tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4065930044872741375.post8932101621317039789..comments2023-06-21T09:25:35.299-04:00Comments on C&E Current Events Blog: Current Event, 2/11Ms. Loganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06108383017239186239noreply@blogger.comBlogger47125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4065930044872741375.post-78930235929899390862011-02-12T14:01:42.739-05:002011-02-12T14:01:42.739-05:00Geoff Thomason – period 7
http://www.nytimes.com/2...Geoff Thomason – period 7<br />http://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/09/science/09sewage.html?ref=earth<br /><br /> New York City recently started drawing up new ideas for ‘Sewage Treatment Plants,’ because of the massive quantities of ‘wastewater.’ Sludge and Methane gas are just two of many different types of byproducts of wastewater in the sewers of New York, and this poses the question; Can Sewage treatments become potential sources of renewable energy? As of right now, their sewage is a major problem, due to horrible smells, contaminated waterways and high expenses. New York’s ‘Department of Environmental Protection’, has previously focused on the multiple complexities of water: cleaning it, re-using it, ect.. So switching their focus to renewable energy will require a big shift and a lot of support. The theory is that by simply heating the wastewater and the algae, the proper fuel will be produced, and will only need to be extracted from the sludge and butanol. If the NYDEP’s plan is successful, then sewage treatment plants could sell refined methane gas to provide power to homes. <br /> I think that this is a brilliant idea, because not only does sewage treatment need to be refined, but it’s a truly renewable resource, and could also help resolve the fuel issue. If this plan proves effective, then I honestly think that the entire United States population should pursue this method of alternate energy, in ADDITION to solar, wind, geothermal and more types of alternative power sources. The combination of these renewable sources of alternative energy should help us greatly in making a switch from oil based machinery. I also believe that this idea may prove to be better than the woodchip idea that I studied last week.Geoffreyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00302809698206389587noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4065930044872741375.post-79589703111111014142011-02-11T20:36:30.809-05:002011-02-11T20:36:30.809-05:00Tanner Gardner-7th Period
http://inventorspot.com...Tanner Gardner-7th Period<br /><br />http://inventorspot.com/articles/solarwindows_300_more_energy_spray_film.<br /><br /> New methods of creating energy are evolving every day, as can be seen with New Energy Technologies Inc.'s prototype called SolarWindow. This invention is a spray-on material which acts as a solar-panel. What makes it different from its predecessors is that it dries clear when applied at room temperature, allowing light through while still extracting energy. The company boasts a 300% increase in energy, and the film is even one-tenth the thickness of current solar-films (that's 1/1000th the thickness of a human hair!) Former models are expensive and laborious to manufacture, requiring high-temperature and high-vacuum production. This product is indeed a novelty: the individual solar cells (the part of the panel that absorbs the sun's energy-) is smaller than 1/4 the size of a rice grain. Because each cell is so small, enough light passes between them to leave the window transparent. As Meetash V. Patel, New Energy's president and CEO put it, "The importance of this breakthrough cannot be overstated." <br /> This is exactly the kind of thing Obama was talking about in his State of the Union Address: people taking it upon themselves to invent economical and innovative ways of procuring energy. Such an invention could be installed easily, and more importantly anywhere there are windows: everywhere. There are so many applicable situations for this product. And it is entirely clean-the greatest perk of all. This alone could save us from drilling unnecessarily until we squander the last of our finite resources and pollute every liter of air. Just imagine what a slew of inventions could do.Tannerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01434112186499773951noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4065930044872741375.post-3132922011049443262011-02-11T15:28:30.499-05:002011-02-11T15:28:30.499-05:00Julie Wulforst
Period 6 Topic: The Middle East
htt...Julie Wulforst<br />Period 6 Topic: The Middle East<br />http://news.blogs.cnn.com/2011/02/11/egypt-unrest-protesters-begin-18th-day-of-demonstrations/?hpt=T1<br /><br />Today, Friday February 11th, Egypt's President Mubarak resigned. The people of Egypt who have been protesting for weeks now, erupted in joy as they heard this news. Mubaraks three decades of rule was ended by 18 days of protesting, and he handed his control over to the Egyptian military. New Agency stated that some people passed out from joy and some even had heart attacks. Opposition leader Mohamed ElBaradei says, "For the first time, Egypt has a chance to be democratic, to be free, to have a sense of dignity, of freedom. So it's amazing. It's just like something we never experienced in our lifetime."<br /><br />I'm happy for Egypt. All this time they've just wanted Egypt to be democratic, and to have a sense of freedom, and all their hard weeks of protesting paid off. Although I don't agree with the violence that took place at the protest, I think it was a necessary factor in them getting Mubarak to resign. I hope that Egypt has the strength as a nation to remain united and focus on the future, not the past. With thousands dead or injured, it was a tragic yet liberating sacrifice.Juliehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00398940075342864126noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4065930044872741375.post-2625184970278999452011-02-11T15:25:06.081-05:002011-02-11T15:25:06.081-05:00Ryan Hegedus
