This being my final blog, I would just like to state that I am barely resisting the strong urge to entirely utilize this entry to recount all of my thoughts on the past semester. I do want to say a few things though, since I know that this is actually being read.

As we watched the film Life and Debt in class, I had about a hundred different sentiments running through my veins. I felt guilty for being a United States citizen. I felt compassion for the people who were in need. I felt frustrated about the whole situation. I felt helpless to do anything to improve. I felt angry that the big guy always picks on the little guy. I felt the pain of the exploitation of Jamaica’s people. I felt distain for major corporations. I even felt distain for cheap food. I felt sick to my stomach to hear the extent of monetary debt that has been accrued.

My interest was piqued when you mentioned that our third paper would have been something of an example of creative non-fiction, so I decided to try my hand at it. This is a brief attempt at capturing a bit of the essence of MY FAMILY.

Hitler is always a great topic of discussion, especially when we had been talking about different persuasion tactics and whatnot. Hitler was such an incredibly effective and influential persuasive individual that he was well on his way to taking over the world by way of his mouth. His speech was his most devastating weapon, and he took full advantage of it. It is amazing to me what can happen when a downtrodden person is suddenly filled with a new hope and purpose for their previously meaningless life.

Regarding MORE of MOORE (specifically SiCKO and The Awful Truth), we also discussed his preferred tactics and whether they were ethical, moreover if a code of ethics even should really apply in such a situation. This led to the question: “Do the ends justify the means?” Mister Instructor Man up front was initially quick to say that from an ethical standpoint, he didn’t EVER feel that the ends justify the means. This immediately sparked the discussion of what may have happened had he taken another route to achieve his goals.

As we discussed again today the topic of Michael Moore and his so-called documentaries, we specifically touched on a topic that is very dear to me: the art of persuasion. Rather than delightfully tearing apart Michael Moore’s ineptitude in the area, I’d like to further examine what perfecting such an art entails. Moore is not the only person in the world who cannot persuade people to listen to him; it is an all too common downfall among people everywhere.

I feel the need to discuss my feelings on some of the supposed underlying ideals of Grizzlyman. Basically, my initial reaction goes something like this: “Holy shit, what an idiot.” And that is all. Honestly, I don’t care how well you think you know a wild animal’s behavior patterns; the fact remains that you are still dealing with an undomesticated animal, which have been proven time and time again to exhibit unpredictable and violent behavior amongst themselves and towards human bystanders and observers. ESPECIALLY GRIZZLY BEARS.

This was quite possibly the most infuriating documentary that I have ever been forced to sit through. The cinematography was a pathetic attempt, at best, even with the help of some (limited) editing. When you told the class that this sex-crazed, borderline homeless failure at life, love and anything remotely related is now a prominent professor at an Ivy League university, I was disgusted beyond belief. Perhaps this is me being closed-minded, but then again, perhaps this is my irrational affinity for a semi-quality contribution to society.

Another Wordsworth poem that was discussed in class is the fourth "Lucy" poem. My group also presented on this. It speaks of a "Maid" and uses very specific imagery to paint a scene. Some of the images the reader gets are a secluded dwelling alongside some springs, a shining star, and a violet next to a mossy stone.