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801 Hanover Road DeLand, FL 32724 Phone: (386) 717-8269 E-Mail: joe.w.napier@gmail.com Web: scribd.

com/joewnapier

JOE NAPIER

JOE NAPIER
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Table of Contents
Literature ReviewPages 3-4 Sample Blog Post.Pages 5-6 Generic Memo ...Page 7 Issues Tracking Executive Summary.Pages 8-9 Media Relations Policy..Pages 10-11 Case Brief (Constitutional Law) Pages 12-14 Journal Article Summary.Pages 15-16 Design Sample 1....Page 17 Design Sample 2.Pages 18-19

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Literature Review
Hope, Change, and a Dream Fulfilled Barack Obamas Challenging Rhetoric of Inclusion, and the Unification of America

Introduction
In 2008, Barack Obamas election as president of the United States became arguably one of the most significant milestones in the history of the country. It appeared as though a man of color had united the country historically marred by race relations, and in fact, this mans very identity embodied not only change, but the potential for reconciliation and unity (Toal, 2005, p. 382). The state of racial conflict that had occurred not half a century prior left Obama in delicate rhetorical situations, in which there was possibility for both great unification and inclusion, as well as potential for alienation of large portions of Americans. Therefore the 2008 presidential campaign calls for careful methods of observation regarding how Obamas rhetorical strategy reflected the challenges he was faced with in unifying the country and presenting a campaign of inclusion. Strategies examined in the literature review include the idea of the American Dream, some ways racial barriers were dealt with, and how Obama capitalized on the shortcomings of the previous administration.

Literature Review
One of the keys to Obamas initial nomination as the candidate for the Democratic Party was his ability as an effective orator, which was highlighted by his anti-Iraq war speech in the Fall of 2002, his keynote address prior to the 2004 Democratic National Convention, as well as his victory speech following the Iowa Caucus in 2008 that emphasized American exceptionalism. (Toal, 2009) In the latter two of these speeches, Obamas rhetorical strategies take advantage of his unique ethnic, economic, and cultural background rather than attempting to assimilate himself as average. As Toal (2009) asserts, Obama makes a positive out of a seeming liability by telling his story as a confirmation of the promise of America This self -presentation encapsulates a central aspect of Obamas appeal as a political candidate (p. 379).

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This common ground rhetoric rooted in the idea of the American Dream was especially important following the Bush election in 2004, which Elahi and Cos (2005) claim greatly damaged the American peoples belief in that long-held ideal. Thus through cautious and measured wording, Obama used personal testimony built a basis for his campaign by revisiting an idea of the American Dream that had lain dormant in United States politics for a brief period. Being one of the first Black candidates with a legitimate shot at the presidency provided its own rhetorical opportunities, as well as challenges. Isaken (2011) claimed that Obama dealt with these racial issues in a rhetorically unprecedented way: Obama has not moved from the good Black man position- no, rather, through Critical Race Theory, he has captured a spot in the middle of that vast emptiness, thereby dismantling the bipolar [racial] trap and offering a new position that calmly but substantively addresses racial progress. p.468 Isaken (2011) attributed this, in no small part, to Obamas own journey to find his racial and cultural niche, drifting between black, white, and Hawaiian, while being guided by the writings of Langston Hughes, W.E.B. DuBois, and especially Malcolm X. It was preparations similar to those during his formative years that prepared Obama to handle incidents like when his former pastor, Jeremiah J. Wright Jr., made particularly racially charged comments directed at Hillary Clinton, as well as most of America, and forced Obama to respond in the midst of his campaign. To negotiate these challenges, [Obama] employed a rhetorical strategy that leveraged his unique racial heritage in connection with two compelling themes [of unity and progress] (Dilliplane, 2012, p. 145). Dilliplane (2012) also asserts that Obama not only diffused the situation, but integrated it into his larger rhetorical strategy: It was not an isolated speechit was a beacon moment designed to resonate with overarching campaign themes consistently reiterating who and what Obamas candidacy represented. (p. 146) But going further than accepting race issues as a challenge to be dealt with cooperatively, Brown (2011) states that Obama could be considered an important step towards racial transcendence, claiming, Obamas participation in the US political system provides subtext for the promise of racial inclusion, and hence, for desires to transcend the usual Black/White paradigm (p. 543).