N.C. man admits planning 'violent...Ryan Hegedus<br />N.C. man admits planning 'violent jihad'<br /> <br /><br /> A North Carolina man was arrested on two counts of terrorist-related crimes. He pleaded guilty and now faces life behind bars. Daniel Patrick Boyd was proven in the court of law that he organized and trained a group of people and planned to commit crimes such as rape, murder, and kidnap, among other things, abroad. Boyd had received training in Pakistan and Afghanistan that would help him commit acts of terrorism. After he returned, the record shows Boyd and the others accused were providing support for terrorists who were in need of weapons training, money, and transportation overseas to complete their training. A comment on the case stated that times are changing, because terrorists are no longer ju8st from other countries, but our own as well. <br /> I think that this man was disturbed. The article does not say which country he planned to terrorize, but I believe that there is never good reason to commit acts of terrorism. This is because the victims of terrorism are innocent people, regardless of what their country has done. Another fact to support my point, although not stated in the article, Boyd’s children were also in the “jihad” mindset. This proves that Boyd has brainwashed his kids into believing what he believes, because they are too young to have an idea of their own about the actions of other countries and its inhabitants.<br /> <br /><br />http://www.cnn.com/2011/CRIME/02/09/north.carolina.terror.plea/index.htmlRyanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17904979025419588742noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4065930044872741375.post-54470553478400686512011-02-11T15:07:30.986-05:002011-02-11T15:07:30.986-05:00Ryan Rainey
Gabby gifford asked for a piece of to...Ryan Rainey<br /><br />Gabby gifford asked for a piece of toast in words the other day. She is making progress every day. It is remarkable. The ironic thing is no one expected this type of recovery. What people dont know is that Giffords was interested in running for senate if she could. She wanted to but she was shot in the accident a month ago. She wanted to take the spot of Jon kyl. Kyl did not decide to re run so it would have been the perfect situation for Giffords. Giffords had political circles discussing her potential run. She did not want this information out in public but now being running is imposible it is information that people have told news articlists.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04139813135358440944noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4065930044872741375.post-4761117860659265722011-02-11T13:35:37.758-05:002011-02-11T13:35:37.758-05:00Jose
6th p.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110211/a...Jose<br />6th p.<br /><br />http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110211/ap_on_re_mi_ea/ml_egypt<br /><br /> Cairo's president finally quits after a long three decade of unfairness and authortarianism. the president of egypt has had 30 years tearing this countries peoples apart and messing up the country. now he throws in the towel with no one to take the placee.<br /><br /> i think its not cool that he gets to messup all he wants and then just quit all of a sudden, sorta like bush.Jose STFhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16685226607427718707noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4065930044872741375.post-13805376290427237162011-02-11T12:36:48.732-05:002011-02-11T12:36:48.732-05:00http://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/11/world/asia/11afg...http://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/11/world/asia/11afghan.html?_r=1&ref=afghanistan<br /><br />This week in Kabul a conference call was held by Afghanistan’s Intel service to raise awareness of two Taliban cells. It was reported that a man named Talib Jan was leading a group of Taliban from his jail cell. The first ring was lead by a man who instructs a ring of suicide bombers from the city’s main jail while the other cell fed drugs to men from religious schools and got them to do monstrous things. The conference call was not a successful one, as it raised many questions. One frequently asked question was how Jan managed to run a whole cell from a maximum security prison. It has been said that most of the attacks in Kabul were planned by Jan. Jan was responsible for the attack on the supermarket two weeks ago. There is a video taped confession but there is no way to actually verify them. The second cell was made up of eight people; five of the members confessed their roles in a news conference. This cell was planning attacks on American bases in Afghanistan. Both cells were part of the Haqqani network.