Due:  Friday, September 13, 2002

1.  Diagram the following argument:

            ¹Any government would be silly to try to interfere with the happiness of its people, so long as they were not interfering with each other's rights.  ²Not only should our government not be silly, but ³the constitution guarantees each person the right to the pursuit of happiness.  Therefore, ⁴each person should have the right to do whatever she pleases, except when she is interfering with the rights of others.  ⁵This right is really vital, so that ⁶it holds even if a person gets her kicks by placing her own life in danger.  Clearly, then, ⁷seat belts ought not be required by law.  ⁸They are expensive, and ⁹if people don't want to buy them, they shouldn't have to.  Also, ¹⁰marijuana ought not to be illegal.

2.  Number and diagram the following argument:

            Recently George Bush pulled a campaign stunt in Boston Harbor, touring the trash and debris there, that adequately demonstrated the power of TV.  Millions of Americans, who are very impressionable, get their only campaign news from the TV.  But unfortunately, this power is being misused.  TV's quest for 30-second "sound bites" shows that they are not interested in the deeper issues.  For example, by continually placing the camera up in the air, TV producers try to make Mike Dukakis, Bush's opponent, look very short.  It is therefore clear that TV coverage of the campaign should be eliminated.  This would also save on plane fares, since they wouldn't have to lug those heavy cameras all around the country.