Blog Entry – Extra Credit – Michael Moore = Take him or Leave Him?

When Michael Moore’s name is mentioned, people usually say: Oh, he’s a ______ (fill in the blank with any negative word or comment you can think of)!

But, why? Don’t get me wrong. I am one of those who feels he is a ______ and an _________.. But folks, controversy sells. Being the minority gets attention! And, he has made a great living at doing just that.

We love to hate Michael Moore. But, why?

Because he is saying what the liberals, democrats, himself, want to say!

So, is there some validity to his scripts/movies/rants? Yes. But, he’s so focused on the “scare tactics” and WOW moments, it isn’t presented in the way that we usually accept this type of information. And, he blatantly disrespected the President of our country on national TV and we, as a nation, told Michael Moore: “I’m sorry!”

But, why? I ask you. Why? Because he tells the truth? What truth? According to Who? According to Michael Moore!

And, we his faithful audience believes what he is saying simply because he puts some facts behind it.

So, let’s take a look at those facts:

1. Are they verifiable and valid facts? Are those facts used within the context that they were originally written for?

2. Do they prove for or go against Liberals/Democrats? Do they prove for or go against Conservatives/Republicans?

3. Where/How does Michael Moore obtain his information?

Based on those three questions alone, we can prove his motivation and his ulterior motive!

KEY POINTS:

Michael Moore has written 16 movies, directed 17 movies and produced 18 movies.

His most notorious movies are: Bowling for Columbine, Fahrenheit 911, Sicko and Capitalism: A Love Story.

Moore’s standpoint in the documentary of Bowling for Columbine was that of America’s fascination with gun violence.

Moore’s standpoint in the documentary of Fahrenheit: 911, was that President Bush utilized the events of 9/11 to push his desire to invade Afghanistan and Iraq.

Moore’s standpoint in the documentary of Sicko was the comparisons of the American Health Industry with that of other countries and HMO’s.

Moore’s standpoint in the documentary of Capitalism: A Love Story, was the social costs ofr Corporations receiving their profits at the demise of the public.

Most recently, Moore did a stand-up show, called Michael Moore in Trumpland. The entire focus of this film was to promote Hillary Clinton’s campaign in the center of a locale he calls “Trumpland.”

The only thing that I can see as a tie between all of these films is controversy. So, no matter what the topic is, it appears Michael Moore enjoys creating controversy and exploiting topics that can potentially divide Americans.

I suppose there is an audience for this type of hype and behavior. However, if you are going to get on the “Moore” bandwagon, please be sure to check his references and facts. Moore is kind of like the media, he’s become very good at editing the information to provide you with a piece of the information, not the whole truth!

Non-Fiction or Michael Moore Fiction???

That question remains to be answered!

Blog Entry #4 - The Educated Student or the UN-Educated Student?

OK, that didn’t sound right; I mean it’s a bit of a rhetorical question, right?

If we’re talking about students, they ARE educated, or aren’t they?!?

I suppose it’s what you consider a “student.” Technically, we are all students, right? Okay, I really didn’t want you to answer that because; of course the answer is a resounding YES! My dad is 91 years old and guess what? He’s still a student! I know, you’re yelling at my blog saying, “NO WAY!” YES WAY! From the moment of conception (ask me later about that!) until the day we graduate to a different life (no matter your belief about death, when we die we all graduate to a different life) we are constantly learning. 

So, the real question is: Are you pushing yourself daily to learn? If the answer is NO, then you should be!

Just last week, my dad was asking me how we could see my husband on my phone “live” when my husband was in Jordan and we were in Arizona. Simple answer, modern technology. It was hard for him to conceptualize that a phone could do that. But, at 91 years old, he learned something!

Now, I know what you’re saying, ‘Melinda, everyone knows that we learn that kind of stuff, but what are you really referring to?’ Well, I’m glad you asked (or was it me who asked? No, telepathically you asked me)!

Easy answer: Live and Learn. We’ve all heard that old adage. But, have you ever thought about what it really means? Well, you live through experiences and ultimately, you learn from those experiences. In that definition, experience is your teacher. But, are you willing to be the student and learn the lesson it taught you?

