WEEK TWO

Example:

Claim (Causal): If Ralph Nader had not been campaigning for the Presidency, Al Gore would have easily won the election, even in the electoral college.

PLEASE DON'T PICK THIS CLAIM. IT IS ONLY AN EXAMPLE!

Claim (recommendation): We, as a nation, and as individuals, must not allow hatred to flourish as a result of the outrage we rightfully feel over the events that transpired on September eleventh.

Along with the rest of the world, I watched and listened as the reports of the devastation wrought last Tuesday in New York and Washington, D.C. were broadcast. I was flooded with emotions ranging from shock and dismay to outrage to an overwhelming sadness. As early on in the news coverage Osama bin Laden's terrorist organization was named as likely to have been responsible for the attacks, I also wondered what repercussions there might be for other innocent people, especially Arabs and Muslims in this country. Almost immediately I began to hear reports of hateful acts against Muslims: a molotov cocktail tossed through the window of a mosque, anti-Arab graffiti on a freeway overpass, and pig's blood dumped on the doorstep of a Muslim assistance organization. It is to be hoped that these sorts of incidents are not widespread; however, these sentiments and especially these acts must be addressed. We, as a nation and as individuals, must not allow hatred to flourish as a result of the outrage we rightfully feel over the events that transpired on September eleventh.

It is illegal to commit acts against a person simply because he is from an Arab country, or practices Islam. With good reason, there are federal laws against "hate crimes"; that is, crimes targeting an individual for reasons of race, religion, gender, or a number of other statuses. The FBI as well as local authorities must be proactive in ensuring the safety of all citizens, including persons of Arab descent and Muslims who are especially vulnerable right now. In Detroit, Michigan, where there is a sizeable Arab-American community, extra police have been assigned to help safeguard the security of Arabs and Muslims. This comes in the wake of several reported incidents including numerous death threats to Muslims sent via e-mail, angry callers to local talk radio shows vociferously spouting their bigoted threats across the airwaves, and female students who are afraid to go to school because their veils mark them as Islamic targets of ridicule and possible violence. Most of these people are law-abiding, tax-paying, productive citizens of the United States, who love their country, and who deserve protection of their civil rights. The laws we have in this country are, I believe, adequate to cope with this type of crime, but it is imperative that they be rigorously enforced.

This type of bigotry is not only illegal, but it is illogical. One incident this past week in the Detroit area points out the faulty logic and ignorance of perpetrators of this kind of act. A Sikh man was run off the road by a person who shouted anti-Arab epithets. Sikhs are not Arab, nor are they Muslim, but they wear turbans as part of their religious observances. Thus, the person who did this act committed several errors of logic: First, he started with inadequate or faulty information (thinking that the Sikh man was a Muslim Arab). Second, apparently convinced that an extremist Muslim group was behind Tuesday's attacks, he has leapt from this "fact" to the faulty conclusion that all Muslims are evil, or that all Muslims want the United States to suffer. This blanket generalization, stereotyping all Arabs or all Muslims as a menace to our way of life, must be seen as erroneous and counterproductive. I would like to believe that most Americans are too intelligent and sophisticated to be taken in by this sort of oversimplified view of the world.

This kind of anti-Arab sentiment is not only contrary to the laws of the land and the laws of logic, it is just plain morally wrong. This country was founded on the Judeo-Christian ethic, one of whose main tenets is "Love thy neighbor." America has historically been known as a country of generosity and kindness, helping people around the world, of all races and religions, in times of crisis and need. When there have been earthquakes and famines, Americans have been the first to offer aid. Are we to be less kind to those living within our own borders? Largely due to the Judeo-Christian heritage of the founding fathers, our country established the Bill of Rights to affirm the civil liberties of all individuals, and America continues to shine as a beacon of freedom to the rest of the world. We need to take the moral high ground of valuing a person simply because of his personhood; or, to paraphrase Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., to judge a person not by the color of his skin but by the content of his character.

In the midst of the devastation and ruin this past week, it is truly heartwarming to see the tremendous capacity of the American heart for good. The firefighters who went in to try to save lives, many of whom lost theirs, are a shining example of what is good and right in this country. So, too, are the countless thousands of people who have patiently waited in long lines to donate blood this week. The candlelight vigils, the flags flying everywhere, and the many worship services of prayer and mourning all attest to our desire to connect in some way with those who are suffering. We all wish to do something to help, to somehow bring some good out of this horrible event. Americans have responded to an evil act with an outpouring of love. We have the good fortune to live in an amazingly open, free, and diverse society. There is no room in this kind of civilized country for hatred of our fellow man. If we allow the fomenting of bigotry and hatred, as in the case of these anti-Muslim crimes and threats, we become the very evil that we deplore. I believe that America is better than that.

