Statement of Purpose
In writing my research paper on terrorism, it’s causes and it’s affects, I wish to create a sense of urgency among and within the readers by making them realize the very real dangers that exist in our society. I will address the paper to people who are affiliated with SJSU not only because it is the academic institution I attend but also because of recent terrorizing acts in schools and universities across America.
Sunday, April 5, 2009
Sunday, March 8, 2009
Researching behind the scene
Omri Brinner
March 2009
It is fair to say that every research has many potential results and outcomes and it really depends on the person who does the research what direction the final product would take. Not only that one can analyze a certain document in a completely different way from another researcher, but the assumptions and investigation that will follow such a research will determine the agenda of the work.
In a research process there are two kinds of sources: Primary sources and secondary sources. Primary sources are extremely valuable and they can either be found in the form of documents that were written by people who experienced the researched events or by people’s actual testimony, that is if the research evolves around more modern issues (as in Andrew Rajala’s research topic). In my opinion, the most valuable primary source is people’s testimonies; event though some can forget, exaggerate, or even lie, it is worth hearing relevant opinions and in many cases they are more valid than scholarly works.
The advantages of researching in communities are the more personal and realistic aspects; “People who have lived in a community for a long time can tell you about the history of the community or about their perspective on the effects of past events.” Another reason why interviewing people can be more beneficial to a researcher than reading old scriptures lies in the communication process that develops between the two parties. In building a relationship and interacting with others who can help you and you can help them one can, and will, write a more personal, emotional, and passionate paper than someone who is completely alienated to the people and times he is researching.
Although I was not surprised by any particular paragraph in the chapter, I think it is a valuable source for this course and for future research projects I’ll encounter in my academic journey, and maybe in my life. Communicating with another person is a gift that should not be taken for granted, and if one can base part of his or her research on this kind of source then he or she should do so.
March 2009
It is fair to say that every research has many potential results and outcomes and it really depends on the person who does the research what direction the final product would take. Not only that one can analyze a certain document in a completely different way from another researcher, but the assumptions and investigation that will follow such a research will determine the agenda of the work.
In a research process there are two kinds of sources: Primary sources and secondary sources. Primary sources are extremely valuable and they can either be found in the form of documents that were written by people who experienced the researched events or by people’s actual testimony, that is if the research evolves around more modern issues (as in Andrew Rajala’s research topic). In my opinion, the most valuable primary source is people’s testimonies; event though some can forget, exaggerate, or even lie, it is worth hearing relevant opinions and in many cases they are more valid than scholarly works.
The advantages of researching in communities are the more personal and realistic aspects; “People who have lived in a community for a long time can tell you about the history of the community or about their perspective on the effects of past events.” Another reason why interviewing people can be more beneficial to a researcher than reading old scriptures lies in the communication process that develops between the two parties. In building a relationship and interacting with others who can help you and you can help them one can, and will, write a more personal, emotional, and passionate paper than someone who is completely alienated to the people and times he is researching.
Although I was not surprised by any particular paragraph in the chapter, I think it is a valuable source for this course and for future research projects I’ll encounter in my academic journey, and maybe in my life. Communicating with another person is a gift that should not be taken for granted, and if one can base part of his or her research on this kind of source then he or she should do so.
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
East Vs. West
Omri Brinner
March 2009
The request of the Saudi Arabian representative from Western countries not to interfere in conflicted Arab regions with their political, economical, and militaries policies is a fair game in my opinion, but not a realistic one. The Saudi prince told US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton that the Arab world would rather have Lebanon, Iraq, and the Palestinian territories under minimal foreign influence such as from the UN or the United States itself.
Prince Saud al-Faisal might have spoke for a large part of the Arab world when he said that there should be more unity and less dividends within the Arabs.
