. This amendment would raise the tax rate and ensure that cash wagering is taxed. Columbus residents actually voted down the measure by 58%, a reversal of the results in Cleveland and Cincinnati. Because of this, some Columbus city officials are attempting to fight the proposed location of a casino in the Arena district. It seems the opponents of issue three are saying that the fight is not over yet.

References:

The Columbus Dispatch

The Cleveland Plain Dealer

The Ohio Department of Employment and Family Services

Video Argument Proposal

Casinos in Ohio: I would like to argue that most young people (18-30) hold an opinion on Casino’s in Ohio based on limited “heresay” or personal benefit; rather than the negative or positive impact that they will have on Ohio’s economy. Opinions that I have heard seem to be the same. “They will create jobs.” But how? No one really seems to know the details. “They will have a negative social impact like bringing in prostitution.” But no one seems to have a logical argument to back up this claim.

Dachau Concentration Camp

Apathetic Nation

I thought Niaz Masharrof’s video, “America for Dummies” painted a compelling picture of American apathy. The documentary argued that Americans, and especially the youth were ignorant of the world around them. He also seemed to blame this on our education system, and our shallow cultural icons.

Why was this video so convincing? Well, besides great camera work, Niaz provided a powerful visual argument by appealing strongly to logic. The scene at the beginning with his friends studying the picture of Kofi Annon trying to rack their brains for his name, was funny and interesting choice of language using words like, “nigga.” At one time, this word incited social outrage, before that it was used to stereotype, but today it is synonomous with “dude.”

Naiz choice of photos was interesting. He chose powerful figures, Kofi Annon, Alberto Gonzales, and Donald Rumsfield, but not, unfortunately household names with the average American. This works, because his target audience is Americans. As an American, you would feel guilty and a little embarrassed if you did not immediately recognize all three of these figures. Making the viewer feel ignorant is a slam dunk for his arguments. If I don’t know who this person is, then certainly the majority of Americans don’t either.

When he switches to celebrity icons the viewer, like the people on the street, has to immediately recognize every photo. I have to be honest, my brain registered each of the celebrity photos in a split second, but I definitely had to think about the Secretary of Defense and Attorney General for a moment. This video reminds me of the Tonight Show with Jay Leno, and his segment called “jay-walking.” He would ask similar questions and receive equally ignorant responses. There are two rhetorical differences, that make Naiz’s video more compelling.

First, he establishes his own ethos. He is from Bangladesh. Already, he has a one-up from the average American, simply because of his ethnic perspective.  He also tells stories of his own painful  experiences with racial ignorance. His suffering adds to his moral credibility with the audience.

Second, using images, instead of just phrasing a question like, ‘who is the Secretary General?’ puts the viewer in the visual shoes of the people on the street.

Naiz also uses “experts” from his high school to persuade the viewer that this apathy stems from our educational system. Even though we don’t know anything about the credentials of these two men, it effectively provides the illusion of expertise.

Finally, Naiz pulls his visual argument together by pointing out the “why.” Why is it important to know who these men are? Well, they all held to positions of power when 9/11 happened. And, heaven forbid, we ever elect another president like George Bush. Bringing in his own political views here, takes away from his own ethos, in my opinion. But his point behind it is valid. If we don’t pay any attention to the world around us, then how can we be informed voters?

The call to action provides a strong finish to his argument. Overall, I thought the video was rhetorically excellent.

 

 

Dachau Concentration Camp

I went to Germany last year, and one of the most memorable parts of the trip was our visit to Dachau Concentration Camp. Two of the images are from the camp, and I am debating on the  third image. I think I want to make the third image the peaceful countryside of Germany. I want to argue, that racial and religious intolerance allowed these things to go on during World War II. I hope to show the contrast between the complacency of the peaceful German countryside and the evil that happened within the camp’s walls. I hope to compare this to modern complacency, particularly in America towards racial and religious persecution. I want to make these images a statement of the danger of intolerance. After all this was not that long ago.