Claim (Recommendation): The recent events of attack on our country demand a reaction from the American people—a reaction of unity and strength.

Cries of pain and tears of sorrow can, at this moment, be heard from every corner the country. Unbelievable acts of hatred have invaded our shores. Tuesday, September 11, 2001 at nine o'clock in the morning, hijacked planes ripped through the World Trade Center buildings—buildings that symbolized the great freedom and successful economy of America. Only minutes later another hijacked plane crashed into the Pentagon—a symbol of our nation's great military strength. An hour and a half of destruction and horror passed; then yet another plane overtaken by terrorists crashed in Pennsylvania. America stopped, our jaws hanging in shock; suddenly unknown villains were threatening the very sense of security and safety that we all took for granted. It only took minutes for the lives of thousands of people to be changed forever, and for some a loss of life completely. President Bush addressed the nation on Tuesday evening and said, "they can attack the foundations of our buildings, but they will never shake the foundations of this great country." This unanticipated attack is a wake up call to us all. These devastating events offer us an opportunity to demonstrate our resilience, an opportunity to come together as the men and women of America and stand together in Unity. Unity is our greatest strength, the true essence of this country's power, and the very thing we must have in order to prevail.

These times are a call for compassion. We watch with pride as our fellow citizens, devoted men and women, do not stop in their search for survivors in New York City. We also must honor those who have been working for hours to give medical attention to the victims, those who offer support to the workers, those who have not slept in days. Compassionate thoughts and heartfelt prayers should go to those families that sit and wait to hear word regarding their missing loved ones. Our compassion should go to the three little girls who continue to wait anxiously, hoping their mother will be found within the piles of rubble and be returned home so they can wrap their arms around her—a day that might never come. For the hundreds of firemen that marched up the stairs of the World Trade Center, without a second thought, to answer the cries for help echoing through the streets. They knew the risk, and yet they continued on their march—a march that led them to their death as the building collapsed on top of them. They will be remembered as heroic, compassionate people, and it is such behavior that we should all strive to demonstrate. No amount of threat or terror can strip the compassion from the hearts of the American people. The events of this past week have proved just that.

These times are a call for love. Love is the most powerful antidote for hatred, and it is hatred that is attempting to disrupt our way of life. It is hatred that motivates a group of men to commit such heinous crimes. The only way to fight back against this type of ignorance and violence is to arm ourselves with the power of love. Love will heal the broken hearts of the people of the United States—for it is the truest healing. It only takes a little effort to create an omnipresent feeling of love, and it would be greatest contribution we could make. Love will ensure that no one suffers alone. If we make a conscious effort to offer love to each and every person we come into contact with, we will have an impact greater than any bomb or terrorist could ever hope to achieve. When stripped of our titles, our social status, our achievements, and our frivolous possessions, we are all human beings; we are all afraid, we are all vulnerable, we are all fragile, and we all need to know that we are loved. Loving arms are what we can offer to the many people who are suffering. Now, not next week, not tomorrow, right now we must make a concentrated effort to show love to our fellow human beings. Within the comfort of each other's arms, we can endure most anything.

These times are a call for harmony. It is saddening to hear that over the past few days, there have been attacks on innocent people because of the color of their skin. People consumed by fear and ignorance acting in rage against American citizens of Middle Eastern decent. This behavior is appalling. Our energies should be focused on harmony amongst ourselves, not striking out at one another. How can we possibly move forward in destroying the enemies who have assaulted our nation if we are too busy assaulting our own people. The people of America must demand harmony within this country. Harmony draws us closer to one another and will most certainly make us stronger. Harmony with each other is a powerful demonstration of this country's dignity; we are a people who will chose to react to ignorance with intelligence and determination. Harmony reminds us to treasure the loved ones we are fortunate enough to have close to us. Harmony reminds us to appreciate every breath of life that we take. Most simply put, harmony is something we simply will not survive without.