How about this Live and Learn moment…In a conversation among your family, your brother says: “If you want to figure out your total income for tax purposes, you will have to extrapolate the information.” And, you’re like: ‘What? Hold up! What was that extra-baloney word he just used?’ Okay, truth time! That really happened to me; of course I was too embarrassed at the time to ask what it meant. So, I did like any good listener does and nodded my head in understanding. The minute he wasn’t looking, you know I looked that word up!

WOW! Just having a regular family conversation, I learned something. And, you know what? I will never forget that word again. In fact, I try to use it when I’m attempting to impress people! Mind you, this word came from my double Master’s degree brother. But, because I chose to learn something, I sound intelligent too, well kinda'.

I guess my point is, we learn our whole lives. How much MORE we choose to learn is up to us. I don’t know about you, but I enjoy learning. When I’m pushed to learn, I do it kicking and screaming. In general though, I do enjoy learning something new.

Melinda's Final Thought….(crowd cheering in the background: Melinda! Melinda! Melinda!) 

No matter what, we are ALL students. We learn every moment that we are alive.

Are you going to choose to be an Educated Student or an UN-Educated Student?

I don’t know, Educated just sounds more scholarly, right?!? Happy Learning!

Blog Entry #3 – REALLY? According to WHO’s Viewpoint?

WARNING: Do NOT continue reading if you are easily offended by liberal reporting!

YES, this blog will be controversial. YES, this subject is risky! And, YES, I am going to provide an opinion about it!

However, I am not going to discuss my personal stance on politics or what I think about the current election. Surprised?!? Don’t be! I simply would like to discuss slanted reporting.

By definition, Slanted Reporting means:  

1.  (Verb) “…to distort (information) by rendering it unfaithfully or incompletely, especially in order to reflect a particular viewpoint:  He slanted the news story to discredit the Administration” (“slant”) 

2. (Verb)   “…to write, edit, or publish for the interest or amusement of a specific group of readers:  a story slanted toward young adults” (“slant”).

Here is a video that outright says it’s skewed, WATCH…Amazing!!!

And I quote from the video:

WOLF BLITZER (CO-HOST): You've got the results of our poll that was taken in the aftermath of this debate.

DAVID CHALIAN: I do, and we've done this before, so let me just give a few cautionary notes about the poll. It is a poll of debate watchers, and so in our sample, this is a more Clinton-friendly audience. Those that tuned in tonight was (sic) a more Clinton-friendly audience.

…[The poll sample] definitely skews Democratic, more Democratic than a normal poll. And it skews to a Hillary Clinton audience. So keep that in mind as we now will reveal to you who won the debate according to this audience. Overwhelmingly Hillary Clinton. Sixty-two percent of Americans, of those that watched the debate tonight in this audience (sic) said Hillary Clinton won compared to 27 percent who said Trump won. Again, this is of debate watchers and our sample definitely is more Democratic than a normal poll. But that is an overwhelming victory among these debate watchers we polled for Hillary Clinton.

WOW! Right?!? Or No!?! 

Not only is the poll not even factual, but they blatantly say the poll is skewed, YET people choose to believe what has been posted. Why? Why this immediate belief in something that has to have a “disclosure?” If something has a disclosure, for example when applying for a credit card they give you all those terms and conditions and show that you “accept” the terms and conditions. 

Why? Because it is a law. Any credit card company has to disclose their terms for you having their credit card. Such as the interests rates they are charging you, etc. So, disclosures are HUGE and very important information for us to be aware of. Like, “don’t forget to read the small print.”

So, knowing all of this and having slanted reporting with disclosures, why as a society is slanted reporting still allowed? For the very reason, that people watch it! Because we all have different opinions and different media venues appeal to different people. Same as different types of reading appeals to different readers.

Ask yourself, if you were to relax by reading, would you pick up…

A Magazine?                                   A Book?

Why?

And, that magazine or book, is it slanted for you? YES, of course! That magazine is slanted towards young women and that book is slanted towards people who enjoy easy reading romances or love stories. It’s the rhetoric or audience that they are attempting to appeal to.

Is it necessarily wrong? No! But, being informed and being aware that you are listening to slanted reporting from a certain bias, makes you an informed person. And, being informed is being prepared for life!

Reference

“slant”. Dictionary.com Unabridged. Random House, Inc. 14 Nov. 2016. <Dictionary.com http://www.dictionary.com/browse/slant>.

