In Class Work 10/28: An Article and My Opinion.

In Today's Class discussion We focused on articles that led up to events that were important to our research topic. There was one New York Times article that in fact stuck out to me and answered some inquiring questions that I intentionally had set out to figure out through the process of my research. The Article was entitled "The Race for Space II- Country's reverses traced primarily to Organization and Primary Efforts" by Hanson W. Baldwin. I was not in fact so much intrigued by how the Times covered the article but was more intrigued by the responses and further commentary made by some U.S officials on their views regarding their role in the Space Race.

There was one comment made by Dr T. Keith Glennan that responded toward the criticism the U.S. faced regarding their role in The Space Race due to the success of the USSR reaching the moon. An admission on the U.S part that further damaged their  reputation which states:  "The reasons for our reverses in the space race lie primarily in the field of organization and planning not in inadequate technology." Which leads me to believe that the U.S. feared that because the were so great of a nation and had all the necessary resources and funds they would be looked at as a weaker opponent and their reputation would be caught at a standstill. His comment not only lacked facts as of why and what took them so long to beat the USSR but then to only blame the reason and only reason they were unfortunate in making an grand victory was due to a lack of organization and adequate planning by NASA officials and the U.S. Government. This news article was very much informative and was directly on point as to stating what could have been the distraction or what was the governments reason as to why they lulled behind Soviet Russia to space. I would like to say that this article didn't indeed sway the opinion I had originally about the U.S role in the space race but indeed opened my eyes to the key partners that were involved in the space race and how they looked at it outside of just the United States; How not only Russia looked at it but how they interpreted their accomplishment and how the U.S dealt with the backlash from critics and peers.

The Race for Space-- II Article

Understanding Power II The Ideologies that lie within Soviet Russia, U.S and the Space race

In Today's class discussion In LIB 100 we discussed briefly on how to understand powers that lie within our country using various forms of Isms (Ideas). Such Ideologies that I come face to face with my topic is the ideology of both Communism and Capitalism.
In the following document which I will use as a secondary source for my research actually focuses upon the two opposing Ideologies and how they both represent both countries and the beliefs they hold in the competition and rivalry that is the space race.

Ideologies and Description of Space Race

Updated bibliography ( USSR & US on the Space Race)

Wingo, W. (1963) "The Scramble into Space"

The Science News- Letter, Vol. 84, No. 22, pp. 341- 343

(1962) "Space, Past, Present & Future"

The Science News- Letter, Vol. 82, No. 24, pp. 381- 383

Eberhart, J. (1965) "Space Race Pace Quickens"

The Science News- Letter, Vol. 87, No. 25, pp. 387+ 397- 398

Brzezinski, M. (2007)  "Red Moon Rising: Sputnik and The Hidden Rivalries that ignited the Space Age"

Henry Holt and Company

Schefter, J. (1999) "The Race: The Uncensored Story Of How America beat Russia to The Moon."

Doubleday

Brainstorming Revelation: Revising the topic Of My Choice

After discussing some provisional aspects that I can dwell into, I have transfered my key focus to focusing on what was known as "The Space Race" that took place between the Soviet Union and U.S. During The Cold War Era. From 1957 to 1975 the Space Race was a technological competition between both countries to explore into supremacy over conquering Space. It's intentions in the beginning we're set as an missile-based  arms race that was to occur just after the end of World War II; a revolution of technological rivalry turned into a opportunity to show off each countries advancement of not only technology but of their wits and smarts of how to out do each other and gain notice from their actions.There are in fact some noted Key players from both power countries that had a role in the pioneer movement of dominating space. Soviet Union players we're Sergey Korolyov, Vladimir Chelomey, Vasily Mishin just to name a few, The United States on the other hand has President Kennedy, James E. Webb, Robert R. Gilruth, Wernher Von Braun etc.
Based on what I've found so far, I for one can actually say I am pleased that I actually have a main topic that interests me as well as "the Space race". I look forward to answering some questions that I already have in mind about the Soviet Union and the U.S. during the time of this act. For example, How did the space race affect both countries financially? Did it put a dent into the wallets of both countries economical future or did it not affect them at all? Did it help their technological advances grow as a nation or was it a waste of time? Why?

My Version of the Bibliography (Draft1 ) without annotations

Works Cited

Kharabi. J, (2010). The View from Moscow.

 Journal of International Affairs, 0022197X, Vol. 63, Issue 2

This interview gives a detailed look at the history of Russia and it's leaders with their thoughts on the relations between the two power countries.

McCauley. M, (2003). Russia's Bitter Path to Modernity: A History of the Soviet and Post-Soviet Eras/A Century of Russian Violence in Soviet Russia .

History Today,  Vol. 53 Issue 9, p56, 2p

Nunn. S, Stulberg. A, (2000). The Many Faces of Russia.
Foreign Affairs, Vol. 79, No. 2, pp. 45-62

Rywkin. M, (2008). Russia's place in the world
American foreign policy Interests, Vol. 30 Issue 5, p 310-314, 5p

Is Russia a friend or an enemy of the United States? Can it be both at the same time? This set of policy recommendations to the new president provides telling answers to those questions. This Article focuses upon that question and many more theories of both nations that we're either left unanswered or avoided.