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Sample Blog Post


Spilled milk is a big deal to someone. Posted on February 15, 2012 by joenapierpr

Nobodys perfect. An old adage Im sure we all have heard from many people in many different scenarios all throughout our life. And it doesnt just mean people like you and I arent perfect. Actors, organizations, banks, athletes and (sit down as this might come as a shock) even politicians arent perfect. So what happens when organizations or people in prominent positions make a mistake?

Our reputation precedes us.


For so long public relations practitioners have been seen as spin doctors; people who contort words, leave out facts, or even lie to make an organization not seem as bad as it actually is. While this may be the case with certain professionals in our field, it is certainly not the industry standard. The purpose and goal of public relations is to build, nurture and maintain relationships between an organization and its various publics. Not to sweep dirt under the rug and give pats on the back to our employers or clients. The key is relationships. And how many healthy, successful relationships are built on lies and euphemisms? None. Absolutely zero. Therefore the goal of PR is not to spin, or deceive, or lie, but to be forthright and honest. With honesty comes trust, and with trust comes loyalty.

So why did you tell me all that?


With that said, I will be monitoring the news, keeping an eye out for mistakes and crises, and then evaluating how well the organization at fault communicates their mistakes to the public. This includes how timely that communication is, which mediums they choose to

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convey their message, how honest they are about the situation, as well as what they will do to rectify what they have done. Hopefully this experiment will shed new light on the field of Public Relations, and change the minds of those who have their doubts about what this practical, beneficial and necessary profession is all about.

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Generic Memo
October 5, 2011 I.M. Smart Gulf Coast County School District 123 School St. Gulf Coast, FL 33333

Dr. U.R. Smarter Commissioner of Education 456 Capital Road Tallahassee, FL 44444 Dear Dr. Smarter, The Gulf Coast County School District is pleased to announce that we will be participating in the National School Lunch Program effective for the 2012-2013 school year. We believe this program is a fantastic opportunity to assist students who come from lowincome families by paying for their meals while at school. Our first priority is to give students a high quality education, and to eliminate distractions throughout the day that may impede the learning process. Giving all students an opportunity to get a well-balanced lunch will allow students to better focus on their studies. We do not want cost to determine whether or not a student eats lunch at our schools, as we believe all students have the equal opportunity to an environment conducive to learning, regardless of their households economic situation. Thank you for helping to make this possibility a reality for the students in our district. Sincerely,

I.M. Smart Gulf Coast County School District Superintendent

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Issues Tracking Project Executive Summary


Is SOPA a Government Attempt to Censor the Internet?
The Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA) was a bill proposed to Congress by Representative Lamar Smith (R-Texas) in late October 2011. Most Internet users are aware of the rampant problem that is online piracy, which is the sharing or sales of goods, such as movies, music, or counterfeit products digitally. The bill was intended to protect against copyright and trademark violations and protect those who have the licensing rights to these goods. It allowed for the U.S. government to temporarily or permanently shut down websites that violated these laws, thus preventing search engines and other sites from any promotion or interaction with these offending sites.

Summary of Findings
SOPA was immediately met with strong opposition because of the wide held belief that the bill would effectively allow haphazard, and potentially dangerous censorship of the Internet. Opponents included Google, Facebook, AOL, eBay, LinkedIn, Mozilla, Twitter, Yahoo, Wikipedia, and Zynga. Because of the global nature of the bill, it was also met with strong opposition by the European Parliament and others legislators around the world. SOPA was backed by the Motion Picture Association of America, the Recording Industry Association of America, and others trying to protect owned copyrights. Petitions and oppositions organized at a grassroots level through social networking. o Social media hub Reddit organized a mass exodus of domain names hosted by GoDaddy.com, a SOPA supporter. This resulted in GoDaddy.com losing 72,000 domain names. Bill ultimately pulled in late January 2012. Legislation similar to SOPA such as PIPA, ACTA, and TPP are still being written and proposed to Congress.

