Statistics in Speeches

Here is some of my reading I had to do for my public speaking course.

USE STATISTICS SPARINGLY.
Even the most attentive listener would have trouble sorting out this barrage of figures:

According to the World Factbook, life expectancy at birth in the United States ranks 18th among 25 industrialized countries. Life expectancy of women in Japan is 84.25 years compared with 80.2 years for American women, and 77.73 years for Japanese men compared with 74.5 years for American men. The United States ranks 23rd among 25 industrialized nations in infant mortality, with a rate almost twice as high as Japan's. Canada ranks 13th. Americans spend more each year on health care than any other nation-$1 trillion, or 13.7 percent of gross domestic product-yet the World Health Organization ranks the U.S. health care system 37th in overall performance among member nations.

I really think I needed that example, just so I wouldn't overdo my statistics use. HOW ABSURD IS THAT?

That was probably the funniest thing I have ever read in a textbook.

I made this collage using Picasa. I speak for all three of us when I say we had a splendid weekend. 

a much needed one

I appreciate all the feedback on my platform. It was very constructive.

I came home this weekend, since it was three days.

I made the drive between Missoula and Manhattan in two hours and ten minutes. It went by fairly fast, and I didn't even listen to any music, which was odd.

I got here Friday and went into Montana State University's dorm rooms to see Dan and Pat. We hung out there for a while, went to the Hedge Hog (Country Store) and then Josh showed up. We went over to Kyle and Aaron's, only to have to call them from their living room. They were over at Meghan's, so we decided to head over and have a little Manhattan High School Reunion. Meghan, Sari, Dani, Regan, Kyle, Aaron, Josh, Pat, Dan, and I were all over there. It couldn't have been a better time.

Saturday night was just as eventful. We hung out at Kyle and Aaron's, and Taylor was here, which made everything like twice as fun. We went to a few different places, it was very random.

Overall, it was a great weekend, a much needed one.

Satire

I'm announcing my bid for the Senate for the 2014 Senatorial race. I am starting early, and I need your support. We do have some time, as in 8 years, but now is the time to start!

The following paragraphs outline my platform.

We must adopt the FairTax, before the Europeans do it before us. If we allow them to think of this idea before we do, they will become economically superior to us overnight. I have a lot more to say on this, but I've already said it in previous posts, and you will hear plenty about it in my upcoming speeches (in COMM 111 that is).

We must create the American Union, and Canada and Mexico must adopt the American Dollar, and we must come together, just like the European Union and the African Union. Eventually we must include South America. I actually have no idea what the economic implications of this would be, but I do think it is the wave of the future.

We need to revert back to isolationism and cut all foreign aid. I'm sick of the anti-American sentiment. We must finish the job in Iraq, but after that we can say screw the world and let the UN try to fix all the problems, like Iran. Let's see how well the UN Security Council does at preventing an Islamic government from getting nuclear weapons. Our only hope is the British. We can't be the only country trying to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons! We need to eventually get rid of them entirely, and the only way to do that is prevent their spread, and then someday, when this world is significantly different, disarm along with eveyone else. But we shouldn't do it to the chagrin of the entire world.

Most importantly, I believe in devolution. More power to the states and local governments, and that's it. I'm not sure how to implement this, but it is my most important belief. The national government is too powerful. They push around state governments. I don't think the feds should decide if abortion is legal or not. I think the states should. Same thing with gay marriage. This is just more freedom. This way, we can have states like Massachusetts becoming almost entirely homosexual because gay marriage is legal there, thus attracting homosexuals. It will become the abortion capital of the world, with partial birth abortions being commonplace. There will also be states like Montana where there are no abortions and there are no gay marriages. I think this is how it should be. I'm not advocating for or against gay marriage or partial birth abortion. I'm just saying that it should be decided by the states, not the national government.

international ethics

What can I write? I'm going through the motions here, and that is it.

I could write about how the foundational theory of political morality can't overcome the challenge of cultural pluralism, but I don't really know yet! I'll save that for my essay I have to write for international relations.

What I'm trying to say here is that I don't like ethics.

Sometimes I wonder if I should get a job.

Schedule

I posted my schedule last semester, so I'll post it this semester as well.

1. Monday
1. 9:10-10:00 Critical Interpretation
2. 1:10-2:00 Comparative Government
3. 2:10-3:00 Macroeconomics
2. Tuesday
1. 8:10-9:30 International Relations
2. 12:40-2:00 Public Speaking
3. Wednesday
1. 9:10-10:00 Critical Interpretation
2. 1:10-2:00 Comparative Government
3. 2:10-3:00 Macroeconomics
4. Thursday
1. 8:10-9:30 International Relations
2. 12:40-2:00 Public Speaking
5. Friday
1. 9:10-10:00 Critical Interpretation
2. 1:10-2:00 Comparative Government
3. 2:10-3:00 Macroeconomics

going to a class i'm not even in

Today I participated in a rally to support our troops. We had signs that read "Do What's Right Finish The Fight" and "Support Our Troops." The mayor of Missoula showed up. The Missoulian was there, the Kaimen was there, and two TV stations. It is going to big news!

I like rallying. Everyone should do it.

Now let me clarify my beliefs. I am not a war monger. I don't like war. Operation Iraqi Freedom is not a great thing for the United States of America.

I don't think we ever should have gone.

When we didn't find WMDs, everyone should have said, "OH SHIT. BIG MISTAKE." We should have said that, followed by, "We have to finish the job."

I guess there are still people that think we should have gone, and for noble reasons.

I hope everyone understands where I am coming from.

I love international relations and comparative politics. I think I want a major in political science with an option in international relations and a minor in economics. I would like to work for the state department. I would love to work oversees, and I've never even been there. I want to join the Peace Corps, and volunteer in Moldova for two years.

I really want to do Semester at Sea. They recently accepted me.

I go to the History of Islam every class just for the lecture. I'm not even enrolled in the class, I just think it's intensely interesting. The professor is amazing. I think it's crazy that all we college students can go these free classes and nobody does. It's a great opportunity, and it is really nice to sit in class and just listen and not have to worry about notes and tests and stuff. There are three ways to look at this, I guess. One is that I should be enrolled in the class. The other is I shouldn't go. The other is I shouldn't be enrolled and I should still go. Some people don't go because they would say it is a waste to go and not be enrolled. I say it is a waste not to go even if i'm not enrolled. Can you see what makes some people not take advantage of this opportunity?