Blog Entry #2 = College? But, WHY????

Ok, I promised you that I was going to make my Blogs personal, right? Yet, I still want to keep it interesting, engaging and honest for a diverse audience. So,why did I choose this blog to be about College? Because, I wanted to share with all of you, the experiences and opportunities that having a College Degree can offer.

May, 2016

My husband, Ma’moun, finished his enrollment process for his Master’s degree. And, began his first class towards his Master’s in Public Administration with a concentration in Government policies. WOW! My husband, who has his Bachelor’s in English Literature from Jordan AND English is his SECOND language is going for his Master’s?  

"Really, Melinda???"  

"Really, you don't have your college degree?"

REALITY HIT!!!

Flash forward…..August 2016

I did my “due diligence,” went over all the possible degrees that I could do that would be quick & give me a degree. Okay, unfair advantage. I have taken college classes since the 90's off and on over the years. So, an Associate’s degree was the quickest and easiest way to get a degree under my belt!

Now, I had to decide WHAT area of study? 

So, I looked at what do I enjoy? Well, that list was lengthy! 

Radiology

Computer Tech 

Money, Management, Power, Wealth, Authority, to be RICH! 

Okay, back to reality, but….

How could I make a decision when I had so many interests & so many generic courses that I had taken? 

I questioned myself some more. WHY do I need a college degree? I have so much job experience in training and leadership, why do I need a degree?

That's when it came to me! My experience was in the business world. 

Management, Leadership and Training

Let’s look at some facts:

1 = According to statistics, and Entrepreneur.com/article/271206, in 2014 the Economic Policy Institute stated that those with a college degree earned 98% more per hour than those with no degree.

What The …? That stopped me cold in my tracks! That’s money that I’m leaving on the table, just because I’m not a college grad? Oh, NO WAY!

But wait….there’s more!!!!

2 = With a college degree, you are immediately more marketable. 

Say What??? You mean, I have more than 20 years customer service experience and Anthony “Associate Degree” Recent Graduate is going to get more interviews and more opportunities because he finished school??? Oh, "H - E - Double Toothpicks", No! I am NOT going to let that happen.

The Present…October 2016

Per my husband encouraging me, my family supporting me and my own commitment, I decided to go back to school and complete my Associate’s degree. I narrowed the choices down based on my work experience. 

It’s true I have over 20 years customer service, call center and management experience behind me. So, I chose an Associates of Applied Science in Organizational Management with a concentration in Organizational Leadership.

As of May 2017, with a little more encouragement, a lot more support and an even bigger commitment, I plan to be a proud Alumni of Glendale Community College with my experience and college degree in hand!

Do you NEED a College Degree????  NAHHHHH

Do you WANT to make more Money?????  YEAHHHHHH

A College Degree will help you to attain ALL of your goals!

Including the intangible benefits, like….having access to some great resources, gaining knowledge, and the benefit of learning a life lesson about self-discipline!

By the way, my husband, the "Master's Degree" student, just received his membership to the United Nations - USA, Scottsdale, Arizona chapter. Why am I telling you this? Because this is kudos to his college, Grand Canyon University, his program  in Public Administration and his pushy wife who won't stop promoting her husband to be the best!

So, College? Yeah! Do it! Make a change TODAY for your FUTURE!!! 

It may have taken me from 1990 to 2017 to get an Associate's degree,

at least I can say...

"Yo, Ma'moun!  

I DID IT!"

Blog Entry #1 - Blogging, What? How? Why? What????

So, I thought to myself...'What is blogging? How is it done? Why do people blog? What is a blog for?' Instead of researching these questions and keeping them to myself, I decided to share it with my blogging audience.

I took the opportunity to review a few different blogs just to get an idea of "who" is the blogging audience and what do they yearn for. 

Hence, I consulted the Top 50 Blogger Blogs list and here's what I came up with…

#1 on the Blogger’s Blog list is:  http://postsecret.com/

What is Post Secret?  Well, the blog's readers send in their secrets via a postcard and once a week on Sunday’s, the blogger reveals those secrets.

Interesting concept! Imaginative? Yes.  

New Concept? Kind of.  

Ingenuitive? Not really.  

But, still holds number one? Why??? 

