A Vision of Science

Global Warming~ 

It is not very common to come across somebody who has not heard about Global Warming.  Global Warming is a world wide problem, which theoretically causes a hole in our ozone layer.  Global Warming comes from Greenhouse Gases.  The Greenhouse Gases comes from machines used everyday by humans, such as cars and machinery in the factories.  Although at the moment, this problem is costing us a large amount of money, in the future it will if it is not solved.  Fortunately, both presidential candidates have expressed their solutions to this enormous problem.  They have spoken about different types of programs to reduce pollution and the amount of greenhouse gas released into the atmosphere.  McCain has suggested using different energy sources, while Obama has proposed using technology to obtain Carbon Dioxide from the atmosphere.  I believe that both candidates have great ideas which can help solve this problem.  Also, whichever candidate wins, the other should still offer input on this matter. 

 

Off Shore Drilling~

Many people all across the world have been affected by the insanely high prices of gas.  Currently, gas is the main thing that powers cars, an important part of everyday lives.  Because of the high prices, many people have been suffering, and some are unable to go to work.  This often leads to the domino effect because one problem will effect the completion of something else.  One of the solutions that the government and candidates have brought up is off-shore drilling.  Off Shore Drilling is the extraction of oil from places near the coast, usually under large bodies of water, but can also be from lakes and seas.  Both presidential candidates have spoken about the matter, for it is a very important topic.  Senator Obama first stated that he was against off-shore drilling, but as he furthered into his campaign, he noticed that it was one of the necessities need to win the election so he is now open-minded about the situation.  While Senator John McCain, has always liked the idea ever since the government lifted the bans this year.  I believe that this is a good idea within reason.  We should not go over board with off-shore drilling and ruin our beautiful beaches, but instead, do it just enough to get by. 

 

Nuclear Weapons~

Nuclear weapons were not used very often in the past, but hey were still used, and we are still suffering from it today. I believe these weapons are very dangerous weapons that should not be used under ANY circumstances.  Fortunately, Obama see’s the correct judgment on my part and he shares the same beliefs.  While McCain believes that while in war, the United States should always be ready to use them.  He believes that it is always an option and it should not be set aside.  Nuclear weapons are deadly weapons, which can cause radiation from atomic fallout.  Both presidential candidates have contrasting believes on this very critical situation.  When the nuclear weapons were used, the economics fell, and some people were not able to survive.  This made a large impact in the lives of many, tell today.  

Obama & McCain: Technology

Technology is a complex topic, which has many different definitions.  Everyday technology is evolving, and one who does not evolve with it, is left behind.  Today, mostly everything we do revolves around technology and the internet. The internet is a commonly used tool used to communicate with one another, research, or just for entertainment.  Although technology is not a stressed topic in this election, it is fairly important and both candidates have offered their input on this matter. 

John McCain believes himself to be ready to lead the country during this technology revolution.  It is said that, “Under John McCain’s guiding hand, Congress developed a wireless spectrum policy that spurred the rapid rise of mobile phones and Wi-Fi technology that enables Americans to surf the web while sitting at a coffee shop, airport lounge, or public park.” Therefore, McCain is confident that if elected president, he will be able to further the technology, keeping it at its fine rate. 

While Barack Obama wishes to keep the internet as successful as it is at the moment, by keeping it an open network.  It is said that, “Barack Obama strongly supports the principle of network neutrality to preserve the benefits of open competition on the Internet.”  Therefore, if elected president he will continue to keep the internet as it is today.  Also, Obama says that if elected president, he will use technology to ensure that all American citizens are apart of the government, unlike the secretive Bush Administrative.

Obama: Collage

This collage shows Barack Obama, the democratic nominee of the 2008 election. He is a Christian man who hopes to lower tax for the middle class. He is also a great believer in this country, and its people, and he knows the countries high standards as well. Barack Obama has thought of many slogans, but one that sticks to him is change. If Barack Obama becomes the next president of the United States, he will bring change to the US, for the better. He will also put an end to the Iraq War, which will save many lives. Also, Obama will allow healthcare to be an opportunity which every US citizen can take advantage of. Obama is a family man who has lived in many societies and he knows what he can do to help make each community change for the better.

McCain: Collage

This collage shows John McCain, the republican nominee of the 2008 election.   McCain is pro-war, therefore, if elected president he would have to raise taxes to fund things such as the Iraq war.  However, although McCain is pro-war, he is has a strict policy on gun use.  This is quite awkward because if a man has a strict policy on gun use, shouldn’t he be against war? McCain also believes that he is ready to become president, and nothing is holding him back.  McCain’s Vice President, Sarah Palin, plays a major role in this election. Although, some people might suggest that she and McCain have opposite personalities.  

Why North Carolina?

