SOAPST for "Education"

The subject of Ralph Waldo Emerson's essay, "Education" is primarily focused on the need for education reform, and the overall philosophy of America's education system. Occasion is used with mentioning that the article was featured in the American Scholar magazine sometime in the 1800s. The audience consists of the readers of American Scholar, parents and teachers. The purpose of this essay is to inform readers of the condition of America's education system and to propose a method of reform for the system. The speaker is the renowned author Ralph Waldo Emerson, whom also served as the vanguard for the Transcendentalism Movement. Tone is used in this essay with Ralph Waldo Emerson's confident and professional writing method. 

SOAPST is a necessary method of analyzing a work of literature. It is extremely straightforward and easily understandable. As an added bonus it is very easy to learn how to use the SOAPST method. SOAPST analyzes every single part of a piece of literature, from the Subject to the Audience to the overall Tone of the piece. Every single portion of SOAPST culminates to form an easy to understand analysis of a seemingly complex work of literature. 

This essay is extremely effective, as Ralph Waldo Emerson is able to easily make all his points. His essay reaches out to a wide variety of readers, from parents to educators alike. His famous name, and the fact that he led the Transcendentalism movement establishes his right to speak of the need for an education reform in the United States.

Doctor treating Ebola in Africa forced into 'inhumane' quarantine

"Nurse Who Spoke Out About Quarantine Felt a Calling for Health Care, Friends Say"
By: Emma G. Fitzsimmons
Source: New York Times
http://www.nytimes.com/2014/10/27/nyregion/nurse-who-spoke-out-about-quarantine-felt-a-calling-for-health-care-friends-say.html?hp&action=click&pgtype=Homepage&version=LargeMediaHeadlineSum&module=b-lede-package-region&region=top-news&WT.nav=top-news

Ebola continues to spread across West Africa, and public fear of the fatal virus is at an all time high thanks to in depth 24/7 media coverage. For the past month, Kaci Hickox, a veteran of Doctors Without Borders and a graduate from University of Texas at Arlington, was in Sierra Leone helping treat Ebola patients. Upon arrival at Newark Liberty International Airport, she was one of the first "victims" of a policy championed by the governors of both New York and New Jersey for an immediate quarantine of all emergency medical staff returning from West Africa. Hickox was extremely frustrated that she was quarantined. She reported she had no symptoms and that the 101 degree reported by the forehead scanner at the airport was due to her being upset and flushed.  A later temperature recorded her body heat at a normal 98.6. She was placed into an isolation tent fitted with a portable toilet, but no shower or TV. She was originally not going to speak about the conditions she was forced to endure, until the governor of New Jersey, Chris Christie reported that she was "obviously ill." Knowing that she was fine, she decided to speak up. She first wrote an essay for the Dallas Morning News and later an interview with CNN. New York Mayor, Joe de Blasio came to the defence of Ms. Hickox's claims that her treatment was inhumane.

This is an important article as it includes the inhumane treatment that medical workers returning from West Africa are forced to endure, and the unnecessary Ebola hysteria brought upon by the over coverage by media. Medical workers should be tested and be given with ethical quarantine procedure, and the media needs to calm down and for once, stop spreading fear.

Scandal with Health Organizations response to the Ebola Outbreamg

"WHO to review Ebola response amid criticism"

By: Ray Sanchez

Source: CNN

http://www.cnn.com/2014/10/18/world/who-ebola-response/index.html

As the Ebola outbreak has claimed 4500 lives in West Africa, the World Health Organization, a United Nations agency responsible for disease control and prevention, is under extreme scrutiny after a report, cited in an Associated Press article, that it's response to the virus was botched due to incompetence and lack of communication with local offices. Criticism ranges from the agency's lack of prior knowledge that traditional containment methods would not work with the deadly Ebola virus, mostly due to affected nations unmonitored "borders" and lack of proper healthcare system, to a local WHO office in the West Africa region not communicating properly with headquarters and relaying information.     Most of the blame was put upon the West Africa office, which was dubbed the frontline against the Ebola outbreak, and was chastised for incompetence. 

