Earlier this semester, I asked you to track your media intake and reflect on what media means to your life. With few exceptions, students reported that media plays an important role. Now, I want you to attempt to go through an entire 24-hour period without willfully consuming media. In other words, I’m asking you to go on a media fast. That may be difficult in the context of a global pandemic, but you may also find it refreshing to get away from the 24-hour news cycle. I realize that it may not be possible to cut yourself off from media completely for 24 hours. I am not asking you to flake out on online classes, so this isn't a valid excuse to skip reading assignments. I am, however, asking you to make a realistic effort to live media-free for a day. So, pick a day that you think this is feasible and do the best you can. You have until April 18 to complete the fast and the written portion of this assignment, so plan ahead. BLOG POST After you have completed your Media Fast, I want you to write a 300-400 reflection on the experience. Tell me what it was like to go without media. How did it change your life? Was it unbearable? Was it refreshing? Was relaxing with something other than a book or Netflix or Instagram a foreign experience? Did you feel out of the loop? Do you want to live your life differently after this experience or is it back to media as usual? This assignment is worth 30 points, and you will receive full credit if you meet the assignment requirements. Lisa Randoll 4/22/2019 American Government Professor Randoll Aroooooo! The Beagle Party What’s that I smell? Why, the newest and greatest political party around – the Beagle Party! With humble beginnings in my master Charlie Brown’s yard, I, Snoopy, have decided that my kind have a lot to contribute in this great country of ours, and I and my fellow beagle buddies (tri-colored, lemon, copper rose, and pocket all included) have decided that the time to get involved in our country’s future is now. Platform There are a plethora of issues that my canine comrades view as immeasurably important. These include environmental protection, a higher emphasis on education, the right to be respected – no matter how different you appear, and the importance of innovation in the workplace. The Environment Beagles are natural hunters, so we spend most of our free time outside, following our nose (and let’s be real – oftentimes, getting in trouble). Unfortunately, however, the ‘wilderness’ that we beagles used to chase rabbits in is slowly disappearing. It’s being replaced by apartment complexes and supermarkets. The fields that used to hold thousands of tasty rabbits are now full of questionably dressed Walmart shoppers. And what’s more – the wilderness that IS left is being allowed to be tainted by toxins destroyed by developers. The Beagle Party believes that nature is beautiful and beneficial. Being out in the wild enables beagles (and people) to escape the hustle and bustle o ...