The reason why I chose North Carolina is because it is my home state, and that means so much to me. I have lived in North Carolina all my life; therefore I have had many great experiences here. Most of my family lives here as well. I am quite interested to see if North Carolina is more of a Democrat or Republican state. Over the past few years, it has always been a republican state, but because Obama and McCain are so close, it is now a swing state. I myself am a democrat, and I am for Obama and Biden. One of the reasons I am for Obama is because he is prochoice. I think it is a wise decision for Obama to be prochoice because he is leaving the decision up to us, the Americans. He truly allows the Americans to be free because we are making our own decision, depending on what suits us best. While I am figuring out the polls, I am hoping to see if my state feels the same way.

North Carolina Obama Poll and Graph

North Carolina: McCain Poll and Graph

Nov. 5: North Carolina, poll estimation

After calculating the linear regression, and finding the formula for both candidates, I realized that on November fourth, Obama would win North Carolina, 49% to 48%.  The accuracy of this being correct was 45% for Obama, and 2% for McCain.  This led me to believe that my percentage was incorrect, but I still refused to lose faith in Obama.   Then finally, on November 5, we figured out that Obama did win North Carolina, 50% to 49%.  Obviously, this did not match my findings, but this came to no surprise because from the beginning, I knew the percentage of my findings were not exact.

All in all, in this 2008 election, North Carolina was a democratic state.   This rose Obama into a much higher position than McCain.  And although it was a democratic state this election, who knows what the future hides, for the statistics may change in the next election.  

Interview

1.  Who are you for in this 2008 election? Why?

I am for Barack Obama.   The main reason I am for Barack Obama is because I strongly feel that if he is elected president, our falling economy will slowly rise to the top once more.  Not only that, but the gas prices will hopefully begin to lower as well. 

 

2. How did you choose your preferred candidate?

What I basically did was look at McCain and Obama, and at their moral beliefs.  I also studied their political background and I decided that Barack Obama was the best option.  I greatly believe in Barack Obama, and I know that if he is elected president, he will be a great leader. 

 

3.  What do you believe is the most important issue in this election?

The most important issue would probably be the crashing economy.  I would really like a president who can fix this problem because it is affecting a large amount of people.

 

4. Do you believe your preferred candidate has a chance in this election? Why or why not?

Yes.  Obama is a strong candidate who can, and will change the US for the better.  Also, because many people have not been pleased with George Bush’s presidency, I don’t think they will want another man with his similar beliefs. 

 

5. Did you support your preferred candidate’s decision about their vice president? Why or why not?

Yes, I felt that Obama made a very wise decision about choosing Joe Biden to be his running mate.  Obama knows he is not very skilled in foreign policies and I think that is why he chose Joe Biden, a man who is really skilled in foreign policies. 

 

I interviewed my father, Sam Khatib on his beliefs and his stance in this election.  My father is a strong Democratic who believes in Barack Obama a great deal.  He knows that if Obama is elected president, the economic crisis will improve and the gas prices will lower.  My father also knows that after each speech by Barack Obama, change is occurring.  The power of Obama’s words and his intelligence makes him unique and allows him to rise above the lesser candidates.  My father also believes that the confidence, from Obama just to run in this election, makes him superior than the rest.  Obama has done a great number of remarkable things within this election and winning, will only make him more remarkable.  

Political Cartoons

Political Cartoon: 8/29/08

          The Republican Party goes the extra mile to select a youthful, pretty, and friendly candidate to run along side, full of years, McCain.  This political cartoon shows McCain announcing his female V.P, Sarah Palin, as his running mate.  It also shows McCain proclaiming, “My running mate has the qualifications to step in if I am unable to fulfill my duties of office.”  While he is saying this, Palin is standing next to him wearing a Miss. Congeniality-1984 ribbon. This ribbon depicts Palin to be pretty and friendly, as well as young.  This political cartoon shows that McCain chose Sarah Palin because of her outer appearance, not because of her knowledge or intelligence.  It is also showing us how McCain chose a young, inexperienced woman to be his running mate.  This MSNBC cartoonist is trying to point out that the only reason McCain chose Palin was for his own political gain.  The political gain that McCain was hoping to get, would be winning over some of the 18 million Hillary Clinton supporters, from Obama.  In conclusion, McCain’s main focus in selecting Palin as his V.P. was to bring in some female voters, which he is lacking.

MLA Citation~

Beeler, Nate. "Political Cartoon." The Washington Examiner. 29 Aug. 08. 30 Aug. 08

< http://www.politicalcartoons.com/cartoon/0d6bbe22-4688-4832-a8ec5d7e89640c51.html >.

