NPR It's all Politics, Week #4 (#9 overall)

(LINK http://www.npr.org/2012/06/29/155978722/its-all-politics-june-28-2012)

                                                                       

Mutanatia was now sitting at his desk, looking eagerly at his students. “Welcome to week #4 of It’s All Politics from NPR, hosted by Ken Rudin and Ron Elving,” He said. “This is also our 9^th week. This unit, we’ll discuss a somewhat entertaining take on the news. Not only do these guys report political news in what I think is a relatively neutral way, but they also make jokes and have a laugh on the way.  It is by far the place I like listening to actual political news for a quick recap.

We’ll begin with a pre-class discussion: Why do you think every news media outlet, including NPR and FOX NEWS, were expecting the Supreme Court to strike down the Patient and Affordable Care Act, also known at Obamacare?  

Here are the discussion questions:”

1)    Do you think that Mitt Romney may actually be happy that the SCOTUS ruled the way it did (in secret, of course)? Do you think that this validation of Obamacare, in effect validated Romneycare?

2)    Regardless of outcome, do you think both sides are just glad to get this over with, because now they have something to actually talk about rather than its validity?

3)    Do you think that the “Show me your papers” law has the potential to go down the road of racial profiling?

He then passed out the homework:

Homework:

For the homework, this time, I am looking for a short essay:

In a brief, well-developed essay, describe the risks of the media, including blogs, reporting on events such as this one while assuming the outcome. Is this a generally positive thing to do, or a generally negative thing to do?

For the last NPR class before we take a 5-week break during which you will hear shows that will make you think, laugh, or both and are NOT related to politics, we will discuss the fallout of the SCOTUS’s decision.

It's All Politics, Week #3 (Week #8 overall)

(LINK http://www.npr.org/2012/05/15/152779651/its-all-politics-may-17-2012 )

                                                                       

Mutanatia was now sitting at his desk, looking eagerly at his students. “Welcome to week #3 of It’s All Politics from NPR, hosted by Ken Rudin and Ron Elving,” He said. “This is also our 8^th week. This unit, we’ll discuss a somewhat entertaining take on the news. Not only do these guys report political news in what I think is a relatively neutral way, but they also make jokes and have a laugh on the way.  It is by far the place I like listening to actual political news for a quick recap.

We’ll begin with a pre-class discussion: Considering Obama’s stance on gay rights, is it more relevant now than it had been in the past, especially in light of the recent Chik-Fil-A snafu?

Here are the discussion questions:”

1)    Do you think the specter of Jeremiah Wright should be raised again for this competition?

2)    Are the attacks on Mitt Romney for his relationship with Bain Capital legitimate in your opinion?

3)    Which is more important, the macro-economy or the micro-economy?

4)    Should Ron Paul pursue a candidacy?

He then passed out the homework:

Homework:

For the homework, please regurgitate what Elving and Rudin say about the following:

1)    What caused Obama to give his “famous speech” on race?

2)    Why do they think Obama is using Bain Capital to attack Romney?

3)    Describe the nature of Romney’s and Obama’s attack ads as presented in this podcast.

4)    Why is Ron Paul’s strategy “hard to watch?”

Week #1 (Week #6 overall) of It's all Politics

(LINK: http://www.npr.org/2012/05/04/152021058/its-all-politics-may-3-2012)

                                                                       

Mutanatia was now sitting at his desk, looking eagerly at his students. “Welcome to week #1, of It’s All Politics from NPR, hosted by Ken Rudin and Ron Elving,” He said. “This is also our 6^th week. This unit, we’ll discuss a somewhat entertaining take on the news. Not only do these guys report political news in what I think is a relatively neutral way, but they also make jokes and have a laugh on the way.  It is by far the place I like listening to actual political news for a quick recap.

The hottest political weeks this year have been from the virtually the whole month of May to the end of June and beginning of July. These 5 weeks of this unit will highlight these points in time.

For a quick overview, here are the main topics we are going to hit on:

Osama Bin Laden’s One-Year Death anniversary

Same-Sex Marriage (the political ramifications, not personal viewpoints… I hope…)

The specter of Jeremiah Wright (the political ramifications of bringing him “Back from the dead,” as it were)

The upholding of the Affordable Care Act (or Obamacare, depending on what side you are on) and the Fast and Furious Debacle (both in one week)

Mitt Romney’s reaction to the upholding of the Affordable Care Act/Obamacare

This week, we’ll begin with a pre-class discussion, and that is: research Ron Elving and Ken Rudin and tell me what you find out about them. Were you expecting the podcast to be biased? Why or why not? And, either way, did it live up to your expectations?

Let’s begin by discussing the Afghanistan trip that Barack Obama made to mark the One-Year Anniversary of the killing of Osama Bin Laden. We’ll start there before hitting the other topics, including Newt Gingrich dropping out of the Presidential Primary for the Republican side, and the Wisconsin primary. Answer 3 of the following questions:

11)    Some opponents of President Obama would say that not only the trip to Afghanistan, but also his appearance on Rock Center, the trip to Ground Zero, and so forth, were part of a “victory lap” that did not seem really befitting of the president. What do you, personally, think of this theory?

2

22)    Mitt Romney sort of “Shadowed” President Obama’s “victory lap” about OBL’s death, traveling to a 9/11 firehouse, and so forth. Some may say that this is not befitting of a candidate either. The larger question is, should 9/11 and/or Osama Bin Laden’s death actually be something to be politicized, or is it a “universal event?”