After reviewing some of the posts, I realized that this a place where anyone can send in their thoughts and won’t be judged for it. 

Now that, IS AWESOME! And, if it truly is a “secret,” ONLY the Blogger could possibly know the author of the secret! AMAZING! 

That concept surely deserves a #1 spot in my book! And, the best part? There is no demographic on who these blog posts would appeal to. There are blogs of all different types on there. So, anything goes! EXCELLENT!!!

#5 on the list: americablog.com

What is America Blog? 

They simply say: NEWS – A GREAT NATION DESERVES THE TRUTH.

I simply say: ACCORDING TO WHO? 

But, instead of being the pessimist, I decided to give it a chance and read on.  So, I peruse the page and scroll down and guess what? Almost all of the stories were Pro-Hillary and Anti-Trump. That means, the part of the population that loves Hillary, will love these posts and the other part of the population that loves Trump, will hate these posts!

Can ANYONE tell me how this is “THE TRUTH” for our “GREAT NATION?” 

As I stated from the beginning, the truth according to “WHO???”

This website is #5 because of what reason? Who chose that slot? If it were up to me, I would call this blog: Bias America Blog! Call it what it is! So those who agree with YOUR “truth” will be happy to read YOUR blogs! Don’t just lie to people! 

Don’t mean to get on a rant here, but as you can see, this particular blog struck an emotional nerve within me. And then it comes to me, that’s why they made the Top Ten list. 

Purely because they are controversial and can cause a multitude of emotions to erupt within their readers! GENIUS, LOVE IT!!!

#50 on the list: riverbendblog.blogspot.com/

It's called: Baghdad Burning. 

They don’t have the actual web address on the blogger’s top 50 list, so after I did a quick “Google” search, I came up with the above web address.

The opening line of this blog reads:

... I'll meet you 'round the bend my friend, where hearts can heal and souls can mend...

Interesting words for a controversial blog name. Controversial, because of Iraq.  For example, what are your immediate thoughts or feelings when you think about Baghdad? Controversy? Unrest? Political Land Mine? War? Muslims? Saddam Hussein? Just a multitude of thoughts are associated with Baghdad, Iraq.

Call me "interested!" I peruse the page and immediately notice the last time this blogger wrote anything was in April of 2013. And, it still manages to make a Top 50 Blogger’s list? 

WHY??? I had to know!

Then, in a moment, it all becomes clear. This was a moment to moment blog from a young Iraqi woman, back in 2003 when war was rampant in Iraq. Why was the last blog in April of 2013? 

{Information is taken directly from Baghdad Burning Blog}

Tuesday, April 09, 2013
 Ten Years On...April 9, 2013 marks ten years since the fall of Baghdad. Ten years since the invasion. Since the lives of millions of Iraqis changed forever. It’s difficult to believe. It feels like only yesterday I was sharing day to day activities with the world. I feel obliged today to put my thoughts down on the blog once again, probably for the last time.

She wrote one more blog post, one decade, 10 years after she started her post. This last entry made her ordeal come full circle. I actually, as the reader, was so engaged in her last post that I found myself reading and reading. Line after line. I was engaged. I was intrigued. I was interested in her story. This to me, was worthy of a Number One Blog spot. Why? Because this blogger, author, didn’t care who her audience was. She wasn’t trying to impress anyone with “ah-ha” moments or let’s start a fight by being controversial. She was just herself, telling a story, and writing a conclusion to her life in Baghdad! Her personal essay. 

And, to me, THAT is what blogging is all about!

Even though blogging takes on different forms and attracts all different types of readers. For me, I choose to make my blog be: Pianti Rising! 

The Life, Times and Experiences of ME - Pianti!

Introduction Entry - A New Beginning!

Melinda Piantedosi Family Collage

Thought I would share a quick video about myself and my family.

Here's a little more formal introduction of me:

My name is Melinda Piantedosi. I just recently finished the English 101 hybrid class. I enjoyed it and look forward to this English 102 class.

Quick background, I'm originally from Michigan, lived in Arizona over 20 years. So, technically, almost a native Arizonian. Many hot summers later, my husband and I have promised to not suffer through another summer again, yet here we are!