<br /><br />I think it is sad that Jan was able to run such a big organization from a prison. Especially a maximum security one! Jan should get a longer sentence and have his rights taken away for awhile. The second cell is scary too, though. They were planning to attack US grounds and it is a good thing that they were stopped. Both of these cases are shocking to me because no longer is prison a place where terrorist attacks against US land or even our country are safe. It makes me question whether or not prisons should have even higher security. As a member of the country Taliban seem to be targeting so often, I say there should be more security, but I would feel bad for those who are innocent.<br /><br />Jessica Batson <br />7thJessicahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16474773761681972717noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4065930044872741375.post-19517535594613426672011-02-11T12:31:13.918-05:002011-02-11T12:31:13.918-05:00http://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/12/world/middleeast...http://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/12/world/middleeast/12egypt.html?ref=world<br /><br />Around 10 minutes before the posting of this current event, president Hosni Mubarak of Egypt stepped down. After about two weeks of protest by the Egyptian people, Mubarak has turned all power over to the military and left his Cairo home. This is only after nearly 150 Egyptian citizens have died at the hand of Mubarak's people during the protests. The Egyptian people have been under Mubarak's reign for over 30 years, and not much positive has come out of it. With over 25% unemployment rates the people were ready for a change and with Mubarak stepping down they have finally achieved success.<br /><br />As you could tell by my current event last week, I was very in favor of the progressive mindset of the Egyptians protesting Mubarak's rule. So I am very pleased that Mubarak has stepped down so that the Egyptians can finally make their way back up. I hope that this gives the country renewed hope and helps their relations with allied Israel.<br /><br />Jackson Wright<br />6th Period<br />2/11/11jhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01609280074886054153noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4065930044872741375.post-50858063729850627162011-02-11T12:26:30.376-05:002011-02-11T12:26:30.376-05:00http://www.cnn.com/2011/CRIME/02/09/north.carolina...http://www.cnn.com/2011/CRIME/02/09/north.carolina.terror.plea/index.html<br /><br />This week a 40-year-old North Carolina man pleaded guilty Wednesday to two terrorism-related felonies that could get him a sentence of life in prison. Daniel Patrick Boyd, a U.S. citizen, appeared in federal court in New Bern, North Carolina, and pleaded guilty to conspiracy to provide material support to terrorists and conspiracy to murder, kidnap, maim and injure persons in a foreign country. Boyd admitted his role in a multiyear conspiracy. He recruited young men to travel overseas to murder, kidnap, maim and injure persons," said David Kris, assistant attorney general for national security.<br />In my opionion I really think that people that do this ir not right to do. Half of the world is tring to stop thiswhile the other is killing childrend, separating familys. I really think this men should resive the death penalty of lithel injection. Its not right to go aroun the world killing peolpe.Soniahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09897529763295834742noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4065930044872741375.post-21991718529838518872011-02-11T12:07:52.349-05:002011-02-11T12:07:52.349-05:00http://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/15/science/15obfrog...http://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/15/science/15obfrog.html?_r=1&ref=science<br /><br />Dolla’s Law states that once a species loses a gentic trait, it can never be regained. This law is supported by the fact that humans no longer have tails and snakes still do have not regained limbs. It was also thought that frogs were another example of Dolla’s Law, because they lost the teeth on their lower jaw bone, but a recent analysis has shown that a particular type of frog, called the Marsupial Tree Frog, has regained those teeth on its lower jaw. It is obvious that this is in fact re-evolution, because frogs lost the lower teeth around 200 million years ago, and the Marsupial Tree Frog has regained the teeth over the past 20 million years. Scientists believe that the Marsupial Tree Frog has been able to regain its bottom teeth because frogs already have upper teeth, so all the dentine and enamel is there in the mouth. The only thing scientists are wondering is why can’t all frogs grow teeth on their bottom jaw?<br /><br />I think this discovery is fascinating. Dolla’s Law had previously been something so set in stone, but now this finding forces us to question the law. Can all species re-evolve certain traits once lost to them, or is this just one particular situation? This finding also makes me ask, why would a species regain a trait it had lost through evolution million years ago? Isn’t the point of evolution to shed off undesirable traits in a species? This discovery brings up many questions and it will be interesting to see if scientists find anymore evidence further contradicting Dolla’s Law.