33)    We also have contrasting viewpoints presented between drone strikes and torturing a “handful” of terrorists. Are any of these justified? If so, under what circumstances?

4

44)    Newt Gingrich sort of gives a half-hearted endorsement, comparing Romney to Reagan (Who may be a Democrat by today’s standards), and he pretty much says, “like it or not, this is our nominee.” Why do you think he did that? What purpose does it accomplish?

5

55)    One of the things that Elving and Rudin bring up is that Bachmann is a “champion” of the Tea Party. However, when discussing Marco Rubio, Hispanics are quickly to point out that Hispanics are a diverse group. Is the same true of the Tea Party in your opinion? If so, does the endorsement by Bachmann mean anything?

6

66)    There is also the curious issue of Mr. Grunell (spelling?). There is clearly more to this story than simply firing something because he is gay. Find an article on his tweets.

7

77)    Elving and Rudin suggest that Dick Lugar will lose the election. It turned out that he did lose the election. The Onion (a parody newspaper) shortly thereafter called it the “Extinction of Moderate Republicans.” Would you agree with this sentiment if taken seriously?

8

88)    Scott Walker won the recall election shortly after this podcast. Does this necessarily mean anything, in your opinion, for the General Presidential election? Pay careful attention to the disparity in campaign funds.

He then passed out the homework:

Homework:

For the homework, please regurgitate what Elving and Rudin say about the following:

11)    What is the big “oops” that they talk about in the first segment? Please note that they were vague, but if you followed the events then, you should be able to figure it out.

22)    Describe Gingrich’s “endorsement” of Romney according to them.

33)    Describe how the two sides, Romney and Obama, presented themselves during Obama’s “victory lap” to mark the Anniversary of Osama Bin Laden’s death.

44)    What is that woman screaming at Mitt Romney in the sound bite?

55)    I can think of a similar instance within recent memory where something in the line of a shouted comment at Obama occurred. Name it. Please note: the connotation and verbiage is completely different.   

Have we an Elder Statesman in the house?

Have we had a President that was an Elder Statesman, as the founding fathers wanted, in recent memory? Before we begin, let me define what an Elder Statesman is:

An Elder Statesman, in my opinion, is one who is above the fray, one who is smart, has a professional demeanor (this is subjective and I am using it in the STRICTEST sense), and can communicate with other nations and be taken seriously. My gold standard for this—and we are NOT talking policy at ALL here, just the above criteria—is Colin Powell. I can link (and probably will) to so many times where he’s been attacked by Cheney since leaving office. Not once did he ever attack Cheney himself. Sure, he’s told Cheney he’s an idiot—but that was by attacking his argument, not his person.

Let’s begin, shall we?

Ford—no, he fell down stairs a lot, and pardoned someone who was almost assuredly a criminal. This fails the appearance/demeanor part of it.

Carter – not at all, fails all three. Read his book “Palestine: Peace not Apartheid” for information why… how can you be professional if your own book doesn’t have footnotes. That, as well as the whole “Dial a President” thing and appearing in cardigans and not a suit…

Reagan – serious? Yes. Smart? Sure. Above the Fray? Not terribly. Demeanor seems to fail here, but I’m ot sure why. He COULD have been one, but it is difficult to tell, having not been alive.

GHWB – yes, but his demeanor failed him. To broadcast himself on Saturday Night Live is an automatic disqualifier (yes, he did have a message sent to the show by him and aired).

GWB – no on demeanor, yes on smart (to a degree), no on being above the fray.

(Bill) Clinton – no on demeanor, yes on above the fray, iffy on smartness (he did lie under oath). Communication/being taken seriously by others? No.

Nixon – I’d give him a yes on everything up until Watergate… and then it’s downhill from there.

Obama – yes on communication, yes on smartness, no on demeanor (See: his singing videos), no on above the fray.

Conclusion: There has been NO “Elder Statesman” that fits the criteria that I am looking for.

Class #4: Real Time With Bill Maher, Class #4 of 5

(LINK: http://www.hbo.com/real-time-with-bill-maher#/real-time-with-bill-maher/episodes/0/249-episode/synopsis/quotes.html)

                                                                       

Mutanatia was now sitting at his desk, looking eagerly at his students. When his students sat down, he said, “Hello and welcome to Week #4 of Real Time with Bill Maher, also our second-to-last week of this unit. Before we begin, let’s get to the pre-class discussion: What did you find out about Mike Daisey? Does it make his ‘testimony,’ for lack of a better word more or less credible in your eyes?”

Our final Bill Maher Class will be on Friday, July 13^th, 2012. On the following Friday, we will begin an NPR unit on “It’s All Politics” with Ron Elving and Ken Rudin. The reason why I’ve chosen to stack it like this is because I don’t what will the be “best” (or “worst,” depending on whose side you’re on) for the year, and there is so much news guaranteed to come out between here and the end of the year.

Now, to the questions and homework:

1)    Find a statement you agree with and explain why. Discuss with others and be prepared to defend your viewpoint civilly. There may be nothing you agree with. Please state why this is the case.

2)    Find a statement you disagree with and explain why. Discuss with others and be prepared to defend your viewpoint civilly.

This episode originally aired on 5/18/2012. Topics included Billionaire Campaign donations, the Media, Masculinity, Wall Street, and Violence in Mexico.”

He then passed out the homework:

Homework:

1)    Fact-check one of the quotes found in the list (or on the overtime segment) and tell me why it is, or isn’t, accurate.

2)    What does Bill Maher think about the media?

3)    Evaluate Jeremy Scahill.