The interests of the Saudi prince may seem good in their nature but they should concern Western countries since they are playing to the hands of the terrorizing Iranian regime and its tools at the problematic areas. The unreal part of this request lies in the interests of the Western countries in those areas; democracy and modernization in Israel (Palestine in the eyes of the prince); Western supportive government in Iraq; and a liberal independent Lebanon. The risk that lies behind the Saudi request is as follows: In the three discussed regions there are several terror groups (Hamas, Hezbollah) that are being supported financially and physically by Iran, the same country that Prince Saud al-Faisal wishes to support by isolating its governmental bodies from Western supervision. This kind of act will increase the chances of Iranian biological warfare that may lead to an open war between the totalitarian regimes (Iran, Syria, North Korea, Libya and more) to the democratic nations.
http://www.mercurynews.com/nationworld/ci_11826464
March 2009
The request of the Saudi Arabian representative from Western countries not to interfere in conflicted Arab regions with their political, economical, and militaries policies is a fair game in my opinion, but not a realistic one. The Saudi prince told US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton that the Arab world would rather have Lebanon, Iraq, and the Palestinian territories under minimal foreign influence such as from the UN or the United States itself.
Prince Saud al-Faisal might have spoke for a large part of the Arab world when he said that there should be more unity and less dividends within the Arabs.
The interests of the Saudi prince may seem good in their nature but they should concern Western countries since they are playing to the hands of the terrorizing Iranian regime and its tools at the problematic areas. The unreal part of this request lies in the interests of the Western countries in those areas; democracy and modernization in Israel (Palestine in the eyes of the prince); Western supportive government in Iraq; and a liberal independent Lebanon. The risk that lies behind the Saudi request is as follows: In the three discussed regions there are several terror groups (Hamas, Hezbollah) that are being supported financially and physically by Iran, the same country that Prince Saud al-Faisal wishes to support by isolating its governmental bodies from Western supervision. This kind of act will increase the chances of Iranian biological warfare that may lead to an open war between the totalitarian regimes (Iran, Syria, North Korea, Libya and more) to the democratic nations.
http://www.mercurynews.com/nationworld/ci_11826464
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Extreme Advocacy
Omri Brinner
Professor Gabor
February 2009
Extreme Advocacy
I enjoyed reading Jennifer Squires’ article about the case of the animal activists, their actions, and the authorities response on the Mercury website. Squires stated that four animal activists were arrested last week following their extreme advocacy methods that included violent protests, terrorized propaganda, and property invasion. The activists aimed their anger towards UC system researchers in Santa Cruz, Riverside, and Berkeley, calling them murderers and abusers. Last week four of those activists were arrested by the FBI and face court accusations against them.
The article’s content applies to me since I too have gotten involved in advocacy for ideals and issues that are important to me. Even before I entered the circle of advocacy I wondered where lies the limit of the actions taken by activists and who defines this limit? At this point it seems to me as if it is a personal/group decision. One group for example might think that the animal activists actions are blessed and should be increased while another might see them as criminal, unethical, and irresponsible actions. I believe that any sort of demonstration or protest is a lost cause if one does not use some kind of violence. It does not have to be over aggressive or terrorizing, but a peaceful march will not do. It does not attract enough and changes absolutely nothing.
Having said that, the actions that were taken by the animal activists will probably not help their cause and will only damage their reputation and legitimacy.
http://www.mercurynews.com/crime/ci_11750410?nclick_check=1
Professor Gabor
February 2009
Extreme Advocacy
I enjoyed reading Jennifer Squires’ article about the case of the animal activists, their actions, and the authorities response on the Mercury website. Squires stated that four animal activists were arrested last week following their extreme advocacy methods that included violent protests, terrorized propaganda, and property invasion. The activists aimed their anger towards UC system researchers in Santa Cruz, Riverside, and Berkeley, calling them murderers and abusers. Last week four of those activists were arrested by the FBI and face court accusations against them.
The article’s content applies to me since I too have gotten involved in advocacy for ideals and issues that are important to me. Even before I entered the circle of advocacy I wondered where lies the limit of the actions taken by activists and who defines this limit? At this point it seems to me as if it is a personal/group decision. One group for example might think that the animal activists actions are blessed and should be increased while another might see them as criminal, unethical, and irresponsible actions. I believe that any sort of demonstration or protest is a lost cause if one does not use some kind of violence. It does not have to be over aggressive or terrorizing, but a peaceful march will not do. It does not attract enough and changes absolutely nothing.