We are a mighty nation. We will overcome these tragedies and see justice prevail. A great speaker once said, "there is not enough darkness in this world to put out the light of one single candle." There is also not enough anger in this world to destroy a single act of compassion, or enough hatred in this world to overcome the power of love. There is not enough dissonance in this world to overcome the strength of harmony, and there is definitely not enough terror in the world to overcome the might of this unified nation.

Claim (Causal/Recommendation): Young children who are held responsible for household chores develop key traits necessary to their future performance and well being.

My three children wake up each morning like any other children in America with the thoughts of school on their minds. Among the early priorities of eating breakfast and getting dressed, they have a list of household chores for which they are responsible. They make their beds, clean up their rooms, wash their breakfast dishes, and feed the cats. This takes them about fifteen minutes to complete if they work on the chores together. The benefits that accompany chore lists give children the sense of responsibility. Having children do some of the menial jobs in the house save the parents from having to spend time doing them. Children who spend time doing chores have less idle time, which is where mischief and laziness creep in. Young children who are held responsible for household chores develop key traits necessary to their future performance and well being.

Parents are saddled with the brunt of the responsibility when it comes to making sure their children develop certain character traits and don't fall in the pits of less desirable ones. A systematically family planned chore list, with rewards and penalties, can be a great benefit in helping develop virtuous traits. Chores help children learn responsibility when they are assigned tasks. They know the rewards and punishments and learn to do the chores on their own. According to Ambrose Robinson, co-author of the book How To Raise An MVP, "responsibility is much more than doing chores or being obedient. It means caring about how your actions make other people feel and understanding why rules are important." By completing tasks and earning these rewards, they will grow in self-confidence and self-worth. This growth in confidence alone can help them when it comes time to handle bigger projects later in life. A child must first be shown how the job is supposed to be done. He can't be faulted for not doing a thorough job if they were not shown the correct procedure. Robinson states "children need to learn household basics for proficiency in selecting the right tool for the job. All my children learned to become self-sufficient at an early age." This falls in line with the Old Testament passage from Proverbs 22:6, "Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it." Children will learn personal accountability when the job doesn't get done, and they have to suffer the consequences, leaving no one to blame but themselves. Children will seek the rewards of doing a commendable job. Whether their earnings are of monetary value or free time privileges, rewards should always be accompanied with praise.

In addition to the positive work ethics learned by children, parents will also benefit from chore lists. In a lot of homes today, both parents are forced into the workforce, yet the list of chores around the house is still the same. Parents spend weekends and late nights trying to keep up with what there wasn't time to do during the work week. As a result, children must then sacrifice time with their parents because the parents still have a 'to do' list to tackle. Children mature at an early age and can handle more responsibility than we assumed at their age. Making children responsible for the menial tasks around the house can alleviate the added pressure on their parents and free up some time. This time can in turn become 'family time' as parents and children share the free time they've earned from pitching in together. Parents' 'to-do' lists are therefore shorter, and parents are less stressed about what else they have to do. This 'free' family time becomes an additional reward for all to enjoy, making family members grow closer together. Working together as a family to get the work done brings a sense of family pride.

Another benefit is that children stay busy if they have chores to do. Children given the responsibility of chores will have less idle time, which is the devil's workshop, so to speak. A manageable list of chores combined with studies, sporting activities, hobbies, music, and limited free time gives a child a sense of balance. Balance in a child's life keeps him from becoming a couch potato or a menace to the neighborhood. Robinson explains, "I'd always give the children things to keep them busy and out of trouble. I'd tell them they either had to do their studies or I'd find another chore." Having free time can be a reward children earn from completing chores on their own. Instead of just being able to do what they want, when they want, they are required to earn it. The responsibility they learn from doing chores can bleed over into other aspects of their lives, such as time management and self motivation. Children become familiar with the amount of time it takes to do a certain job. Keeping a child busy, not through meaningless tasks, but a well thought out and manageable chore list, can help prevent a generation of idle minds and bodies.

Although chore lists may lead to questions of possibility and practicality, there is no need to fear them. They are not a feat only trained professionals should attempt, but a manageable tool that any parent can use. Children learn countless lessons and valuable life skills through chore responsibilities. It can give them a boost emotionally. The adjusted free time this plan would produce could allow families to enjoy more time together. Time spent on chores and other constructive activities means less time for mischief and laziness. It doesn't take constant harping and threats for this to work. It will work simply if the entire family develops the plan together and is committed to it completely. Parents who love their children and want the best for them should be able to see the lasting benefits a plan like this could bring. Considering the benefits versus the detriments, it is hard to imagine why a structured chore program isn't a part of every family's life.

