Outside reading (French keyboards suck)

Eisenhower, posed a choice by the War department, had to join the General staff or go to France. He chose ended up choosing the latter (Ambrose 87). The reason he did so was that his wife Mamie wanted to go to France (Although Eisenhower did want the first choice) and that he didn't want to hurt her feelings. I guess personal bonds like this are strong enough to change the decisions one makes. Eisenhower returned in November 1929 to Washington. This time, he was reassigned to managing the new industries in the wake of the Great Depression (Ambrose 88). This shows that someone will be moved from their expertise for the fact that demands of everyone matter need to be met or fixed. Later, he would help set up the Philippine Army, although his work would be for nothing in the end as the Japanese easily destroyed it (105). This shows that people will fight for a cause that might not be successful.

OTWF

"As we watch the film On the Waterfront this week, consider the varying beliefs of the characters when it comes to what the difference is between a traitor and a whistle blower, or a "stool pigeon" and an "informant on criminal activity". In your 2 paragraph blog post, discuss what the characters believe about this question and then discuss what YOU believe about this question. When are you being a 'tattle tale' and when are speaking out against what you believe is improper behavior?"

I believe that, in this instance, what defines being a traitor is being what kind of cause you are doing it for. For example, we view Benedict Arnold as a traitor because he went against the American cause, which is good in our viewpoint. In our viewpoint, we also view the mob as bad, and that anything that compromises the mob would be good. I mean, from the mob's point of view, Terry is a traitor, but we view him as someone that stood up. (Note that I agree with the positive perception)

Also, point of view is the key in such a perception. If you are on the side that is being supported, you praise him. If you are on the other side, where you were betrayed, that defines a traitor. The thing is is that since the mob is bad (our general conception makes that way), we view Terry as an honest person.

Outside reading (Eisenhower)

Eisenhower was a Commanding Officer (CO) during World War I. He achieved the rank of lieutenant colonel at age 28. Eisenhower was twenty-eight years old when World War had ended. Along with the end of the war came the shrink of the army and Eisenhower's rank. He was demoted to captain, but later was promoted to major (Ambrose 67). This is obviously demeaning, as he had earned that rank, but had lost it for no apparent reason. I find this weird and unnecessary. Eisenhower worked with multiple generals that would influence his life, like Fox Conner, John Pershing, Douglas MacArthur, and George C. Marshall (Ambrose 73). MacArthur would be the most influential. So Eisenhower would gain more power and skill as he further progressed until he became a general himself. He made an ethical choice by putting his country first, instead of working specifically for himself. Every decision he would make would be an ethical choice, as he is directing the lives of multiple men.