Summary of Recommendations
The Internet is a wealth of information, unlike any we have known before. It allows nearly instantaneous access to whatever information one may care to know. It has also only been

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around in the form we know it for approximately twenty years. Because of the extremely young nature of the Internet we do not know fully how it operates or how to manage it, or frankly who should be in charge of doing so. I do not recommend supporting any legislation as extreme as SOPA, as it could result in permanently crippling the Internet and limiting its power and potential permanently. The Internet is a powerful global tool; because of it we are able to witness events like the Arab Spring that occurred in the spring of 2011, in which citizens of several countries were able to rally against oppressive governments successfully. These citizens primary means of organization: social media. We cannot control or regulate something we do not even understand. Stealing is morally wrong, there is no doubt about that, but the Internet is not simply a black-market for stolen property. Endless possibilities and networks are possible because of the Internet, and we must not interfere with it impulsively simply because there is a minor drop in music sales, or because certain copyrights are being violated. In my opinion, if our country feels it has such jurisdiction as to regulate a global network in this way, it is a step towards fascism. Therefore I recommend the continued opposition to any and all legislation that aims to censor the Internet. Implications to such legislation have not been well thought out, and the results of these laws could be disastrous domestically and globally. Please, participate in future blackouts and petitions and stay vigilant against laws that limit the freedom of information.

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Generic Media Relations Policy


Gulf Power Media Relations Policy
Overall Policy Statement
The goal of Gulf Power is to be as transparent as possible to both our customers and the news media. Our primary purpose is to serve our community, and part of our service includes opening the blinds to our organization and keeping all members of our family as informed as possible.

Media Relations Staff


One of the primary functions of our media relations staff is to know the specific functions of each department within Gulf Power, and to be able to effectively communicate this information to the news media, other gulf power employees, and theoretically, anyone on the face of the planet. We aim to be as accessible as possible, and so we have listed the best ways you can contact us. Media Inquiries (reserved for news media only): 1-800-621-6688 Jeff Rogers, Corporate Communications Manager, Designated Spokesperson Office: 850-444-6243, Cell: 850-572-5511 Email: jerogers@southernco.com Natalie Smith, Communications Specialist, Designated Spokesperson Office: 850-444-6784, Cell: 375-6123 Email: ncsmith@southernco.com Customer Inquiries: 1-800-225-5797 For power outages, use our outage line: 1-800-487-6937

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What if I am contacted by a member of the news media?


If a member of the news media contacts you, first check our employee website (www.fakegulfpowerwebsite.com). In the top right corner there is a traffic light: If the light is green, feel free to answer any questions in your area of expertise. If you have limited knowledge on the topic, transfer the inquiry to a more appropriate department, or to Jeff Rogers (ext. 6243) or Natalie Smith (ext. 6784) If the light is red, it means Gulf Power is in the midst of a crisis. In these cases, transfer the inquiry to the media relations office IMMEDIATELY. They will be best equipped to answer questions during these times.

Remember to follow standard-calling procedures as far as notifying appropriate management if you are contacted.

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Case Brief (Constitutional Law)


Myers v. United States 272 U.S. 52,47 S. Ct. 21 (1926) Facts of the Case: In 1920, President Woodrow Wilson ordered the removal of a postmaster in Portland, Oregon named Frank S. Meyers. Meyers, who was removed with four years of his term still remaining, sued in U.S. Claims Court to recover his salary for the rest of his term. He believed he was protected by a statute passed in 1876 that required senatorial consent before the removal of any first-, second-, and third- class postmasters. Myers was ruled against in Claims Court and the manager of his estate then appealed to the Supreme Court, claiming Myers removal was unconstitutional. Legal Questions: 1. Does the President have the exclusive power to remove executive officers under Article II, 1 of the Constitution? Yes 2. Because Article II, 1 requires senatorial consent before appointments, is it also required for removal? No 3. Is the Act of July 12, 1876 constitutional? No 4. Has precedence been established by past rulings of the court? No Holding: The Court ruled 6-3 against Myers. Opinion of the Court: Chief Justice William Howard Taft delivered the opinion of the Court. The Court ruled that in Article II, 1 of the Constitution, the President is granted executive power, i.e. the power and responsibility to execute the law. Granted with this power is the implication that the President selects those who act under him in order to more efficiently and effectively. Another implication is that if his selection of officers is essential to executing the law, then his ability to remove officers is equally essential. These implications are nearly unanimously supported in the 1 Annals of Congress. Regarding the clause in the Constitution requiring senatorial consent with the appointment of new officers: this clause was included to ensure equal representation to smaller states in officer positions, not to give the senate power over every decision made by the executive. As the Constitution reads, powers granted to Congress were specifically enumerated in