Hooked on Phonics Audio

The following link is a sample reenactment of my mother teaching me to read and then my attempt to teach my mom how to text message.

http://drop.io/upeinvm#

LeeAnn Womack

“I hope you dance”

Greatest Hits

MCA Nashville, May 4, 2004

CD

Hooked on Phonics

I take literacy for granted. Like walking, I don’t really remember not having that ability. When was it not effortless? But I suppose it’s the same for most people. Before I ever went to kindergarten, my mother made sure that I knew how to read. My parents had high expectations for me, and maybe that’s why my sister always claimed I was the golden child. At least until I turned fourteen or so.

I remember learning phonics through charts and flashcards she made. I had to learn every syllable by ear.

“Sound it out,” she commanded if I struggled with a vowel or diphthong or consonant.

But it was never a chore for me, I loved it. I’m not sure if it was reading words that motivated me or the desire to please. I remember eating up the praise she gave me.

Mom made it fun. Each sound had an animal printed on the over-sized flashed card.  A horse for the “ch” sound, a badger for the “sh” sound, and so on. I would sound out parts of words for days over and over. One day it must have clicked when I was able to put the sound together and create words.

And so that is how I learned to love to read before the first day of kindergarten.

Fast-forward to eighteen years later. I work at a cell phone store, so Mom does not see the need to read a phone manual. When I finally convinced her to learn to text, she turned into a challenging customer. Mothers always know best. Even when they come to you for help.

“No it’s your turn Mom,’ I hand the phone to her, after several demonstrations on how to send a text.

“Where do I go again?” she wrinkles her forehead.

“Go to the part that says ‘messaging’,” I unsuccessfully attempt to keep the annoyance out of my voice. I wander why it’s much more difficult to be patient with my mom than an irate stranger, waiving their phone in my face.

“Ok, why is it only giving me numbers? How do I switch it to letters!” She exclaims, exasperated.

“Well, it’s giving you numbers because that’s the section that says ‘add contact.’ To type the message, you need to scroll down to the giant box that says, message.”

Mom gazes at me steadily with that look that -once-upon-a-time- struck fear into my heart.

“Forget it! This phone is clearly too complicated. The only reason I’m trying to learn this is for you anyway!” She throws the phone down on the end table.

And so my mother learned that it’s best to just read the manual.

Hey ya’ll

Hi!

I’m student at Ohio State, majoring in Journalism. Go Bucks! I’m pumped about my first blog, because I love to write. I want to have a career in the media once I graduate. I think this ever-evolving field is exciting and full of opportunity. I also love politics.I watch the news obsessively. I listen to talk radio and I’m not afraid to take crap for it.

I come from a large family. 4 younger brothers, 1 older, and 26 cousins (on my mom’s side alone). I love my family. They come first before anything. It’s been rough since  I moved to Columbus a year ago from my small town just north of Dayton, Ohio. Life moves so quickly at this stage. It’s exciting, but bittersweet to leave behind the people that I love.

I work full time for Verizon Wireless. While I don’t want to make retail my career, it’s not a bad gig. I make great money and I get to meet interesting people

Hitting the gym is my therapy. I need something to keep me sane with 40 hour work weeks and 15 credit hours. So I work out. A lot. Wine helps too. And if it’s been a really rough week, patron on ice.

I’m half-Mexican, so tacos are my favorite. I’m also pretty good at cleaning.

Reading is not a chore for me. I’m a bit of  a book nerd. I love the classics, biographies, and anything to do with current affairs. I just finished reading Steinbeck’s Grapes of Wrath for the second time.

After I finish school, I would like to travel. I want to see the places I’ve read about. Other cultures fascinate me. I want to go to Law school, although I don’t want to be a lawyer. One day you will know me as a best-selling author. Hopefully.

For now,  I just need to finish Digital Media Composing.