Claim (Recommendation): In the long run, buying a new car has far more advantages than buying a used car.

Buying a car, whether new or used, from a dealer or private party, is never a comforting experience. The amount of money a consumer spends on a new car is usually more than the individual can afford. The amount of money a consumer spends on a used car is rarely worth the purchase. When a consumer buys a new car, the investment depreciates as soon as the car is driven off the dealership lot. When a consumer buys a used car, there is usually a very limited warranty in time and coverage, and the car ends up in the repair shop more than it is driven. The first car I bought was six years old. At the end of the first six month period of ownership, the engine seized, the alternator no longer charged the battery, and the car failed annual inspection. After that horrific experience, I vowed I would never buy a used car again. In the long run, the advantages of buying a new car far outweigh the advantages of buying a used car.

When buying a used car from a dealer, the price paid is usually much higher than it would be if the car were traded in at a dealership. The price of the car is increased in order to make a profit. However, this price increase is less desirable to the consumer because she could buy it privately at near trade-in value. The disadvantage to buying a used car in a private sale is that unless the car has some time left on its original warranty, it comes with no warranty. In a private sale, there is also no option to purchase an extended warranty. The warranty on a used car bought from a dealer, if bought after the original warranty has expired, is usually only for thirty days or 1,000 miles, and only for limited repairs. If the used car is bought from a dealership and still carries a warranty from the original purchaser, an extended warranty is usually needed in order to cover costs of unexpected repairs. Some feel that by buying a used car, they are saving money because the used car is far less expensive than a new car. What most consumers don't understand is that the car will end up costing more money in the long run due to necessary repairs. When the car is in the shop for these repairs, a rental car is necessary, thus costing more money. Instead of constantly having to bring a car in for repairs and consequently having to rent cars, why not simply buy a new car with a full warranty?

Repairs and warranty are not the only disadvantages a consumer is faced with when buying a used car. If the purchaser is like most consumers, the car must be financed in some way. While the price of the used vehicle is less, the time allowed for repaying the car loan is substantially shorter. A new car can be financed for as long as six years, whereas a used car has a financing limit of only three years. Assuming the purchaser would obtain approval for the same interest rate regardless of whether the car is new or used, the shortened repayment term makes the used car's monthly payments just as high as if a new car had been bought. Although the consumer buying a new car is locked into payments for a longer period of time, the new car will have a higher trade in value as well as less time spent in repair shops. Given the above, why would a consumer choose to purchase a used car over a new car?

When shopping for a car, the consumer is assumed to be looking for the best deal and the best value. For the same monthly payment, a consumer could purchase a new car with a longer warranty, longer life, and higher trade-in value. Albeit, new cars depreciate faster than used cars, the money saved by buying a new car is substantial. These savings are in the form of no more rentals, no more costly repairs, and no more unnecessary time spent bringing the car in for repairs and picking up the rental car from the merchant. The options for purchase on a new car are greater as well. A new car can be bought outright, financed or leased. Obviously, buying the car outright is the most advantageous option, but most consumers do not have the cash on hand for such a purchase. By financing a new car, the new owner can claim increased assets once the car is paid off. By leasing a new car, the owner has the option of returning the car at the end of the lease term, only financing a portion of the value of the car, and less of a chance of having the car taken away due to judgments or the like because the car is not owned by the consumer. Due to the greater advantages of owning or leasing a new car, the new car owner has a greater sense of satisfaction that in turn gives the new owner a greater sense of self-worth.

Each time I trade in a car for a new car, the feeling of satisfaction I get is immeasurable. Buying a used car has never been a satisfying experience for me, especially after my first experience with it. However, for those of us living in Orange County, driving a newer car is essential to acceptance, as shallow as that sounds. Having moved from a small town on Cape Cod, Massachusetts, where old beat-up cars are commonplace, it is even more apparent that Orange County is a place where what people have and what they drive is how they are judged. Although it has been shown that there are advantages to buying a used car, such as a shorter financing term and a lower initial cost, those advantages are short lived when the car is in need of repairs. As such, the disadvantages of buying a used car far outweigh the advantages. Buying a new car saves money and time in the end. I recommend that everyone look at the advantages and disadvantages of being a used or a new car before purchase.

