Summary 3

In the article “Perfecting the Union” by Roger Cohen, the author argues that prior to Barack Obama winning the Presidential election, the American people had been lied to, and sacrificed their lives in the war in Iraq for weapons that did not exist. And because of this, what Cohen describes as “serial incompetence” it was the American people’s self-respect that was at the highest importance at the time of Obama’s win. He points out that Barack Obama spoke about the American people being connected as one in a speech he gave in 2004 at the Democratic convention. And kept with that belief of America as one people in his victory speech he gave in Chicago. Cohen insists that Barack Obama himself symbolizes a “more perfect union” for various reasons. First because of his belief of the American people as one, and the thought that America can be better that what it has been. Another reason the author points out is Barack Obama’s Kenyan father, the fact that an African- American was elected into the white house after years of slavery shows how the American people are becoming more united, more as one nation, one people. It is because of these reasons Cohen believes that Obama is a symbol of a “perfect union”.
I don’t want to come across as being bias, considering the fact that I to like Cohen voted for Barack Obama. But I would have to say that I do feel that given the fact that an African-American is now the President of the United States of America does prove that we can be better than we have in the past. And it also proves that as Americans, we are showing efforts in our attempt in becoming one people. We can look past things such as a person’s race and look at what is more important, like in Obama’s case, what a person believes in or what they stand for. This is clearly a sign that America is on its way to being a “Perfect Union”.

Summary 2

In his article “Kidnapped in Pakistan: The End of American Ideals?” Hady Amr believes that Muslim Americans would rather welcome the help of local officials in Middle Eastern countries, in a life threatening situation, then to involve the United States government. The author tells of a story in which a friend of his by the name Ayesha, an ex co-workers, brother is abducted in Pakistan. When Amr suggests involving the American Government in the kidnapping of Ayesha’s brother she decides against their involvement. Even though Ayesha’s future goals as a highly educated Muslim American with a Harvard degree was to improve the relationships between the United States of America and the people from the Middle East and South Asia, she believed that it was best to let the Pakistani officials handle her brothers kidnapping. As a Muslim American himself, Hady Amr suggests that this decision may be based on how the American government is loathed for its “hypocrisy” in places that at one time admired American ideals. Furthermore, Amr claims that it is due to the actions and behaviors of people including himself, elected representatives in Washington D.C., and other citizens of the United States that has damaged America’s reputation and has made it almost impossible for America to defend its citizens.
While I am not a Muslim American I can agree with Amr on the fact that it may just be due to actions, like voting on going to war with Iraq with barley any evidence, etc… that would make certain countries distrust and loath the American government. In the article Amr speaks of a time when the Muslim world looked at America as a “hope for a positive future”. But today because of how America has conducted itself that view has turned negative. And it is because of this dislike for America that I can understand why Ayesha felt it was safer for her and her family not to ask the U.S. government to step in and help.

Summary 1

In his article “A Fire in the Basement,” Bob Herbert suggests that the United States of America is in serious trouble even though currently it may be more powerful and prosperous than ever before. Today there is an increasing amount of men and women unable to find jobs, and as a result of this, these middle class families are winding up in incredible amounts of debt. In his travels to different cities in the United States Herbert found that there are staggering numbers of young adults across America who are out of school, unemployed, and they do not receive any help from the government to find work or further their education. Herbert believes that unlike the times when the people of this country were committed to protecting the rights of workers, today the people running this nation are selfish, full of greed, and care not for the middle class American, but only for fattening their own pockets. Herbert’s hope for America is someone to call attention to what he calls “injustice and deceit” and for someone to stand up and fight for anyone and everyone who needs a helping hand.
In my view, I agree with Herbert’s observations. I have witnessed many people around me lose their jobs and who are forced to foreclose on their houses and even file for bankruptcy. All the while, the very rich CEO’s of major companies asking for bailouts and receiving just that. Unfortunately, there isn’t the same option for the middle class worker. They are to just tough out these hard times and get through it.