Quadre Eaton

Professor Sipin
English 211C
12 February 2015
Rhetorical Analysis Paper
When we dive deep into this article, we can see that it does a good job in buffering
President Obamas claim that people of any faith have done wrongful acts for the sake of what
they believe. The context of this article is just that of a response. This article was in response to
the criticism that President Obama received on social media regarding the comments during
National Prayer Breakfast on the fifth of February in 2015. We will talk about Jay Michaelsons
article, and why its structure is Toulmin. Extremism has an important role to play in this article.
Also, sometimes history can repeat itself, whether we know it or not. All in all, I believe
that this article is successful because it makes us really think, is our religion any better.
First, lets analyze the Washington Post article and find out why the structure is Toulmin.
It gives us the claim, which President Obama is saying that we all have committed shameful
crimes for the sake of what we believe in. Rebuttals are also included in this article. Plus, this is
where the appeal to ethos comes into play. For example, we have Michael Graham saying that
President Obama threw Christians under the bus. Also, there is some evidence to back up what
President Obama is saying. It talks about the Crusades and the horrible extremes certain people
in this world will go to just to prove a point.

The act of extremism has existed throughout our nations history. It still exists in our
society as we speak right now. Now, extremism when people think that their religion or
beliefs/values are justified above all others. Going back to the Crusades, the article goes into
very good detail about what occurred during that time period. During that time the Crusaders
executed innocent people.
For example, it talks about the Rhineland Massacres of 1096. Five thousand people of
Jewish communities were taken out. In the Inquisition, good people were being executed and
tortured. An estimated one hundred and fifty thousand were put to trial. Three thousand of those
souls were taken out. The method of execution was a nightmare when you really think about it.
Plus, who could forget the Ku Klux Klan. As we all know the Ku Klux Klan, or KKK,
believed in white supremacy. Their acts consisted of burning the cross, lynching, and committing
arson. All of these things, from the Crusaders, Inquisition, and Ku Klux Klan, tie back into the
logos of this article. That is the fact the extremism is dangerous, and it is the real enemy to all of
us in this world.
Speaking of history, the expression, history can repeat itself is true in some ways. Can
extremism run rampant like it was back then? To me, in my opinion, it cannot. However, whos
to say that there arent any extremists out there in the world who will not take it into their own
hands. Another question is this, Can extremists, in todays society, exploit the Christian faith for
the good of the few? Or can the Christian faith be taken advantage of for the good of opinions?
In conclusion, this essay has talked about the Washington Post article, Was Obama right
about the Crusades and Islamic Extremism? The structure of the article, and why it fit under the
Toulmin category was discussed. It also entailed the concept of extremism and the bleak,

disturbing background of it throughout the existence of our world. Plus, it also talked about
extremism and how it exist it sometimes can rear its ugly head in todays world. To me, I believe
that this article was a success.
The reason for that is because it stated the claim, gave detailed evidence, and gave
opposing view from people on the other side of the coin. The thing that I, personally, obtain from
this article is that it is perfectly okay to believe what you believe. However, it is not okay to force
feed your faith to other human beings. Some people might agree with what you have to say. On
the other hand, a different set of people might have a difference of opinion to your particular
religion.
Thats okay, because its always okay to disagree. Disagreement is good because it gives
you the opportunity to see where another person is coming from. Not only that, but you learn
certain things from people that you yourself did not know once upon a time.