R-8

Good Evening,

For this week’s discussion post and writing our own Rogerian speech on a national or international issue that matters to us I thought I would write a speech on the use of single use plastic in the produce department of grocery stores. While it is not a hard-hitting topic, it is a matter being discussed in most countries in the world currently. 

“91% of plastic isn’t recycled. A 2017 study published in Science Advances showed that 91% of plastic isn’t recycled and either ends up in our oceans or in a landfill. When you think of plastic in a grocery department, just about every item is either wrapped in it, shipped in it, or holds it. In today’s demand for cleaner and more sustainable items it’s time we found replacements to single use plastic in the produce department. While certain packaging is still needed to extend the life of produce and is therefore necessary and beneficial. Packaging produce can help extend its life, making it easier to access those foods from areas it is not native. Plastic packaging also allows for lighter load weights for shipping, therefore resulting in cheaper shipping and even less fuel usage. However, those benefits do not tend to outweigh the cons of single use plastic in the produce department. When I worked as a produce manager for a small grocery store, I made changes to our displays and removed the unnecessary single use plastics. For example, we would get cabbage in a cardboard box from our supplier, and we would put it in a plastic bag, place it on the shelf and the customer would then bag it and then bag it with their other grocery items, three levels of plastic for a cabbage that originally came in a cardboard box. I did away with the three levels of plastic, displayed the cabbage on the shelf with its beautiful green colors for all to see and gave customers the option to bag the cabbage in a paper bag. Our produce sales doubled after removing the unnecessary plastic from the display shelves and customer responsiveness to the new display was overwhelmingly positive. Thus, while there may be benefits to still using single us plastics in the produce department, the overall consumer response in the current market is that produce is more appealing when it’s not displayed and enclosed in plastic. To a degree if single use plastic was removed from produce department areas in grocery stores the response and increased purchase of produce could almost certainly outweigh the cost of continuing to use single use plastic. There are plenty of alternatives that can work that reflect positive change for our oceans and landfills while also still earning top dollar for the industry.”

I do not think that I have used the Rogerian method in writing before, either in my studies or career. However, I feel like the way the argument is structured I have used it verbally before. I think I like this method for making sound and fair arguments, making sure your side and the others is heard and it is understood what the benefits of your position would be for the other person. I will continue to use this method in the future.

                There have been many incidents between police officers and people of color in the history of the United States.  This all came to a head after the killing of George Floyd this past May.   The actions of the police that evening are deplorable.  Subsequently there has been a call to defund law enforcement across the nation.  But is defunding the police the answer?  What are the ramifications of doing this?

                I spent my career in the military fighting for the rights of all Americans regardless of color, class, or creed.  My career as a firefighter paramedic, I have chosen to provide lifesaving medical treatments and protect the citizens and their property in the community that I serve.  I cannot provide the same services if I do not have law enforcement support on many of these critical calls.

                Addiction has touched almost every family and this nation and opioid addition is at the top of the list right now.  What many do not realized is when a call to 911 goes out for an overdose, the medics can not respond until the scene is secured by law enforcement.  This is a requirement due to introducing people into an unknown and possible dangerous and unstable situation.  A delay in response from law enforcement due to lack of manpower will result in unnecessary deaths.  This delay can be taxing on the medics as they know that they carry the antidote for many different types of overdoses and unable to doing anything. 

                Suicide is another problem that plagues all levels of society.  Just like in the call for an overdose, medics can not commit to a scene without law enforcement.  This is not due to the person doing something wrong but protection for the medics.  Ultimately, both the medics and the cops want what is best for the patient.

                Not all people who perform a certain occupations are bad.  Sure, there are cops that abuse their authority and do not act appropriately towards certain communities.   Teachers who we trust with our children, have sex with their students.  Clergy has performed acts against children as well.  We have not called for defunding or closure of our churches and schools.  But we have of our police.

                Defund the police?  How about reform the police?  Society needs a presence of law enforcement but is does need to be done with equality and honor.  Times have changed and cultural education needs to be emphasized.  While there may some bad apples, a majority of the people who have sworn to protect and serve have done just that.  As a medic, I depend on them to do my job to the best of my ability.  They are as essential to my job as a fire truck or an ambulance.  A change is due in the way they operate but we still need police officers on our streets.

Hello,

Moving on to this week’s forum post, I will use the Rogerian method to advocate for adoption of alternative electrical generation grids based on thermo-nuclear and renewables. My speech starts below.

In the modern era, we find ourselves with increasing average temperatures, stronger and more frequent weather events, and ever-increasing amounts of polar ice melt. Global warming is a threat to not only the United State of America, but also to our friends and partner nations around the world. In an agreeable amount of time (such as a ten or twenty-year plan) our nation needs to replace our existing fossil fuel-based electrical production. Advancements in the fields of nuclear power and renewable resources, couples with adoption of electrical vehicles pave the path forward to a lower carbon emissions framework.

            Opponents to such endeavors exist and are numerous. Each have their own strategic goals and challenges. It is understandable why companies involved either directly or indirectly with the current energy grid and oil production take issue. I understand the concerns of coal miners, worried about their future. I understand the cost involved, and hope to chart a path forward. Not by independently charting a path of forced conversion and adoption, but by working together to convert jobs, facilities, and retrain workers to the extent possible. At the same time, it is prudent to understand that for progress to be made, not every company or position can be saved.

            I passionately believe that an overhaul of our electrical grid based on nuclear and renewable power, and I want you to believe too. No one can deny this is the future of power. If you as an early adopter, company, or state and local government adopt fast you will be at the forefront with more opportunity and less competition. It is imperative that we adopt green technologies and adapt our electrical grid, together, to ensure a brighter future for future generations.