Political Cartoon: 9/07/08

            Once again, Palin shows herself favoring something, yet her personal life says something different. This political cartoon shows Palin’s home with a polar bear picture. This Polar Bear picture represents that Palin is for saving the animals, and stopping global warming. Yet, the smoke from her chimney is one of the causes of global warming. This smoke depicts that although Palin tells us she is for saving the animals, and stopping global warming, her personal life still shows that she is just talk. This is because even though she tells the U.S that she is for something, she proves that she could care less by doing the total opposite. A person standing outside Palin’s home exclaims, “This can only mean more enthusiasm from the base.” This person is expressing that unfortunately, this hasn’t been the first time Palin has expressed this message. For example, when Palin talked about being abstinence to sex, she had explained about it as if her family wasabstinence to sex, which in fact her 17 year old daughter is pregnant. This demonstrates that Palin’s family is not abstinence to sex, and once again she is caught in a lie.  In conclusion, Sarah Palin says many great ideas that unfortunately she herself does not follow. Further more, the people of the U.S are beginning to notice and they are against her, “technique” to gain supporters.

MLA Citation~

Toles, Tom. "Political Cartoon." Washington Post. 7 Sept. 08. 8 Sept. 08

< http://www.washingtonpost.com/wpsrv/opinions/ cartoonsandvideos/toles_main.html?name=toles&date=09072008&type=c >. 

Political Cartoon: 9/8/08

          The candidates are more focuses on winning the race, than on actually addressing the grim reality by the citizens. This political cartoon proposes that McCain said “Change” 10 times today, and Obama said “Change” 20 times today. This depicts that the presidential candidates are competing over the littlest things, when they could actually be making a difference. The candidates should also be coming through with their promises instead of talking large and doing so little. This political cartoon also displays and unemployed, poor man holding a cup, pleading for “Change”. This demonstrates that the public is not getting any benefit from the candidate’s speeches. The candidates have their heads in the clouds, and their only goal is to say something better than the other. In conclusion, the presidential candidates have yet to “Change” the US. They have only spoken about it, describing what they will do, instead of what they are doing.

MLA Citation~

Peters, Mike. "Political Cartoon." Cartoonist Group. 5 Sept. 08. 8 Sept. 08 

< http://www.cartoonistgroup.com/store/add.php?iid=26584 >.

Political Cartoon: 9/15/08

           The republican candidates John McCain and Sarah Palin are making their way towards the White House on a foundation of lies. This political cartoon displays McCain driving a construction vehicle, while he is driving, he proclaims, “This one is to somewhere.” This comment is referring to a block that McCain’s vehicle is holding; this block reads the word, “LIES”. Unfortunately, this is not the only place where this word is seen. The road to which leads McCain and Palin to the White House, is made up of blocks which also state the word, “LIES”. This cartoonist is mocking McCain and Palin, and their building blocks towards being elected to becoming the next president and vice-president. The construction vehicle represents McCain and his progress in the campaign. These building blocks express that McCain’s whole campaign revolves around lies. Also because of McCain’s statement, it is oblivious that McCain can easily say one lie after another. This political cartoon also reveals a person watching McCain. While he is watching him, the person exclaims, “Quite an infrastructure investment.” This statement is evidence that the public also feels that McCain’s speeches and ideas are built on lies. In Conclusion, the republican candidate and his VP have told many lies and will continue to do so until they have reached their destination.

MLA Citation~

Toles, Tom. "Political Cartoon." Washington Post. 15 Sept. 08. 15 Sept. 08 < http://www.washingtonpost.com/wpsrv/opinions/cartoonsandvideos/toles_main.html?name=toles&date=09152008&type=c >.

Political Cartoon: 9/22/08

        The US Government focuses on cheating their way into making money rather than putting in the effort to make money the proper and correct way.  This political cartoon depicts a government official reading the new employee, "How to Steal" handbook.  While the official is reading this, he proposes that the handbook looks like a clue.  The clue he is referring to is in the title, "How to Steal".  This phrase states that the government is trying to teach the officials how to steal, just to make the US wealthier.  On the agenda of the US Treasury, is a tax scam trial.  Once again, the government is trying to make an easy dollar, this time forcing the US citizens to be the victims.  Because the government officials are only focusing on making money, they are not paying to their moral ethics.  Therefore, they are stealing and scamming without regret or feeling shameful.  This political cartoon also demonstrates a citizen of the US exclaiming, "That was just the one for beginners."  This is referring to the handbook, and it is portraying that all officials are taught this terrible technique.  Also, the US public notices all of the stealing and scamming done by the government. The US government obviously takes advantage of their position of authority, and they abuse it.  They do not follow their moral ethics either, they only do what they feel will increase the wealth of the United States of America.  

MLA Citation~

Toles, Tom. "Political Cartoon." Washington Post. 22 Sept. 08. 22 Sept. 08

 < http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp/opinions/cartoonsandvideos/

 toles_main.html?name=toles&date=09222008&type=c >.