Ban on Single-Use Plastic Bags

"California lawmakers send governor a ban on single-use plastic bags"
By: Patrick McGreevy
LA Times
http://www.latimes.com/local/political/la-me-pc-lawmakers-governor-ban-plastic-bags-20140828-story.html

On Friday August 29, the Senate provided legislative approval to stop the usage of plastic bags in supermarkets, convenience stores and pharmacies. The government is trying to make an effort to stop littering on streets. This measure is allowing stores to charge customers 10 cents for a paper bag or reusable bag other than the single plastic bag being used already. California is the first state senate to ban the usage of free plastic bags, although the bags are also banned in Hawaii. Senator Alex Padilla says, "We have seen a groundswell of action in this direction at the local level, but this is a statewide problem meriting a statewide solution" (McGreevy, 1). On July 1, 2015 the ban will take action in pharmacies and grocery store. The ban will take place in liquor stores and other convenience stores. Some Republicans are opposing this ban. For example, Ted Gaines of Rocklin says to his colleagues, "I'm quite frankly offended by having the state dictate what we need and don’t need in our lives" (McGreevy, 1). Some say that the plastic bags used today are not all wasted. The legislation is going to provide $2 million in competitive loans to the bag-makers so they can produce reusable bags, instead of plastic bags.

This current event article will become important when the ban takes place in July of 2015. People will need to take their own reusable bags to grocery stores, in order to avoid paying an extra 10 cents for plastic bags. "More than 14 billion single-use plastic bags are distributed by retailers each year and 88% of plastic bags are not recycled, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.  In California, only 3% are recycled," according to CalRecycle, (McGreevy,1). Banning the usage of plastic bags will help our ecosystems and decrease the amount of litter on the streets. 

 

Speech to the Troops at Tilbury

             In 1588 Queen Elizabeth I conveys her famous speech to the English troops, who were preparing to fight the Spanish Armada. When Queen Elizabeth was conveying this speech to her audience she was wearing armor. The Spanish Armada had been preparing to invade England for three years and the Spanish outnumbered Queen Elizabeth’s troops. SOAPST allows the readers to carefully analyze and understand the main important points of the writing.

            The speaker of this speech is the Queen of England and she is providing her troops with the hope they need to face the battle with confidence and courage. She has said this speech in 1588 at Tilbury. This speech is meant for the English troops gathered around her and also to anyone in England. The subject of the speech Queen Elizabeth conveys, displays support to her troops. The purpose of this speech is for Queen Elizabeth to let the soldiers know that she will fight with them and support them. She lets the army know that she is one of them, by using the word “we”. She is providing the army with the confidence to fight for their country. Queen Elizabeth sets a specific tone when saying this speech to the English soldiers and all of England. Queen Elizabeth uses the word “we” throughout the speech, in order to let the audience know that she is with them. She is offering her life for her kingdom. The tone of her speech is humble, because even though she is queen she downgrades herself to one of the soldiers. This speech is inspiring to the soldiers and provides them with the confidence to fight. This piece of literature is completely effective, given the fact that Queen Elizabeth makes herself as one of the English people. This speech gives the soldiers the inspiration and braveness to fight for their country.

Napa Valley 6.0 Earthquake

      “California Hit With Earthquake Of 6.0 Magnitude”
        
        By: Ellen Knickmeyer
        Source: The Huffington Post

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/08/24/california-earthquake_n_5703959.html

       On August 24 at around 3:20 am a 6.0 earthquake struck 6 miles away from the town Napa.  It left the town with destroyed water mains and ruptured gas lines.  An afternoon press conference took place in Napa Valley, after all the damage had been done. Napa’s Queen of the Valley hospital representatives said that 120 people had been treated and six people were critically injured.  President Barrack Obama was aware and told of this earthquake. Federal officials have sent and been in touch with local emergency responders.  Governor Jerry Brown sent emergency responders and helpful equipment to Napa. Napa’s Fire Department said they had to extinguish six fires. They needed to rescue trapped people from their homes and send injured individuals to hospitals.  The 120 people that were sent to hospitals, mostly had cuts, bruises and bumps from either trying to escape their homes or while cleaning up.  USGS says, “The earthquake is the largest to shake the Bay Area since the magnitude 6.9 Loma Prieta quake in 1989”(pg. 1).  In Napa valley, about at least three buildings have become damaged which included the county courthouse. Different crews were rescuing people and assessing any type of damage. Freeways became cracked and damaged, although there were not reports of people stranded in their cars. Pacific Gas and spokesman J.D. Guidi said, “Close to 30,000 lost power right after the quake hit, but the number was down just under 19,000, most of them in Napa" (pg. 1). The earthquake did not cause too many damages, but the town and Red Cross are still repairing the town. 

          Gatorade Ad

         Advertisements are meant to catch the reader’s attention and make them want to buy the product.  A well-displayed advertisement should include all three appeals. Ethos, logos and pathos are important aspects that need to be added into advertisements in order to complete it and have it appeal to audiences. Gatorade advertisements are the perfect example of an ad that includes ethos, logos and pathos. 

            Looking at this advertisement, the audience will first notice the picture of the girl hitting a baseball. The girl displays the pathos section of the ad because she is showing the audience that with Gatorade she is able to excel in sports and hit a baseball. When kids see this Gatorade advertisement they will make the connection that by drinking Gatorade they will perform better in sports. The logo at the top left corner of the advertisement is the ethos portion. This Gatorade logo is verifying that the people who displayed this advertisement are a well -known company. When people see the Gatorade logo they are aware of their products and company.  The logos portion of the Gatorade advertisement is the writing that says, “When you choose Gatorade for your thirst quencher you are bound to SCORE”. This quote is promising the consumers of the product that by drinking Gatorade you are bound to perform well. The three products of Gatorade at the bottom of the advertisement is also categorized under logos, because it displays different types of products the company offers. This Gatorade advertisement is effective because it displays all three appeals correctly. By looking at this ad, many athletes will be persuaded that drinking Gatorade can help you excel in sports.