Having said that, the actions that were taken by the animal activists will probably not help their cause and will only damage their reputation and legitimacy.
http://www.mercurynews.com/crime/ci_11750410?nclick_check=1
Work or Service?
Omri Brinner
February 2009
Work or Service?
I will start by stating that the word “AVODAH” doe not mean “service”; the meaning of the word is either work or labor. A more accurate translation of the word “service” in Hebrew would be “She’irut”. In answering the given question it is important to ask which word came first as the name of the organization, Avodah or Service.
The religious affiliations in the website and in its content may change in some way depending which word is used. If the word is Avodah (work, labor) then one can claim the organization has missionary agendas (although it is not common in Judaism) in the way the young volunteers present their mission and their background. The word “service” on the other hand has more social connotations and it seems as if the true mission of the organization and its men and women is to help and serve less privileged and fortunate communities. This theory is backed by the way the “AVODAH” volunteers look in the website pictures: secular and modern.
Two different aspects that I noticed in the website design are the usage of the colors Blue and White, Israel’s colors, and the term “Jewish life”. Although these two aspects seem to have national-Jewish affiliations that support the missionary theory, I believe they actually strengthen the “service” theory by the fact that they are part of an agenda and not dominant aspects of this organization.
February 2009
Work or Service?
I will start by stating that the word “AVODAH” doe not mean “service”; the meaning of the word is either work or labor. A more accurate translation of the word “service” in Hebrew would be “She’irut”. In answering the given question it is important to ask which word came first as the name of the organization, Avodah or Service.
The religious affiliations in the website and in its content may change in some way depending which word is used. If the word is Avodah (work, labor) then one can claim the organization has missionary agendas (although it is not common in Judaism) in the way the young volunteers present their mission and their background. The word “service” on the other hand has more social connotations and it seems as if the true mission of the organization and its men and women is to help and serve less privileged and fortunate communities. This theory is backed by the way the “AVODAH” volunteers look in the website pictures: secular and modern.
Two different aspects that I noticed in the website design are the usage of the colors Blue and White, Israel’s colors, and the term “Jewish life”. Although these two aspects seem to have national-Jewish affiliations that support the missionary theory, I believe they actually strengthen the “service” theory by the fact that they are part of an agenda and not dominant aspects of this organization.
Sunday, February 15, 2009
The role of media
Omri Brinner
February 2009
The ideas in chapter 13 of Compose Design Advocate mainly made me think of the power modern media has over people, governments, armies, and economics. I believe that today, in an era where censorship on the one hand is no longer seen as a legitimate tool of reporting for the benefit of the people and the state and on the other hand the creation of unnecessarily drama through over-reporting for self interests is authorized, media has “smashed” its initial idea of informing and educating rather than making money or promoting a certain agenda. Thomas Cooper’s 1799 broadside for example represents the true ideals of media, through which he informs, educates, criticizes, but mostly looks to improve certain aspects in the American government. The two argument publications about the necessity of affirmative action also support my idea of good media and even if I agree with one side it does not cancels the other side’s right to express their opinion. Although the other kind of media I mentioned does not appear in the textbook, it exist in radio stations, television channels, newspaper, and websites. As for Jack Turner’s essay, all I can say is that I do not agree with his approach regarding handling difficult tasks. He obviously criticize peoples behavior for the way they confront certain situations, advising instead to take a stride in the park and clear the mind… I would like to see Mr. Turner take his time when critical decisions are to be made in short time.
