Hypersyllogistic

syl·lo·gism: a subtle or crafty argument; deductive reasoning

Jason's Writings

Writing is amongst my favorite pastimes. Nothing satisfies me more than transcribing my thoughts and feelings onto paper (or into a word processor) for all the world to see. In that spirit, below you'll find links to some of my columns, essays, and other works.

Here shall appear columns and rants that debuted on the front page of my old web site, Jason Vines's Web Domain.

• What Should be Common Sense... (October 2002)

The Terrace Scroll is the official student newspaper of my former high school, Belleville East. I was an assistant editor for the Terrace Scroll during my junior year, and during my senior year, I was editor-in-chief. Aside from editing and laying out the newspaper each month, I also wrote columns about the topics of my choice. (Please forgive my naivete in supporting President George W. Bush back then. :P )

• The Importance of the Political Process (October 2000)

• Nursing Homes Neglect Elderly (November 2000)

• Gore Plots to Steal Election (December 2000)

• Clinton Finally Leaves Office (February 2001)

• Entertainment Industry Does Not Create Teen Killers (March 2001)

• Bush IQ Greater Than Perceived (April 2001)

• SAT Sparks Criticism (May 2001)

• Is Michael Jackson Guilty? (November 2001)

• Gun Control Will Solve Nothing (April 2002)

The toughest writing class at Belleville East was Honors Writing Skills, a one-semester course for seniors. My teacher, Mrs. Misselhorn, challenged students to produce their very best work (challenge might be a bit of an understatement). These are the results.

• Personal Essay: An Incredibly Valuable, Absolutely Worthless Newspaper (September 2001)

• A Response to H. L. Mencken's "The Penalty of Death" (September 2001)

• A Response to Joan Didion's "On Morality" (November 2001)

• The Proper Role of the American Military (November 2001)

• Bad Essay: To Bathe or Not to Bathe? (December 2001)

• Literary Essay: A Sick Town (December 2001)

Here's a collection of writings I've completed for courses at George Washington University.

• Campaigns and Elections - Does Scandal Matter?

• Classical Islamic Literature - Thus Spoke Zoroaster

• English Civil War - Hugh Peters, a Puritan Preacher

• English Composition - The Fighting Doctor

• International Political Relations - Whom are We Fighting: Muslim Civilization or Muslim Terrorists?

• Judicial Politics - A Paper on Oral Arguments for United States v. Navron Ponds before D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals

• Military Force and Foreign Policy - The Rise of the Vulcans Paper

• Military Force and Foreign Policy - Neo-Containment for a Nuclear Iran

• Western Political Thought - A Paper on Machiavelli's The Prince

• Western Political Thought - A Paper on Tocqueville's Democracy in America

Poking fun at nonsensical traditions and egomaniacal politicians is one of my favorite hobbies.

• A Poem: I Hate Poetry

• Ashcroft Announces Sky is Blue

• House Votes to Establish Church; Politicians Defend Constitutionality

• The Ultimate Church of Shatnerology