Mass Graves? Or Minor Changes?

As of October 1, 2015, America has accomplished a new feat, there have been more mass shootings than there have been days in this year. 294 mass shootings for 274 days. In addition to this, in the last 30 years there have been more than 70 popularized mass shootings and even more that have not been covered in national news, a little over 200 more. Nearly 11,000 people have been murdered, 22,000 have been injured, and about 600 of those killed and harmed have been children. According to Mother Jones, 57 of the popularized shootings have been committed with legally obtained weapons, that means more than 75% of the shooters obtained their weapons of mass destruction completely within the constraints of the law. However, despite this, the blame is nearly always placed on mental illness. While the reasons for why an individual becomes a mass murderer are, indeed, vastly complex, and mental health treatment in this country is still stigmatized and laughable, the infantile ease in which one can obtain a weapon is terrifying. It is obvious, whatever your belief about gun control, that something must change.

This meme has been circulating the internet lately with the increased attention on gun control and what America should do about it. The argument presented by this picture is that guns are not to blame for the violence they inflict but that the individual is responsible. For those unfamiliar with the Star Wars franchise, the individual wielding the Light Saber is Anakin Skywalker, a Jedi, who uses his weapon to commit a Jedi genocide, murdering all of the Padawans, or Jedi students. The main problem with the logic this meme is attempting to create is that only Jedi, after years of training and providing proof of skill and mental wellness were allowed access and the ability to wield their weapons. No one in their right mind, not even George Lucas, would give Jar Jar Binks a Light Saber.

As a fan and logical person this meme is insulting and unfortunately a popular opinion among not only the public but my peers. I believe wholeheartedly in equality and inalienable rights, I do not want to limits any ones rights to defend themselves. On the contrary I want to make sure that right is extended to the 600 children America has harmed in its negligence.

Increasing the regulatory processes of gun licensing and the penalties for infractions on that license is where we should start.

Reality? Or Parody?

On Monday October 12, 2015, Errol Louis published an article to CNN.com titled, The problem with Ben Carson. Louis details Carson's gaffes and missteps, as well as the many critiques coming from within his own party. The article further describes the former neurosurgeon as insensitive, incompetent, and unaware due to his responses during interviews and the GOP debate. Louis uses direct quotes from Carson and his critics to demonstrate the ways in which Carson is creating his own political demise.

Errol Louis is a tried CNN political commentator, in addition to being the host of NY1's Inside City Hall, a program about New York politics. Louis has a Bachelors in government from Harvard, a Masters in political science from Yale, and a Juris Doctorate from Brooklyn Law School. His target audience should include a heavy New York base and those that read CNN.

Louis establishes a logical argument by utilizing interviews, editorials, and the candidate's own campaign. Basing an argument events that were recorded and nationally broadcast is brilliant due to its inability to refute. He also takes the proposed poll strength of the former doctor and fashions it into a tool to undermine Carson's credibility. "Carson, like Donald Trump and Carly Fiorina, has enjoyed considerable political success in the polls so far simply by being a nonpolitician. Carson frequently makes a point of emphasizing that he simply speaks his mind, unencumbered by political correctness.The idea of plainspoken, unvarnished talk sounds great -- until you realize that leading a nation of more than 300 million people of every religion, race and ideology might require some diplomatic skill and a lot of knowledge."  Further, by using criticisms only coming from within Carson's suspected and supposed supporters, Louis is able to sew the seeds of discord within Conservatives.

I agree with Louis' argument. I hope that America is able to see that the things Carson is saying are the best indication of his inability to lead this nation. The absurdity and insensitivity that spews from that man's mouth makes me feel as though I am living in a political satire, it is absolutely surreal.

Funding? Or Fearing The Bern?

On October 1, 2015, Sam Frizell published an article to Time Magazine entitled, Why Hillary Clinton Should Fear Bernie Sanders' Fundraising In 2 Charts. Frizell demonstrates through graphs that although Senator Sanders has not raised as much money as his competition, he has many more contributors to his campaign. The article also discusses Sanders' feat of surpassing the number of dollars and contributors President Obama attained during his third quarter campaign. Frizell utilizes these points to inform his readers that Senator Bernie Sanders is not only a serious contender for the Democratic Primary Candidate but also for the Presidency.

Sam Frizell is an accomplished journalist writing for several established periodicals. He is currently employed by Time Magazine to write about Politics specifically from the Democrat perspective. Therefore, one can assume his target audience are American Democrats who read Time Magazine, with the potential to reach a broader readership.

Frizell creates an empirical argument through graphs, facts, and figures. This data has been previously published by the candidates' campaigns without dispute. Utilizing "hard numbers" to establish an opinion creates very little room for opposition. Despite the article relying heavily on the data, Frizell uses language to imply Sanders' formidability. The word "fear" has immense connotation and is, therefore, extremely loaded. Suggesting someone should be afraid of anything or anyone, nearly always implies the weakness of those who fear and the strength of those that inspire it. "And Sanders has significantly outpaced Obama in total individual contributors, as shown here, based on statements from the campaigns themselves. (Clinton’s campaign hasn’t said how many individual contributors she has.)" This quote alone demonstrates Sanders' accomplishments and simultaneously proposes Clinton is apprehensive in revealing her support because she doesn't measure up.

While I don't think Secretary Clinton should be afraid of her competition, I do think that if she desires to be the President of the United States she should be aware of what other candidates are doing and of how much support they possess.