<br /><br />Brady Strine<br />6th periodBrady Strinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17269819666887671512noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4065930044872741375.post-25818801975447007172011-02-11T11:40:24.789-05:002011-02-11T11:40:24.789-05:00http://www.cnn.com/2011/CRIME/02/09/north.carolina...http://www.cnn.com/2011/CRIME/02/09/north.carolina.terror.plea/index.html<br /><br />A 40 year old North Carolinian, Daniel Patrick Boyd, pleaded guilty on Wednesday February 9th, 2011, to two terrorism-related felonies. Boyd went to a federal court in New Bern NC, and pleaded guilty to plotting to provide items of terrorism that would be used in acts of violence to people of other countries. "Today Daniel Patrick Boyd admitted his role in a multiyear conspiracy to advance violent jihad by recruiting and helping young men travel overseas to murder, kidnap, maim and injure persons," said David Kris, assistant attorney general for national security.” Boyd was arrested in 2009, and his indictment stated that Boyd had traveled to Pakistan and Afganistan somtime during 1989 and 1992. It said that while he was there he received terroristic military training. Boyd and other defendants provided weapons and financing for the kidnapping, murder, maim, and injury to people of foreign countries. They also aranged trips overseas to revieve training and supplies. Boyd’s sentencing will be set in may and his consiring actions could possibly land him life in prison, but his support with materials could land him only 15 years in prison.<br /><br />I think this is a scary situation to know that we were living so close to a possible terrorist. One of the US attournies talked about how much the world has changed. Not only do we have to worry about terrorists from other countries, but we also have to worry about terrorists in the US. Eventhough this crime happened a while ago, it still has a major impact on national security today. I think Boyd should be sentenced to life in prison because he was planning to purposfully injure others, and because he was conspiring against his own <br />country.Laura Musalemhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04411277008690423364noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4065930044872741375.post-54870295216477168742011-02-11T10:59:16.081-05:002011-02-11T10:59:16.081-05:00Teachers fail to teach evolution
Maria Miggs
p.7
...Teachers fail to teach evolution<br />Maria Miggs<br />p.7<br /><br />A recent survey proved that Biology teachers are failing to teach evolution to their students. Instead they teach creationism or don’t teach anything at all. Only 28 percent of the teachers are directly followig their designated lesson plans by teaching evolution. The survey found that 13 percent of teachers admit to teaching creationism in their classrooms. This startling data sheds light on the fact that many young students aren’t getting proper educations. Time and time again the teaching of creationism has been ruled unconstitutional yet it still goes on.<br />If this many teachers aren’t teaching the proper material, then there are many students who are receiving false information. I believe that everyone deserves the same education and this survey proves that some aren’t getting it. In this day and age, you would think that the startling evidence for evolution would be exhibited in teaching of the youth, but it continues to be a problem.<br /><br />http://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/08/science/08creationism.html?_r=1&ref=sciencemariamiggshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09329417678102755013noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4065930044872741375.post-20920500943140472032011-02-11T10:44:01.882-05:002011-02-11T10:44:01.882-05:00In Dayton, Ohio a VA clinic had over 500 veterans ...In Dayton, Ohio a VA clinic had over 500 veterans coming in contacted and being exposed to hepattitis and HIV during a dental routine. The dentist admitts to not washing his hands or changing gloves between patients. The VA clinic has contacted 436 of 535 patients by phone, letters, and visting shelters. The VA clinic is offering free test and treatment to the veterans. The dentist is still currently working but is doing non- clinic work. <br /><br />I personally think this is so disgusting. 535 veterans were all at risk of hepatitis and HIV. I appericate that the clinic is taking responsibility for a unsanitary dentist. I personally think this dentest should be fired and not be to wrok as a dentist again because he is disgusting!<br /><br />http://www.cnn.com/2011/HEALTH/02/10/ohio.veterams/index.htmlJaninehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12425831420262519897noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4065930044872741375.post-71883199775400297342011-02-11T09:52:54.919-05:002011-02-11T09:52:54.919-05:00http://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/11/us/11priest.html...http://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/11/us/11priest.html?_r=1&ref=us<br /><br />A grand jury on Thursday accused the Archdiocese of Philadelphia of failing to stop the sexual abuse of children more than five years after a grand jury report documented abuse by more than 50 priests. The new report said a senior church official charged with investigating allegations of sexual abuse by priests had in fact allowed some of those accused to remain in posts that gave them continued access to children. It charged him with endangering the welfare of minors and accused three priests and a teacher of raping two boys between 1996 and 1999. Investigators do not think these are the only two victims, but they are the only two being used as evidence. At least 37 priests who are subject to “substantial evidence of abuse” are still in roles that bring them into contact with children, the new report said, and 10 of those have been in place since before 2005, when the last grand jury