Mankoff. J, (2008). Russian Foreign Policy and The United States after Putin.
Problems of Post-Communism,  Vol. 55 Issue 4, p 42-51, 10p, 1

The title of the article sums up majority of what it's focus is based on. The Federal Russian Government outlook on Foreign Policy after Medvedev rule and President Putin's takeover. Also discusses ideological preferences or conflicts associated with the Russian elites

Progress So far...

I have chosen Russia as my focus for my research essay. On my last post I brainstormed some possibilities as to where I wanted to shift my focal point in learning about not only the history of Russia but also it's economical state compared to that of the united states. I already have some questions I plan on using to build my purpose for the essay..Some questions I would like to focus on is: What was their (U.S.) partake of this event? (i.e. the cold war era)  Was their presence necessary? (i.e. what was their motive of getting involved with the war)  How did Government officials go about handling this manner; was it a right move or did it further put to say the nail in the coffin of both countries relationships?... (i.e. how did Russia's federal government and United states government come to a means of ending the war after a long period of time. What was their goal. did their solutions affect their future relationship positively or negatively).

During this lengthy period I have found some reliable sources on ebsco and Jstor. One article in particular that gives a detailed look into both the United states relationship with Russia and their thoughts so far on the progress made so far by both countries entitled "The view from Moscow."

My Research on Russia & It's History.

After careful consideration I have chosen Russia to be my main focus in this research essay.

I am fairly interested in this country because I would like to gain more knowledge about United States connections toward the Russian government, also to gain more knowledge Of the Russian Government as a whole. Some questions I would like to have answered through my research would be: Are there good ally ties that lie within both countries and if so are they helping one another or hurting one another, also in the last decade have the intentions directed by both countries hurt their power status in the world or has it helped them both or separately. It is known that United States issues with Russia date back to the dissolution of the Soviet Union. What I noticed about my wikipedia entry was that it was  highly detailed and gives clues to what is to be featured located in the sub contents, here it focuses upon The history of Russia, It's role in the world. It's Technology, Culture, Government, politics and economy. We focus mainly upon Russia's rule under Stalin and It's capital Moscow and the history that lies there. I hope to focus and come to a means of figuring out United states Sole purpose within the Soviet Union. What was their partake of this event? Was their presence necessary? How did Government officials go about handling this manner was it a right move or did it further put to say the nail in the coffin of both countries relationships?...

Hearts & Minds: The Sad Truth Of America & What We We're meant not to see.

Peter Davis documentary film "Hearts and Minds" gives us a deep look into the Vietnam war and how it negatively affected both The United States but also The Civilians of Vietnam. As we saw from the film Davis included various clips of football scenes, news footage and scenes from old movies that played a part in telling the story of the Vietnam war; we saw scenes of news footage that broadcast possibly live footage of what was going on overseas. It displayed pure Hell. Dead bodies lying in the street, One civilian handcuffed behind his back shot point- blank in the head by an American soldier,all for the eyes of American civilians at home to witness. Shots of football games showed an happier time in America's history. The sport that supposedly not only brings people together as one but in doing so unifies them and the passion of choosing sides and rooting for either the away team or the home team of winning the game. In which I guess you can say is what Davis wanted to achieve in doing so comparing America's past-time i.e football and comparing it to the likes of a war.Displaying the emotions not only the coaches (or dictators and state officials in the wars case) feel on the field but off the field as well. The idea of winning is the only goal. Doesn't matter how much blood is being shed or how many team players get taken out the game as long as we win, we matter to everyone...if we lose you only have yourself to blame. Which ideally makes you realize that the only ideology America has to pass on for it's future is that Winning matters, if you lose your lost. Bullying the little people doesn't hurt our image..it only strengthens us and feeds our passion of doing more damage to others that we already haven't brainwashed and kept for the taking.
Learning about ideologies in Prof. Johnson's class watching the film I for one got the sense that certain ideologies such as the idea of winning and the statements made by our past presidents led to U.S involvement with the Vietnam war. The idea of being lied to and betrayed in a certain sense by leaders that you chose to lead your country down the straight path of exceeding great fortune and building us for a better future you wouldn't think they would do anything to not only put at harm the Americans that give their life to serve the country but of the families that in the end wind up paying the ultimate price for freedom. Now we all have noticed that in recent wars the country has faced their has been little to no exposure of images that showcase our wars being fought, When comparing the times of now to then back in the 70s when this film was made, I don't honestly think they serve a purpose to the public..in fact I found what was being shown to the American public was purely disgusting and barbaric but i will beg to differ and say that the footage possibly gave families an insight to what was going on and actually made them think as to "Is this what we're over there for?" while we are all suffering with unemployment rates going up and we're all trying to make ends meet with no jobs or no type of income coming in..We're sending our tax dollars overseas fighting a war just to kill harmless civilians. It's pretty sick when you think about it and it's sad just watching it. After watching this documentary my mindset about America and what we stand for has totally changed for the better. I now know to definitely keep my eyes and ears open to everything around me..For we are not safe and have no one to trust & protect us at the end of the day but ourselves.