Borders Beyond Control

This article was probably the most interesting articles I've read about immigration. Though, I didn't quite understand the diaspora model, his opinions on the solution to immigration problems were right on target. He proposes that the world badly needs better immigration policies to be better spread and codified in regard to every nation. Some nations "grasp reality and work with migrants and migration." Other nations "lag behind, still seeking restrictive measures to control and cut the level of migration." He enunciates that we should "accelerate the process and propose a new architectural institution - one at an international level " to monitor the immigrants inward and outward. 

Educated, Experienced, and Out of work: long-term joblessness continues

By looking at the demographics of long-term unemployment in 2003, the book states that long-term employment is a problem for women. This seemed to be such an obvious stat because it is often hard for women to keep jobs or let alone get them. What surprised by though, was that the book states " ...it is not surprising that men are more susceptible to long-term joblessness." Aren't these along the same lines? Why is it different? 

chapters 2-3 of "thank you for arguing"

Boy...was this a very compelling reading. I found myself reading lines over and over again because the author really makes you think about the situation. I think the hardest thing for me to defer was the difference between an argument and fight. He states that an argument gets people to do what you want, and a fight is an argument until you reach agreement...They both seem like ambiguous definitions which was really hard for me to differentiate situations. 

He also talks about the basic devices to determine the outcome of an argument. These are right to the point and is taken into account on any kind of situation: setting your personal goal, and setting your goals for your audience. Though, the author does not mention the connection between Cicero's three goals for persuading people and these devices. I think it is assumed that the two have a connection. I think that Cicero's goals ( change their mood, change their opinion, and get them to act) are accomplished once the basic devices are accomplished. 

Outsourcing - "Trading Jobs"

I know this blog topic was already past due, but I ran behind on my reading and making up the blog posts as well. 

One thing that caught my eye in "Trading Jobs", is the section: "Does the increase in offshore outsourcing of jobs from the United States Pose major Economic Threats to American workers?" One side, believes that offshore outsourcing will be more developed in innovation and create more jobs. The other side, believes that offshore outsourcing will be harmful to workers in the U.S. because unemployment rates will increase - other developing countries workers' are simply taking the jobs that they have. In my opinion, the first reasoning answers the question best. Though, it is short. First off, offshore outsourcing will create more jobs because the economy is growing more and more everyday in all nations. Unemployment rates won't increase because offshore outsourcing will spur innovation - therefore, more jobs are opening up and will fill the unemployment void. There is an issue that not all jobs are insured that they will keep their job, or that their job is stable. However, as said in the closing paragraph, capitalizing savings from outsourcing will allow them to remain competitive in the market and will insure stable jobs. How they capitalize savings? By lowering costs to raise profit for American consumers who want to maximize their gains of their investments for inexpensive goods and services. 

Immigration Here and Abroad

When I took rhetoric 306 last fall, our topic for the whole semester was immigration, so it's kind of interesting to revisit it and all of its complexities. In just these few pages alone, the author touches upon several of the hot-button issues such as border control and amnesty. I liked that she talked about the illegal immigration problem in the United States as well as the problems in some other developed nations such as France. I found the bit about banning Muslim headscarves in France really interesting. Here's an article about it. I also liked how the author presents opinions from the "sender" countries, Mexico in particular. Residents in Santa Ana Del Valle claim that those who come back from the United States are corrupt with the American lifestyle. I had never thought of it that way. However, there was a particular selection that really caught my attention, the student voice piece by Esperanza Borboa. I felt really shocked to discover that some employers of illegal immigrants will knowingly call Immigration at the most opportune times to benefit their company and themselves. Illegal or not, it's disgusting that employers are so consumed with greed and feel like they need to withhold the meager earnings they pay by getting rid of their employees in such a vicious way.

And we think we've got gang problems...

I think the most interesting part of the reading over immigration was the article over residents of a small town in Mexico responding to immigration. When people talk about immigration all they talk about is how it's affecting the US. No one really considers how it is affecting Mexico. I think that most Americans just assume that the Mexican citizens are pro-immigration. But this article shows us a very different side to the story. I mean I never knew that immigration could have such negative side effects to cities such as Santa Ana. It's somewhat ironic because the people of Santa Ana complain about how the US inner cities have corrupted them. They tell of how boys greet each other with gang signs, and how drugs and graffiti have become a problem. Yet, those are some of the exact arguments that the American citizens throw against the Mexican immigrants. Many people complain that allowing immigrants into the country has resulted in more drugs, more gangs, and more violence. Maybe it's the other way around? But I do agree on one thing for sure. The only way to limit immigration in the US is to fix the countries from which people are leaving. That means that places like Santa Ana need more job opportunities. More jobs attract more people back home, increases the economy, and limits the immigration into the US.

ch.2 from thank you for arguing.

sorry for the super late post. was in Houston for too long and got a tad backed up, but thats a story for another day.

But back to the matter at hand. Two chapters into this book and its already my favorite book i've ever been required to read. I love how the little things in what we say have such a big impact on our message. And by working on these things, you can more easily control your outcome, which in turn controls the person in some way. As an advertising major, this is an extremely useful skill. Looking forward reading more of this.