made its allegations. <br /><br />The Rev. Edward Avery, 68, and the Rev. Charles Engelhardt, 64, were charged with the rape and indecent assault of a 10-year-old boy in St. Jerome Parish in Northeast Philadelphia in 1998 and 1999. The teacher, Bernard Shero, 48, was accused of assaulting the same boy in 2000. <br /><br />I think this is seriously wrong. This is like the worst possible abuse of power in the world. These guys mean everything to these defenseless little kids and then they rape them. These guys are seriously abusing their power, not to mention 10 year-olds. What's even worse is than 10 years ago, these guys all got caught doing the exact same thing and were punished. The Archdiocese was told to get rid of them, but instead, he did nothing. He let more than half of the molesters stay in their positions and have access to young children. This is one of the reasons I'm not religious. All these religions have major problems. In this, it's that young boys are being raped my old men and no one is doing a thing about it.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17800895631360650492noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4065930044872741375.post-85902004276297516872011-02-11T09:31:50.358-05:002011-02-11T09:31:50.358-05:00Hannah Blackburn:
Social Injustices
http://www.ny...Hannah Blackburn:<br />Social Injustices<br /><br />http://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/08/world/africa/08sudan.html?scp=4&sq=sudan&st=cse<br /><br /><br />South Sudan is the officially proposed name for the new country being formed in southern Sudan. The region will most likely become independent on July 9th this summer, when a Peace Treaty between the North and South expires. Of the 3.8 Southerners who voted, 98.83% voted for independance. Thankfully, the current President of Sudan, al-Bashir, accepts this decision. He says it is the will of the people and he will honor their vote to secede from the North. The vote was mostly peaceful, with only 50 dead in a scuffle between Northern and Southern soldiers in the weeks following the referendum vote. Things look up for South Sudan becoming a country, but nothing is final until July. Al-Bashir has been in power 18 years and is wanted by the International Criminal Court for the genocide in the Darfur region. <br /><br />I find it incredible that al-Bashir is still in power. If he is wanted for genocide, why is he not brought to justice? To me, it seems the International Criminal Court must not hold any true power if nothing has been done about these charges. My middle school ran a fundraiser for Darfur when I was in 6th grade. Seventh graders came into my social studies class and told us about what was happening in Darfur. We bought t-shirts for $10, and the money was sent to a group helping out in Darfur. It is fantastic that South Sudan is so close to its goal, and if al-Bashir does anything to stop South Sudan's formation, I hope the US and the UN will step in and stop him.Ginny Whttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11847406585584090414noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4065930044872741375.post-65094680601464403982011-02-11T07:00:55.983-05:002011-02-11T07:00:55.983-05:00Last year, the Muslim Student Union at the Univers...Last year, the Muslim Student Union at the University of California, Irvine staged a protest at a speech of the Israeli ambassador to the United States. Individually they stood up and shouted complaints about Israel. The result of their actions was that the Muslim Student Union was suspended for a quarter. Last week, however, harsher actions were taken. The District Attorney filed misdemeanor charges against the eleven who stood up for disturbing a public meeting and conspiracy to do so. This has brought the issue to the surface again. There are many strong feelings on both sides. Some feel that this is a direct violation of free speech, while others feel that the protesters should have chosen a different way to express their feelings against Israel. One woman even went so far as to compare the situation to the Klu Klux Klan trying to silence a speech by Martin Luther King Jr.<br /><br />I think that the protesters should have chosen another way to protest. The ambassador was not the one responsible for the things they were complaining about. I do think that they had the right to free speech, but this was not the right time or place to use it. The ambassador almost had to cancel his speech because of the interruptions, and that is in some ways taking away his right to free speech. I do think, however, that this controversy is going too far. People are now accusing each other of helping terrorists. The tension is building up in our country against Muslims and it needs to stop before any more people get hurt. There have already been hate crimes and outcries for Muslims not to be allowed certain places. I am speaking of the center that was trying to be built in New York City. These sorts of things will happen again if we do not find some way to simmer down the fear and distrust that creates them.<br /><br />http://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/12/world/middleeast/12egypt.html?_r=1&partner=rss&emc=rss<br /><br />Chiara SalemiChiarahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07087844368788122975noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4065930044872741375.post-35577120564706366302011-02-11T00:21:51.855-05:002011-02-11T00:21:51.855-05:00Kim Rubish
Period 6