This past week was an extremely difficult one, not only for Americans in the United States and throughout the world, but for many other families affected by the tragic events taking place in Washington, DC and New York City. The scenes depicted on every major network television station were horrifying. They were hardly a topic for family discussion. Parents all over our country were at a loss to explain such frightening, violent headlines to each other, let alone try to explain to their children. Despite the awkwardness and aversion to expose children to such devastation, this is precisely the time to face their questions head-on, with as much truthfulness and compassion as can be mustered in such a chaotic, terrifying time.

Children need to be able to have unwavering, absolute trust in their parents. They need to know that they can go to a parent with any problem they may have, no matter how uncomfortable the situation may be to discuss. Without such open communication, our children will have great difficulty dealing with their feelings in a positive, healthy way. They could develop unhealthy and inappropriate reactions to all kinds of challenges in their lives as a result of not being able to process fearful, angry, sad, or even violent feelings of their own.

Schools, churches, or sports groups may be good settings to begin to approach our children with questions about their feelings about the events taking place this week. Sometimes children feel more at ease in these environments with only their friends and a trusted advisor or perhaps a coach. It may even be possible to set up a special forum involving school or church groups just to talk about their reactions and their fears.

Even more important than discussing fears and reactions is the change that must take place to begin to turn this demented terrorist mentality into one of compassion and acceptance of diversity. Americans can no longer imagine that this criminal, violent lifestyle cannot touch their own. Citizens of the United States can no longer dismiss these occurrences on foreign soil as someone else's problem, far removed from our daily routine. This week's despicable actions have struck fear in the heart of every American. The mighty United States has now been counted as a victim of terrorism on a huge scale, even bigger than other countries where we see acts of terrorism daily on our evening news. It somehow seemed so far away. That was before September 11, 2001. American lives will never again be the same. Even if security slips back into complacency at our airports or international borders, September 11 will always loom in the minds of Americans, and the first time a “foreigner” is seen acting in a way that may be construed as suspicious, the terror will spring up again. The first time a large crowd is gathered, the news media will make reference to the fact that terrorism is a possibility, and the terror will spring up again. The first time there is an aviation accident, the terror will spring up again. When there is an influenza outbreak, someone will bring up the point that it may not be a virus at all, but perhaps chemical warfare. Is the water supply safe? Is the atmosphere tainted? Are terrorists waiting for Americans to gather at churches or schools so they will have greater opportunity to affect a larger number of people? The terror will continue to spring up again and again. How do we protect our children? What do we tell them?

We can't live in such a tumultuous world. We must fervently begin to reeducate our children to embrace diversity and accept other cultures. We must teach our children that every human being has as much a right to be here on this earth as they do. We must teach them to live without fear. Instead, they must live with courage and a sense of equity and charity for every living thing on this planet. Without that respect for life, the human race is in great danger of annihilation. This week could easily be the beginning of the end of life on our planet, and in fact the end of the planet itself. If we don't quickly and inexhaustibly reverse the hatred that causes horrendous acts of violence and cowardice that the human race continually inflicts on its own members, we could be looking at a very speedy end to all life on this earth.

Our children deserve the truth. They don't need to be presented with every gruesome detail, but they need to know the gravity of the predicament our governments have created. They need to reverse years of prejudice, hatred, bigotry, and small-minded thinking. We need to step up to this challenge. When our children ask us what really happened on September 11, we need to be truthful. We can't protect them from man's atrocities; they are too great. This does not by any stretch of the imagination mean we should excuse this criminal behavior. It simply means we need to let the children know there are things that exist in our society that we have allowed to continue for too long. We need to leave a legacy for our children that we know will endure because it is right and fair. We owe our children, grandchildren, and their children and grandchildren a chance to live decent lives. The first step to leaving that to our children is to live that way ourselves. We can't possibly expect our children to change the course of the future or change a long held prejudice when we can't bring ourselves to start that process first. The horrendous events that took place on Tuesday seem to scream to every American in the world that we are due for a change. It needs to start with us. It needs to start right now, today, in our homes, our workplaces, our schools, and most importantly our hearts and minds. There must be consequences for the lawless, thoughtless, cowardly acts that took place. We need to be sure the consequences are something our children and future generations can live with, both figuratively and literally.