Week 13: Synthesis - How Thomas L. Friedman Views Society

By observing his column for about a month, one can see that Tom Friedman views society through a largely liberal lens and is particularly interested in international current events, and the impact that these events will have on the future of the world and the future of the US. His ardent support of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and its efforts to work with the Department of Transportation to increase the average mileage made by all cars manufactured by US automakers shows his concern for the state of the current environment, and how he believes that the government should intervene in order to encourage a more 'green' America. This belief is shared by mostly liberals, because many conservatives believe that the US government has no right to 'restrict' private businesses with deals like the one in process between the EPA and the Dept. of Transportation. Tom Friedman also displays a concern for the world as a whole and shows how his views are not always US-centric by discussing the protests in Syria in his column. He discusses the impact that the protests in Syria will have on the stability of it's government, and the potential impact that this could have on the rest of the Middle East (and maybe even the USA). 

Week 12: The Next First (and Only) 100 Days - Thomas L. Friedman, NY Times

This week, Tom Friedman's column discusses the concept of 'The First 100 Days', and the conflicts that the next President will need to address (and hopefully solve) in the next 'First 100 Days'. First off, Tom Friedman mentions the gargantuan job crisis on which the future President will have to focus. He categorizes this crisis into three sub-crises: the crisis that resulted from the drop in consumer demand for goods/services, the crisis that resulted from citizens in long-term unemployment, and the crisis that resulted from I.T. job relocation to countries like India and China. By doing this, Friedman emphasizes the scope and scale of the crisis, and how difficult the resolution of this mega-crisis will be for the next President. To help alleviate this crisis, Friedman suggests the implementation of a short-term stimulus that expands the job markets of the future middle class, which no longer has the jobs in manufacturing American goods to depend upon. He calls upon President Obama and any future Presidents to implement a stimulus focused on 'jobs of the future' and the growth of hubs and networked urban areas.

Source: Friedman, Thomas L. "The Next First (and Only) 100 Days." New York Times. 10 Dec 2011: n. page. Web. 10 Dec. 2011. <http://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/11/opinion/sunday/friedman-the-next-first-and-only-100-days.html?ref=thomaslfriedman>.

Week 11: "This Is a Big Deal" - Thomas L. Friedman, NY Times

This week, Tom Friedman's column discusses the potential impact of the deal between the E.P.A and the Department of Transportation. This deal calls for annual mileage improvements of 5 percent for cars (and about 5 percent for light trucks and S.U.V.'s) until 2025. It also requires that all automobiles made by U.S. automakers must reach an average mileage of 54.5 mpg in 2025. Tom Friedman applauds this step towards making the U.S. more environmentally friendly and the U.S. cars significantly more efficient. He also emphasizes the impact that this deal will have on the U.S.'s energy and environmental agendas, and how this deal will shine a positive light on President Obama (because of his support). Tom Friedman references different  organizations, such as the Global Automakers trade association and the Safe Climate Campaign of the Center for Auto Safety to highlight the positive results this deal encourages. He criticizes the conservatives who are against this deal, emphasizing the negative impact that their anti-E.P.A. efforts had on the US economy and auto industry and sarcastically claiming that their efforts are, "a thing to be proud of."

Source: Friedman, Thomas L. "This Is a Big Deal." New York Times. 04 Dec 2011: n. page. Web. 4 Dec. 2011. <http://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/04/opinion/sunday/friedman-this-is-a-big-deal.html?ref=thomaslfriedman>.

Week 10: "In the Arab World, It’s the Past vs. the Future" - Thomas L. Friedman, NY Times

This week, Tom Friedman's column discusses the situation in Syria (as well as the slew of democratic uprisings in the Middle East). Tom Friedman says that while he deeply admires what the Syrians are protesting against and the bravery they are showing, he is worried that the longer the fighting and protesting is seen in Syria the less likely it is that a stable democratic government will be implemented. The prospect of a civil war in Syria not only promises a bleak future for the country, but it also negatively impacts the surrounding countries, which house many of the same sects and religious groups that Syria contains. He also emphasizes that the 'battle' the Syrians are fighting is quite literally an 'old vs. young'/'modernity vs. tradition'/'lexus vs. olive tree' battle - with the youth fighting for modernity and true democracy - and that we should support them.

Source: Friedman, Thomas L. "In the Arab World, It’s the Past vs. the Future." New York Times. 26 Nov 2011: n. page. Web. 26 Nov. 2011. <http://www.nytimes.com/2011/11/27/opinion/sunday/Friedman-in-the-arab-world-its-the-past-vs-the-future.html?ref=thomaslfriedman>.