http://www.npr.org/blogs/heal...Kim Rubish<br />Period 6<br /><br />http://www.npr.org/blogs/health/2011/02/10/133655669/my-neutrophils-can-kick-your-white-blood-cells-butt<br /><br />At the Science Gallery in Dublin, Ireland, a new exhibit by Kathy High has surfaced. This exhibit, called "Blood Wars", basically pits immune systems against eachother to find the strongest. Samples of people's blood are taken, and they are spun down to extract the white blood cells. Next, those cells are dyed a different color (to improve visibility), then the cells of 2 different people are let loose to attack eachother. The last blood standing goes on to the next round, leaving the other in the dust. This exhibit is basically the pro-wrestling of the science world.<br /><br />I think this is absolutely amazing! I'm not much of a science person, but this interests me so much. With so much sickness going around school right now, it would be really cool to see how my immune system stands up in comparison to my classmates. This exhibit is not only a really great way to get people thinking about science, but it also helps people to be aware of the germs and diseases going around (especially if their immune system is on the weaker side.) I hope something like this comes to America one day so I can see if my immune system could be the last one standing, or if it would fall victim to white blood cells of another.Kimhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09641007993113583583noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4065930044872741375.post-41913202847938462982011-02-10T23:31:35.827-05:002011-02-10T23:31:35.827-05:00Kate Boyd
7th pd
topic: technology
http://www.nyt...Kate Boyd<br />7th pd<br />topic: technology<br /><br />http://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/11/us/politics/11obama.html?_r=1&ref=technology<br /><br />Obama just gave a speech in northern Michigan further going into detail about his plan to make sure at least 98% of all Americans have high-speed internet access. He plans to spend several billion dollars on this. Around $3 billion would go into new research for wireless technology, and the rest would go to getting and installing equipment for people in rural areas. He says that this is important for our economy, and would further connect our country. This would help all people have an equal opportunity to spread their ideas, and would make it easier to communicate in the case of a national emergency.<br /><br />I believe this is a great idea. I think that everyone should have access to the internet, as it has helped our society advance in so many ways, and it's not fair that only people in urban areas should have reliable access. I don't really know what they're going accomplish in their research, but I suppose it's a good use of money anyway. I'm also not sure how they plan on getting equipment to people, and I feel like that will cost more than Obama has predicted. I would really like to see this accomplished though, as I know a lot of people want home access to the internet, but unfortunately can not afford it.Katehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06609027572209482731noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4065930044872741375.post-18088903361836413192011-02-10T23:30:09.209-05:002011-02-10T23:30:09.209-05:00http://minnesota.cbslocal.com/2011/02/09/mn-teen-t...http://minnesota.cbslocal.com/2011/02/09/mn-teen-to-use-insanity-defense-in-iowa-killings/ <br /><br />Michael Swanson, a 17 year old from St. Louis Park, Minnesota is being charged as an adult with murder. The 17 year old was suspected to have killed two convenience store clerks. The boy is charged with robbery and murder. The defendant’s excuse for the murder is that he was insane. Apparently, since there were two murders in different counties, there will be two trials. Michael’s attorney asked to combine the trials to take place during the summer. The case will not be held in juvenile court and Kenville didn’t say any more on the matter.<br /><br />I think that this case is very interesting because we just finished watching a movie on teen crimes in class. This case is very similar to the ones in the film. A teenager under the age of eighteen commits murder, and is tried as an adult. I also find it very interesting because it is a lot like the episode of Law and Order we watched in class today. This teen has been accused of murder and robbery just like in the episode. I am really scared that Michael will be sentenced to life in prison. This is a kid about my age and I can’t even imagine being seen as an adult in front of the court. I think that life in prison is wrong for anyone under 18 because I think that they should have another chance at life. Of course what he did should not go without punishment, but I think the court system is a little too harsh sometimes. No one knows what this kid may be going through, especially if he really is insane. I think that this case needs to be deeply thought into and I hope the court makes the right decision for Michael.<br /><br />TrisAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4065930044872741375.post-4417612990776242062011-02-10T23:03:59.482-05:002011-02-10T23:03:59.482-05:00Thomas Nguyen
2.10.11 Period 7