February 2009
The ideas in chapter 13 of Compose Design Advocate mainly made me think of the power modern media has over people, governments, armies, and economics. I believe that today, in an era where censorship on the one hand is no longer seen as a legitimate tool of reporting for the benefit of the people and the state and on the other hand the creation of unnecessarily drama through over-reporting for self interests is authorized, media has “smashed” its initial idea of informing and educating rather than making money or promoting a certain agenda. Thomas Cooper’s 1799 broadside for example represents the true ideals of media, through which he informs, educates, criticizes, but mostly looks to improve certain aspects in the American government. The two argument publications about the necessity of affirmative action also support my idea of good media and even if I agree with one side it does not cancels the other side’s right to express their opinion. Although the other kind of media I mentioned does not appear in the textbook, it exist in radio stations, television channels, newspaper, and websites. As for Jack Turner’s essay, all I can say is that I do not agree with his approach regarding handling difficult tasks. He obviously criticize peoples behavior for the way they confront certain situations, advising instead to take a stride in the park and clear the mind… I would like to see Mr. Turner take his time when critical decisions are to be made in short time.
Suicide attacks- A terrorizing reality
Omri Brinner
February 2009
The article I chose for this assignment, be it a possible topic for my research paper, deals with an awful suicide attack in Karbala, Iraq in which at least 34 people were killed, most of whom women and children. The offensive act was committed by a Sunni woman and was directed at faithful Shi’ites as they were resting, eating, and drinking before or after prayer at a religious site. The long lasting conflict between Sunnis and Shi’ites in Iraq has increased in the past few years or at least has gotten heavier media coverage since the presence of the United States military forces. The two Muslim sects have been divided for centuries, through which they have fought each other endlessly, over religious disputes and differences. In Iraq for example the Sunnis were allied with Sadam Hussein’s regime and have killed millions of Shiite believers throughout the dark times of his rule and even after, as happened several days ago. On the other hand, it is not common at all to hear about a Shi’ite attack on Sunnis. The main point from this article is not the act itself or whoever committed it but rather the response of a man who survived the attack. He said: "This explosion does not frighten us… Four years of violence in Diyala didn't stop us from coming to visit Karbala and neither will this”. The thing that interests me the most is how people deal with suicide attacks and terrorized life in different places around the world. Having been born and raised at a city which is the heart of the Israeli-Muslim conflict and experienced dozens of such regretful events, I believe I can analyze such behavior better than a simple clerk who sits in a small office somewhere in Washington D.C and who claims to understand the different views and cultures of two groups that genuinely hate each other.
The link that I’m attaching leads to the website of the movie Obsession, which deals with radical Islam and evolves around several suicide attacks around the world. Hopefully I can create an interesting thesis statement that will lead to good research.
Article: http://www.mercurynews.com/nationworld/ci_11703044
Attached link: http://www.obsessionthemovie.com/
February 2009
The article I chose for this assignment, be it a possible topic for my research paper, deals with an awful suicide attack in Karbala, Iraq in which at least 34 people were killed, most of whom women and children. The offensive act was committed by a Sunni woman and was directed at faithful Shi’ites as they were resting, eating, and drinking before or after prayer at a religious site. The long lasting conflict between Sunnis and Shi’ites in Iraq has increased in the past few years or at least has gotten heavier media coverage since the presence of the United States military forces. The two Muslim sects have been divided for centuries, through which they have fought each other endlessly, over religious disputes and differences. In Iraq for example the Sunnis were allied with Sadam Hussein’s regime and have killed millions of Shiite believers throughout the dark times of his rule and even after, as happened several days ago. On the other hand, it is not common at all to hear about a Shi’ite attack on Sunnis. The main point from this article is not the act itself or whoever committed it but rather the response of a man who survived the attack. He said: "This explosion does not frighten us… Four years of violence in Diyala didn't stop us from coming to visit Karbala and neither will this”. The thing that interests me the most is how people deal with suicide attacks and terrorized life in different places around the world. Having been born and raised at a city which is the heart of the Israeli-Muslim conflict and experienced dozens of such regretful events, I believe I can analyze such behavior better than a simple clerk who sits in a small office somewhere in Washington D.C and who claims to understand the different views and cultures of two groups that genuinely hate each other.
The link that I’m attaching leads to the website of the movie Obsession, which deals with radical Islam and evolves around several suicide attacks around the world. Hopefully I can create an interesting thesis statement that will lead to good research.
Article: http://www.mercurynews.com/nationworld/ci_11703044
Attached link: http://www.obsessionthemovie.com/
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)