I'm taking English 102 to complete my General Education requirements to complete my A.A.S. in Organizational Management. If all goes well, I should be graduating in May 2017. My hope is to utilize this degree to move into a Corporate Trainer position.

I did have the opportunity to create this Blog in my English 101 class. My hope for this class is that this Blog will allow me to focus more on formal writing. Even though a blog is meant to be from a casual/professional perspective, I would like to lean more towards the professional aspect.

Thank you for reading my blog & hope to keep things interesting in future blogs!

Entry #11 - "I remember when..."

The date is Tuesday, October 13, 2026; you’re at Starbucks sipping on a chai tea latte with 11 Splenda and more creamer than tea. You look around for a place to sit. At first, you notice some tables and chairs in the middle and a long bench with cushions and smaller tables off to the side. Over there by the door are the perfect super cozy chairs, however there's only four of them and they are all taken. You sigh, and walk over to the long bench and grab a table. Your laptop bag, Chai Tea Latte and your purse stake claim to that table! You have now said to all those inside that Starbucks, this is MY throne. I will sit here for several hours, doing “hard time,” while jailed inside this Starbuck’s restaurant.

Pulling out your tablet, you get connected to the Wi-Fi and pull up chrome to do a Google search. Ding! “You have a memory on Facebook with Melinda Piantedosi.” Out of curiosity, you pull up Facebook to see the memory. As you reflect on that memory from so long ago, it brings with it a mix of many feelings. Exactly 10 years ago today, you posted to Facebook a blog from your blogger account. You remember that day so well…

(Flashback to 10/13/2016)…What a day! You woke up with your nose running like it was in the Olympics.Your husband just left the day before to go and visit his family for a month. Your elderly father just turned 91 a couple of months prior and you realize he’s slowing down with each passing day. The feelings inside of you well up and create an anxiety about completing several assignments for school by 11:59pm. One of the “biggies” on your To-Do list is writing Blog #11 that will bring all of your blogs together and reflect upon them. ‘What to do? What to do?’ you think.  A reflective essay, “what did I learn from blogging?” you ask yourself, barely audible so others around you won’t hear. Well, it was an interesting and educational experience that you may never have tried if you weren’t required to. At first, you are thinking, ‘I’ve got to get a good grade!’ You had maintained an “A” the entire semester and because of a couple of missed assignments, you’ve fallen to a “B.” “This is it! Make it count, Melinda!” you say loud enough for those around you to hear. You look around and only a couple of the Starbuck's zombies, like yourself, look at you with dismay. Then it happens, you start to type…

Blogging for dummies! 

I can proudly say, I have passed the “Blogging for dummies” task. Having never been a blogger before, this was a unique and challenging assignment. I used to think that blogging was only for those who needed blogging as a way of venting their feelings. However, what I found was so much more! With strong stable research and an interesting topic, blogging is any type of communication tool you choose it to be. From pictures and videos to web links and reference materials, blogging covers them all. So, my audience, my peers, my acquaintances, and my strangers, I welcome you to the interesting and ever-changing world of blogging.  Blogging also encompasses reading and critiquing blogs of those within our class, I learned that blogging can be very personal. Not only as a means to an end, but a real opportunity to share and learn all at the same time. I’ve had the opportunity to share a lot, as well as learn a lot. I believe I have changed my viewpoint on blogging forever. No longer will I stereotype or pretend to know what blogging is or means to any other person, except me! I leave you with my final thoughts, these you are reading now. My final “required – graded” blog. I may never open this application again, or visit this page ever again, but I promise you that when I read a blog or write for any other purpose, I will keep this style of blogging at the forefront. My conclusion from these blogging assignments? Everyone has a voice, YOU choose how you want to be heard!

You are instantly brought back to the present just from those powerful words! Your eyes leave that page, that memory, for only a brief moment and look around you. You don’t see a coffee shop filled with Starbuck's zombies who are just trying to finish their work. What you see are individuals all “blogging” to achieve their goals. No matter the content or the reason, you realize, we all blog in different ways EVERY SINGLE DAY!

Click! You post that memory and simply write "Happy 10 –year Anniversary, Blogging! I have missed you for a decade, but I will NEVER miss you again!" (Piantedosi)

Blog Entry #12 – “A New Start!”…

Works Cited

Piantedosi, Melinda. Personal interview. 13 October 2026.