Topic: National New...Thomas Nguyen<br />2.10.11 Period 7<br />Topic: National News<br />http://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/11/us/11smoking.html?_r=1&ref=us<br /><br /><br /><br />Numerous hospitals and medical businesses are deciding to turn away employee candidates just because they smoke across the US. Hospitals and medical businesses want to cut back on health care costs, promote a healthy life and boost the productivity at work. They are warning people by putting up signs that says "tobacco-free hiring" as well as submit a sample of urine to test for nicotine in it. The punishment for smoking at hospitals is termination. This move has not only drawn criticism from the pro-tobacco groups, but as well as anti-tobacco groups. The anti-tobacco groups claim that banning smoking workers is invading the private lives of people just to ban a habit that is legal within the US. Hospitals in Georgia, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and other states have already banned smoking. More are expected to follow them. According to federal statistics, about 20% of Americans still smoke and cost businesses about $3391 for health care. <br /><br /><br />This issue will be a debate for many years. Lots of unemployed people smoke and they might not find a job at all. It is ironic that the anti-tobacco groups do not support the various hospitals' decisions to "give the boot" to people who smoke. This won't affect me because I do not smoke. A lot of Americans still smoke and if all states banned smoking within hospitals and medical businesses, unemployment could jump by 20%. Right now, I don't have an exact opinion on the issue, but sooner or later the federal government will pass a law that determines if smokers can smoke at hospitals. I think a better solution to the problem is to allow workers to smoke only during their lunch break.Thomashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10692266940496303648noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4065930044872741375.post-76035675808882218512011-02-10T22:32:06.875-05:002011-02-10T22:32:06.875-05:00http://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/11/us/politics/11ob...http://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/11/us/politics/11obama.html?_r=1&ref=politics <br /><br />President Obama traveled to Marquette, Michigan in a remote corner of Michigan on Thursday. There he made the case that expanding wireless access is critical to the nation’s economic recovery. “It’s about connecting every corner of America to the digital age,” the president said. Obama called for securing high-speed wireless coverage to 98 percent of all Americans within five years.<br /><br />This plan sounds like a very good idea to me. This will truly connect America and will let people in rural and remote areas know what is going on in this country and be informed. This will also boost the economy according to the article. This plan could “raise $27.8 billion in revenue over the next decade.” It sounds like there are no major downsides to this plan, so I believe that we should follow through with it.<br /><br />Chris Barth<br />P.7Chrishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04335256623382270175noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4065930044872741375.post-72506233290179547512011-02-10T21:57:30.545-05:002011-02-10T21:57:30.545-05:00Norman Archer
Topic: Egypt/Middle East
Mubarak ...Norman Archer <br />Topic: Egypt/Middle East <br />Mubarak Refuses to Step Down:<br /> <br /> Today President Hosni Mubarak delivered a 17minute speech in which he stated that he would not step down as the country’s leader. This statement enraged thousands of protesters who have been in Tahrir Square, Cairo for three weeks. Although Mubarak did “delegate authority” to Vice President Omar Suleiman, y the Egyptian people were not satisfied. Many protesters, including Nobel laureate Mohamed ElBaradei have suggested that the military step in and take control. Several Generals of the Egyptian Army have made speeches at the square, telling the protesters that their demands will be met. In his speech Mubarak said, “We will not accept or listen to any foreign interventions or dictations.” <br /> I think that Mubarak needs to leave. The president is the most important part of the government, and when he or she is rejected by the people then it is his or her time to leave. By refusing to step down, Mubarak is stating that he is indeed a tyrant. A president needs to be in touch with his people, and Mubarak is anything but. Not only is Mubarak disregarding the Egyptian people, but all other foreign nations as well. This is the 21st Century, an age of globalization and intense foreign relations. At no other point in time has the world been so connected. To refuse this link is to completely isolate oneself from the rest of the world (ex. Iran, North Korea). What Mubarak is doing is stupid and it is only a matter of time before his power and position are vanquished.<br /> This article can be related to our talks about crime and punishment this week in class. What the president is doing her may not be a crime by definition, but his is definitely doing a bad deed (the people fighting protesters have been linked to Mubarak). From a small scale, I can begin to understand how the protesters feel. Dealing with a corrupt system is hard because what you are fighting doesn’t play by the rules. I know that it can seem like an impossible situation but I am glad to see these people fighting for their rights. I just hope that others countries will do more to help out these people in need.Normanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16633269050558525804noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4065930044872741375.post-28591935443613726652011-02-10T21:56:13.455-05:002011-02-10T21:56:13.455-05:00http://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/05/nyregion/05unsol...http://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/05/nyregion/05unsolved.html?