Friday, September 18, 2009
Analysis # 1 Kairos
Dan Simpson's article "Get out of Afghanistan, too" displays the rhetorical tool of Kairis, in that it addresses the right people at the right time in the right place. It argues, obviously, for leaving Afghanistan. The article was published Febuary 4th, shortly after president Obama was elected, in part due to his promise to leave Iraq. Mr. Simpson shows his sense of Kairos by writing and publishing his article just after the president promising to end the war in Iraq was elected, in the minds of many americans the war in Afghanistan and Iraq are connected. By promoting the end of the war in Afghanistan, when the end of the war in Iraq is near Mr. Simpson capitalizes on this perception. The Article is also addressed to the right audience, that is an America weary after 6 years in Iraq and 7 in Afghanistan. Also by publishing the article when the end of the war in Iraq is at least within sight, Mr. Simpson also addresses an audience that is hopeful for an end to American entanglement in major overseas engagements. Mr. Simpson also addresses the right people. It seems to me that he is addressing (in addition to the rest of america) those who wanted an end to the war in Iraq, which they now have. By addressing those who supported American withdrawal from Iraq Mr. Simpson targets those most likely to be convinced that getting out of Afghanistan is good. These people have already ended one conflict, so it is logical to conclude that they will support the end of another. The article was also published in the right place, America, which is the leader of the NATO forces in Afghanistan. By publishing the article in America Mr. Simpson targets the root of the conflict. Mr. Simpson clearly demonstrates an understanding of Kairos by publishing his article at the right time, just after Obama's inaugeration, to the right people, those who supported withdrawal from Iraq (as well as the rest of war weary America), and in the right place, America, the leader of the NATO/UN forces in Afghanistan.
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I agree that Simpson posted this article at a relevant time in that we're trying to withdraw from Afghanistan, too, but I don't think it sounds good to say "that he is addressing (in addition to the rest of america) those who wanted an end to the war in Iraq." Perhaps those people are more likely to agree with him, but it seems unnecessary to say that he addresses them and the rest of Americans.
ReplyDeleteAs a comment on Dan Simpson's article and not yours, I was confused when he said "I think he [Karzai] would fairly easily cut a power-sharing deal with the Taliban if the United States and NATO troops get out of the way." Even if the Afghan people want an agreement with the Taliban, as Simpson notes they might in the second to last paragraph, how is this an argument in favor of withdrawing from Afghanistan? Among other things, they thought they were justified in killing hundreds of American citizens and, while they were in power in Afghanistan, harshly subjugating women.
If the Taliban are such a threat to our safety and the liberty of people in other countries, how would we be addressing this problem if we let them enter into an agreement with the current Afghan government?
I disagree with Isaac on the first point. I think it's important and AWESOME to note that Simpson's primary audience is Iraq opponents. If he doesn't speak, will they just be happy Obama got elected and stop agitating for anything? He's got to get their attention now, even if he can't reach all of America effectively. Besides--more specificity is almost always good in analysis.
ReplyDeleteI do think you could spend a little time on Obama's campaign statement on Afghanistan: in terms of kairos, it's important to note that Simpson is questioning a lot of what Obama said on the campaign trail.
You also need to weave in a quote or two. Analyze word choice or just use them as cases-in-point.
Overall, though, good job.