1. To start, this was the first essay we have read in this class that I did not like both in context and style. First off I believe Sanders did a poor job using his examples to support his ideas. I think it was a mistake to frequently use quotes from individuals who had a counter argument to his and then dissect and comment on those. Each time he went through this process I found myself agree more with the original quote than with his opinion (which often appeared as a petty jab to the text). Furthermore I didn't approve of his other examples either. The first personal one was probably the best and overall I really think he should have stuck with these personal instances rather than pulling other sources out of his ass that didn't really seem to fit well for me. I have a bit of an interest in Zen Buddhism and I think by isolating this one statement he somewhat improperly used a teaching for his own use. However, I admit that I am not a master of this concept, unlike Sanders probably is… And on top of that there was the hideous illusion to the Holocaust. Seriously? But then again I am probably being a bit unfair because I did not go into reading this with an open mind. My opinion of wether one should stay put or explore is the exact opposite of Sanders. My formative years were spent traveling around the world for my fathers job. In increments from anywhere between a month and a year I have lived in Rome, Prague, Berlin and a few cities in Morocco, but I have also done a great deal of traveling on top of that. When I frequently go back to Rome and Berlin and each time it is a wonderful, often sentimental experience. I feel because I have traveled and had my horizon broadened I do not just have one home base, but several, each with a unique diversity that has added to my character. I absolutely loved my childhood and feel very fortunate to have had these opportunities because I know it really added a great deal to my perspective. However, that is something that worked for me. Some people would be their happiest moving, others staying put. I think that everyone should be educated and have an idea of the world existing outside their comfort zone. But I believe that there is not one good or bad way to live in that regard. Again every person is different and wants different things.
2. Clearly, I did not enjoy the essay. I found Sanders's tone to be very abrasive. I felt he was less saying look at this perspective (which is a more effective and positive way to communicate an opinion) and was more expressing that he was right. It seemed as though he thought what he was saying to be some great wonderful important movement of Americans or that he had the truth that no one else has put into action. I really didn't feel he had enough humbleness in his manor of presenting this argument. If I had to read this essay I would do so quite dramatically to both accentuate the absolute seriousness and importance of his points but really just to mock the ridiculousness that is this essay.
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