_r=2&scp=3&sq=murder&st=cse <br /><br />Topic: Murder<br /><br />In 1971, the police broke into an Upper East Side apartment to find a dead woman lying against an overturned bed, with a rope tied around her neck and a bite mark on her breast. The lead investigator on this case, Frank Donnelly, examined fingerprints and compared impressions of suspects’ teeth to a mold of the victim’s breast. He looked for clues in other murder files, and even interrogated the mailman. But while no real evidence was found, the case went unsolved. Then last month, almost 40 years after he was assigned to the case, Mr. Donnelly, heard for the first time the name of the man believed to have raped and killed Ms. Crilley. He is Rodney Alcala, a photographer and a one-time contestant on “The Dating Game” who is on death row in California for murdering five people in the late 1970s. Mr. Alcala, 67, has a record of violent offenses dating back to 1968, when he kidnapped, beat and molested an 8-year-old girl in California. He fled from California after that crime and was on the FBI’s most-wanted list. He lived in New York in the 1970s under the alias John Berger. In 1978, Mr. Alcala was “Bachelor No. 1” on an episode of “the Dating Game.” He has been in prison since 1980, when he was convicted of murdering a 12-year-old girl. Since then, he has been convicted of murdering four other Californian women in the late 1970s. <br /><br />Usually, I don’t believe in capital punishment, but in this case, I think it is the right thing to do in order to keep our society safe. People who are able to murder multiple human beings obviously have deep issues, and should not be allowed out in public. Although this is a horrible crime and most of us would rather forget that it ever happened, I am glad they re-opened this case and finally convicted Alcala of his wrongdoings. Also, I’m sure Mr. Donnelly is very relieved to see that after 40 years, his case ended in justice. It’s good to see how far technology has come in the past few decades, and it makes me feel a lot safer to know that almost every case can be solved today with modern technology and smart detectives.<br /><br />Cerys HumphreysCeryshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05060179156063450925noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4065930044872741375.post-57961761644013546692011-02-10T21:29:49.652-05:002011-02-10T21:29:49.652-05:00http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110210/ap_on_re_us/us...http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110210/ap_on_re_us/us_congress_spending<br /><br />In the House of Repersentatives the Republican leaders are promising a 100 billion dollar spending cut from what Obama had asked for in the "Pledge to America" speech. It has not been all at once, as they decided on adding 26 billion dollars to the cuts today. Pepersentative Harold Rogers (R-Ky) said the downside is there could be massive layoffs in the FBI and less money for student loans. Since the bill funding the money expires March 4, they've had to squeeze in all the budget cuts in a seven month period, making it extremely tough to get everything in on time. This has many drawbacks, as Healthcare will probably take a cut and the FBI won't get the 4% increase they were promised.<br />First off it's ridiculous the United States spends that much money. Also it's suprising the House didn't give themselves more time to cut spending. Plus the bill goes against what Obama's asked for and could result in more peope getting laid off. I don't know if the potental fall out is worth the bill getting proposed. This is a huge risk, either it fixes part of the economy or destroys it. Hopefully the result is the economy gets partialy fixed and the United States can get back on track with the economy.<br /><br />Mark Stouffer<br />Period 7Markhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15888462462700850988noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4065930044872741375.post-77954587018874087242011-02-10T21:11:33.416-05:002011-02-10T21:11:33.416-05:00Gavin Welch
Per 7
Agence France-Presse retorted t...Gavin Welch<br />Per 7 <br />Agence France-Presse retorted that diet soda drinkers have an increased risk or a having a heart attack or a stroke than those who do not drink soda. A study looked at 2,564 people in New York and found that those who drink a diet soda every day had a 61 percent higher risk of having a heart attack or stroke. Acording to the research presented at the American Stroke Association International Stroke Conference, evidence back up the past discoveries. If future studies are parallel to this evidence than that might be good enough proof that diet soda’s may not be the best substitute for a soda. <br />I believe this evidence very much so. Diet sodas have very much affected my family. My grandmother is currently recovering from a stroke that she has had previously in the past two years. She has also had at least one diet Pepsi a day. The chemicals that are in a diet soda that replace the sugar can be very harmful. These chemicals are not should not be naturally consumed by our body on a constant basis. I strongly suggest that no one shoulddrink diet soda on a constant basis.<br /><br />http://www.foxnews.com/health/2011/02/09/study-diet-soda-drinkers-increased-risk-stroke/Gavinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09533558369082340314noreply@blogger.com