Ebola is an extremely important issue facing the world today. It is no longer an issue that can be ignored and it has finally reached American shores. Leaders at the WHO West Africa office should be reprimanded and communication should be re-established in that region if this virus is to be contained. 

Education in America

 Do America's schools meet the educational needs of today's youth? That is the question being asked by both parents and experts alike. I personally believe, from my experience as a private school student, that it indeed does. Although I do not like math class, or hye tad as much as history or english, I understand the importance of it. Math teaches us to use our brains to solve problems, while hye tad instills pride and culture. I have been fortunate enough to attend a private school, but many public schools throughout the nation are severely underfunded and overcrowded, and unfortunately do not FULLY meet the individual educational needs of each and every students. On top of it, the teachers are unfortunately grossly underpaid. Students are still given a useful education, combined with hardwork on their part, that will lead them to success. America's education system is tailored to meet the needs of the masses not the individual. America's education system has its flaws, and it is way behind in standardized testing scores compared to our foreign brothers, but it still serves its goal of providing free education and indoctrinating the important values of being a good American citizen into the impressionable minds of young students. Everything in America is in need of improvement, especially our education system. I have the utmost confidence that the government, and the leaders that we elect will be able to fix the problems marring the American education system. 

"Obama hits road to deal with pair of global crises"
By: Kevin Liptak
Source: CNN
http://www.cnn.com/2014/09/15/politics/obama-ebola-isis/index.html

        In the midst of two international crises spread across two continents; the War on Terror against the ISIS threat in the Middle East, and the Ebola outbreak ravaging West Africa, Obama embarked on a two-day U.S. road trip beginning from Washington. As Ebola continues to spread, and ISIS continues to leave a path of destruction in the Middle East, President Obama's leadership abilities have come under question, and the road trip is meant to showcase his effectiveness as the President. Obama plans to stop at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention headquarters in Atlanta, and the U.S. Central Command at the MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa. Officials calmed the fears that ISIS and Ebola pose a threat to the American homeland, but do warn that if left unchecked they will reach uncontrollable levels. At the CDC headquarters, the President will be briefed on the deadly virus, and how the United States government is responding. The United States has contributed 100 million in combating the disease, and an extra 88 million is expected to be added to that sum if approved by Congress. The current estimate for the casualties of Ebola is at 3,500. At the Central Command in Tampa, where the front against ISIS is being run, the president is to be told about strategic plans against ISIS. According to Obama and his administration, ISIS does not present a threat to the United States, but individual fighters possessing U.S. and E.U. passports could potentially carry out an attack.
      This is a very important topic as it includes two threats important topics plaguing the world today, ISIS and Ebola. Both are currently being dealt with, but still constitute the need for foreign intervention. This two day trip by Obama is an attempt to show that he is a capable leader, but actions matter more. Middle Eastern powers need to work together and form a coalition to battle ISIS, while International Health agencies should continue searching for a cure devastating the nations of West Africa.

Volunteering Equals Experience

      Everyday the workforce in America becomes more and more competitive. This is why it is absolutely imperative that students get a taste of what the workforce they will soon be entering will be like. That is why volunteering must be made mandatory and a requirement for graduation. Along with the added bonus of looking good for colleges, volunteering offers countless opportunities and experiences that will stay with a person for life. Volunteering teaches one the essentials of adhering to a schedule and obeying those above them. One also gain the experience of what it is like to be in the work force, something one cannot get anywhere else. It is true some students will resent it, but volunteering will be a necessary evil for them that will hopefully reform their negative and obstructive thoughts towards working. Volunteering also grooms young, impressionable students into future respectable citizens that will pay their taxes, give back to their communities, and obey the laws set forth by those above them. The pros of volunteering far outweigh the seemingly nonexistent cons. Some may argue it is another form of slavery. This is a weak and spineless argument, as it does not address the valuable experience gained by those who give back. America is in need of valuable and loyal citizens, and they can be found volunteering in the workplace. Volunteers are future firemen, police officers, doctors, United States Serviceman, leaders and so on. The United States is climbing out of the economic turmoil left behind by previous administrations, and young volunteers who took time out of their days to work somewhere for valuable experience are needed to take the reins of the American Economy. Volunteering leads to experience and valuable opportunities, and eventually to a bright and fruitful future.