Self Analysis

When I was first assigned to create a blog covering a political issue for the upcoming election, I had a mixed emotions, most of which were negative. I was almost clueless as to what the purpose of a blog exactly was, and what opinions I had about blogs were negative (Purpose of Blogs). I thought blogs were pointless and a waste of time. On top of that, I really had no interest in either candidate running in this upcoming election, so I had no interest in blogging about a political issue (Presidential Comparison). Nonetheless, I started blogging about how airport security has been improved and is still improving as a result of the terrorist attacks of 9-11 (9-11).When I told people what I was blogging about, they often ask me why I chose this particular issue. I chose to blog about this issue because I find the thought of a repeat of 9-11 to be one of my biggest fears, and I believe I can provide valuable feedback dealing with this issue.

When I first started this project, I felt like any type of advancement in airport security was a positive factor for our country (Body Scanning Technology). Improving airport security makes the potential passenger feel much safer and protected. The new technology is so advanced, it can detect almost any possible threat (TSA Technology). However, through extensive research, my opinion about airport security has started to fade away from my perspective of it being one hundred percent positive. There is one factor that makes it not one hundred percent positive, and that is the impact of the struggling economy (Economic Crash). With the economy on the downfall, I started to understand that technologically advancing our airport security was not one of the top issues to spend money on (Schneier). New advancements in airport security have and will continue to cost our country billions of dollars (Money Spent). This is money that should be spread out through our economy to try and get back a more consistent money flow through our markets. On top of that, technologically advancing airport security would more than likely cut the number of jobs. What job was once occupied by a human would now be done by a machine. The last thing our falling economy needs is increasing unemployment (unemployment rates).

After completing this project, I feel as if I am stuck in between "a rock and a hard place." Every person would like to do away with their greatest fears, and for those people who are scared to board a plane due to 9-11, they would more than likely feel safer if the government would continue to improve airport security (Fear of Flying). On the other hand, my father is a Dentist, and going to the dentist is one of the first things unemployed people cut out of their regular routine.

Completing this project has increased my ability to think analytically and extensively. I have learned that almost all political issues can connect to all other political issues in some way. I have also become more appreciative of blogs and their purpose. I now better understand the positions of presidential candidates for the upcoming election, and can now vote intellectually. I like blogging often forces someone to critically think about their issue, and I hope to continue to blog about other issues.