Blog #2

It is no shock to any United States Citizen that President Trump is not the most well liked President. There are countless amounts of republicans who supported him during the election, but since then they have done a 180 with their opinion of him. An article from the New York Post discusses the influences and choices the #TheResistance movement has created for people and how his actions thus far while in office have citizens questioning their faith in him.

President Trump has more so been questioning motives of political “enemies” rather than addressing them and taking action. Here is where the issue of opposing narratives lies: from this viewpoint, the article is influencing us (the reader) to be under the impression that President Trump has done nothing thus far. Yes, he is questioning them, however, he is taking no action. Yet conservatives are the ones pushing this matter, but they really have no support in backing it up with suggestions for change.

This article is in ways making fun of liberals. At one point it talks about how President Trump does not exhibit “prudence, reliance or inherited wisdom.” What democrats do not understand is that neither do they. In order to criticize and complain about something, especially as important as the President of the United States, one should have an alternative or suggestion in place of what is currently being offered. The New York Post is trying to depict this narrative. 

The narrative of this article is exposing liberals and democrats for having no solution to what they see as an issue. They make Trump out to be a monster, yet they have no one to over step him. These are the people who are making republicans question their trust in Mr. Trump.

Not many people feel as though our new president has done much since being elected into office. Some even, like Paul Krugman, have voiced their strong but undesirable views on Donald Trump and their trust in him is lacking. When reading Krugman’s column, the audience is influenced to believe he is nothing less of an idiot, to be blunt. He picks out every little thing President Trump has not done or could have done slightly better. He depicts him to be a clueless man who has no idea how to run a country. Krugman claims that Trump had no clue how to handle trade deals. During the campaign it did not necessarily hurt him, but it also did not help him. However, now that it is time for him to make a change, he is left baffled and empty-handed.

Krugman quote’s Donald Trump when he says, “Nobody knew health care could be so complicated.” Krugman believes he is saying the same thing about trade policy. Now, Donald Trump has only been President for not even six months. When people read articles where the writer’s opinions are so negative and strong, of course they are going to believe them and be influenced by that. There are things that President Trump has done since being elected, that some people would be in support of. But since Krugman is so anti-Trump, he will never write about those as they happen.

It is important to keep an open mind within politics. People like Paul Krugman will try and lead an audience one way, while there are plenty of other narratives that portray many other sides to Mr. Trump.

http://nypost.com/2017/02/17/the-resistance-is-pushing-republicans-to-back-trump/

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/04/03/opinion/trump-is-wimping-out-on-trade.html?_r=0

                                                                                                                                               

                                                                                                                                                 

                                                                                                                                               

Blog #1

This past Monday, February 20, 2017, was President's Day. I am sure we could all have expected there to be some crazed things taking place, given that we are recently under new administration. Donald Trump has only been our president for about a month now.

Nationwide, many activists held “Not My President’s Day” rallies, which turned ugly in some places. These rallies took place in New York, Chicago, LA and many other large cities. Protestors were chanting things such as “Hey hey, ho ho, Donald Trump has got to go!” (http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2017/02/20/not-my-presidents-day-rallies/98151790/) Many people had signs while they rallied, painted on them things such as “NOT my president” and “Fire up to fire Trump.” Some people dressed in goofy outfits and some even had giant cut outs of our President. As the rallies got heated and more intense, the police became involved; tackling aggressive and violent protestors.

On the other hand, Trump supporters are planning conservative rallies across the nation, to push back against the protestors against him. These are said to take place in Georgia. Debbie Dooley helped organize the events “Spirit of America” which are in support of President Trump bringing back jobs for Americans. The first rally is planned to occur on February 25, 2017. Dooley said, “President Trump is under attack from the left, so we need to show the left we support President Trump.” (http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2017/02/20/not-my-presidents-day-rallies/98151790/) 

The second article is a direct response to political activism, in support of our President. However, everyone participating in either rally/protest are on two different sides. Yet they all went about expressing their views about the election and new administration in the same way. When comparing the two opposing sides, the anti-Trump protestors were aggressive and violent, while the pro-Trump supporters are planning a peaceful rally to express their views on our new President. Protesting is a great way to express people’s views and opinions. But sometimes people abuse it, just as the anti-Trump protestors did.

The persuasive techniques used were visual imagery and emotion. The use of emotion can be seen by the anti-Trump supporters, through their aggressiveness and determination. They expressed their views and feelings on the matter so strongly, in hopes to convince people of the opposing side to alter their own views. By conveying their side and why they feel the way they do, anyone who does not already agree with them, will be more likely to sympathize and see their reasoning. Visual imagery can be seen with they way some protestors dressed and the signs they made to hold while chanting. Visual imagery is effective, especially in a protest because it sticks in people’s head. They are more likely to remember things when they see it. And along with just seeing it, they are hearing it too, from the protestors chanting. With these two techniques used together, it is more likely to get the message out and seen.

The demographics being targeted are young adults; anyone who is new to the political world, or even just voting, because they have a voice, and want to be heard. Young adults are the future, so the more involved they are now, the more likely the future will end up in their favor. If these ant-Trump protestors can get more people on board, the more likely they are to get their way. The other demographics being targeted are immigrants. While people are chanting against everything President Trump stands for, those who it is directed at will become more enraged and likely to join in.  

With the second protest coming up, said to be a peaceful one, there will be much more for people to say about the matter. There is always going to be two sides to everything, especially when political views are involved.