78 5. Argumentative Essay Sample with Research
Here is another argumentative essay that uses research for support. For your assignment, you will have to include information from other sources.
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Bugs Bunny’s Glaring Weaknesses
Bugs Bunny has always been a favorite of mine. He is clever, cute and consistently comical. But there is one thing about Bugs that has annoyed me for decades: his negative reference to the medical community. Bugs Bunny should not be allowed to use the phrase, “Ahhhh, what’s up Doc?” simply for a comedic response.
For one thing, the medical profession of late has taken a dramatic hit in public relations. While doctors’ offices continue to struggle with meeting their financial obligations, the general public continues to misguidedly believe doctors are making more money than they can spend. When Bugs Bunny makes light of this profession, it only strengthens the public’s negative viewpoints. It only adds to the ridicule that each doctor has to face every time a patient comes into the examination room. Can you imagine how distressing it would be for a hard-working professional to here “Ahhhh, what’s up Doc?” every time he or she greets a new patient?
According to Bob Watson, professor of Unusual Sayings at Blockbuster University, the term “What’s up Doc?” can be dangerously undermining. If used improperly, a doctor can begin to suppress inner resentment, which can become an unhealthy behavior, or – even worse – can resort to outward aggression toward the patient, Watson believes (49).
Also, the term itself suggests that doctors lack intelligence. It is obvious that the phrase is meant to identify the sarcastic personality of Bugs Bunny, but it also shows a lack of intelligent communication. An educated rabbit would be more likely to state the phase in a manner appropriate with the situation: “Is there something wrong, Doctor?” Physicians spend a lot of time, money and effort into extensive educations to prepare them for the grinding career in health care. To suggest that they are illiterate buffoons is a disservice that must be halted.
Gordie Little has done extensive research on the correlation between doctor-patient relations. His efforts have shown that patients do lose their respect and trust when they believe their patients are unintelligent:
The matter of the fact is that doctors take a major beating when patients turn on them because of false understanding. When a patient’s trust is lost, that patient will become antagonist and hesitant to seek care from the physician any longer. (C7)
The misuse of language in medicine is another major problem with this phrase. By calling a physician “Doc,” we are using an inaccurate description, something that needs to be avoided at all costs. What would happen if a doctor misinterpreted a patient’s illness or prescribed the wrong prescription medication? Obviously, that doctor would be sued for malpractice. Using phrases like “What’s up Doc?” only lead to increased malpractice costs, which in turn lead to increased fees for patients. Perhaps some of these physicians should start to turn the tables and deliver some lawsuits to Bugs Bunny himself.
Allister Maclean said it best when he noted that the term “Doc” is as negative in context to a professional health-care provider as racial slurs are when referring to minorities. “I’m not convinced that Bugs Bunny is the right person to suggest that doctors are simply morons who deserve no better than half a title,” (322).
Opponents will argue that Bugs Bunny should be left alone, that he is an intelligent creature is using a clever twist of words to create a political statement. This is a ridiculous perspective. There is no political statement behind the phrase whatsoever. It is simply a cheap way to get a quick laugh from the audience, who fall under the charm of Bugs Bunny and don’t realize they have become a part of this atrocity. We only too often use the argument of “political satire” to justify inexcusable mistakes. Bugs Bunny should have been reprimanded the first time he used the phrase and fired if he continued to use it. It’s poor taste, not the clever wording of an intelligent creature.
Others will say that Bugs is expressing freedom of speech. This is true, and I am the first person to accept that freedom of speech is one of our most important rights in this nation. But there is also a sense of decency involved here. I am not allowed by law to yell “Fire” in a movie theater simply because I want to evoke a reaction from the audience. But it is also common sense: I know I should not say it. Bugs should recognize that as well and find another, equally humorous phrase.
The last thing I would want to see happen is Bugs Bunny stepping down and refusing to do any more work. He is, after all, one of the greatest actors of our or any other time. But if Bugs cannot make some ethical adjustments to his act, then maybe it is best for all to remember the good things about Bugs and forget about his poor choice of language.
WORKS CITED
Little, Gordie, “My Days with Warner Brothers.” Plattsburgh Press-Republican. 19 June
2004. C7.
Maclean, Allister. Myths and Legends of Hollwood: The Cartoons. New York: Bantam
Books, 2003.
Watson, Bob. Hoping to Find the Validity in Stupidity. New York: Harcourt Brace, 2000.