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article 1, while specific limitations to presidential power were established in article 2. Therefore, if the power to remove officers was not included in article 1, and not restricted in article 2, then the responsibility to carry out such measures should be defaulted to the executive. Extending the constrictions of the Senate on executive power that are present in article 2 strictly by implication would encroach on the core idea of separation of powers that were purposefully established in the Constitution. Based on this reasoning, the Act of July 12, 1876 was deemed unconstitutional, as it would infer an infringement of the legislative branch on executive power. In regards to precedence, the Court stated that though cases had been ruled on previously (Shurtleff v. U.S. (1903) and Wallace v. U.S. (1922)), a final settlement regarding the removal of officers was never settled on. Dissenting Opinions: Justice McReynolds dissented. His main argument was that the entire premise of the Constitution was that of limited power, and that the powers each branch had were specifically enumerated. He also stated that Congress vested the power pertaining to the appointment and removal of postmasters in the Postmaster General between the years of 1789 and 1836. Justice Brandeis also dissented, asserting that the Court was ruling far too broadly on a narrowly presented question. He inferred that the President had expressly ignored the provision prescribing the conditions of removal for this particular case, and that previous Presidents had great respect for these provisions. Brandeis also disagreed with the Courts statement regarding separation of powers. He stated that the primary role of separation of powers was not to create autonomous branches, but to preclude the exercise of arbitrary power. The final dissent came from Justice Holmes. He stated simply that since Myers office (and that of post offices everywhere) was a creation of Congress, jurisdiction of that area should be vested in Congress alone. Evaluation: I agree with the position of the court. I believe if Congress presided over the removal of every officer then expedience would be sacrificed to a great degree. Also the removal was not arbitrary, nor carried out by the President. The President gave orders to remove the officer to the Postmaster General, who could have refused if he felt it prudent.

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The idea of executive power is that one person, elected under the pretense that he is working towards the best interest of the people, can make minor decisions more efficiently and effectively than an open forum with hundreds of representatives are able to. I do not believe executive power should be unlimited, but in the case of the removal of postmasters I have no problems.

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Journal Article Summary (Political Psychology)


Value Differentiation Between Enemies and Allies: Value Projection in National Images
Summary:
This study focused on value projection between Palestinians, Israelis, Americans, and Swiss in the context of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. It examined how each target groups relationship with the rater group influenced value projection, rather than only examining the ally-enemy relationships. However, the defining focus of the article, and one that differentiates it from previous studies, was the examination of how similar or dissimilar any given groups self-perception of values was in relation to other groups perceptions of the target group in ally, enemy, and various third-party roles (i.e. ally of the enemy, or enemy of the ally).

Major Arguments in the Lit Review:


The researchers were anticipating higher projection of values between allied groups, and lower projection of values (either neutral or negative) between enemies and neutral groups. They expected this because of the historical context of the relationships between different groups. The researchers also acknowledged that groups were not limited just to ally, enemy, or third party groups. They delved further into image theory and examined the possibility that the groups involved may be perceived as barbarian, imperialist, or colony groups as well. Another important assertion stated in the literature review involved the concept of ethnocentrism. The two most important claims regarding this concept were that people assume groups they belong to have a higher status than groups they belong to, and secondly, that people use the standards of their own group to judge other groups, rather than considering that other groups may operate using a completely different scale.

Dependent Variable:
The dependent variable was the degree of image projection between groups, and which qualities each group perceived themselves and other groups to possess.

Independent Variable:
The independent variable was each groups relationship with one another in the context of the conflict (i.e. enemy, ally, neutral, etc.).

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Method of Inquiry:
The sampling frame included students from universities in each of the countries (groups) studied. They were given a questionnaire which measured their own values, what they perceived the values of a typical member of their own group to be, and what they perceived that values of a typical member of another specific group(s) to be. Which perceived values they ranked depended on the nationality of the student taking the survey.

Plans for Future Research:


The researchers claim that communicating to enemy groups that third parties do not project the same values on each group that they project on each other may help a mediation process, or at least make groups more open to it, and also may help enemy groups empathize with the situation of one another.

References:
Eicher, V., Pratto, F., & Wilhelm, P. (2013). Value Differentiation Between Enemies and Allies: Value Projection in National Images. Political Psychology, 34(1), 127-144. doi:10.1111/j.1467-9221.2012.00930.x

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Design Sample 1

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Design Sample 2

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