Each week you will be required to find a news article, read it, and share your opinion on the article. You will turn in your current event by commenting on the post for your class. Please provide a link to the article you read in your comment. Some weeks, I will give you an assigned topic, and other weeks you will be able to choose. The only topics that are off limits are sports and entertainment news. I have provided some links on the right side of the page to help you get started.
Let's practice! Please find an article, link it, and add your comments in the section below.
http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/meast/08/26/yemen.divorce/index.html
ReplyDeleteI'd heard about this girl before, when she was still struggling to get a divorce from her husband. I didn't know that she had won the case, but I'm not surprised. There was enough media attention that I suspect the government had no choice but to grant her the divorce. However, I think it can teach us all a valuable lesson that she still hasn't been able to reclaim her childhood. Once something is taken away, it can't always be given back. It saddens me to think that there's no happy ending for this story, but I think that's the way things are for so many.
Christine sauer
ReplyDeletehttp://www.wral.com/news/state/story/5876036/
I think that with all of these summer storms strengthening, that people need to be alert. When I read this article, I couldnt't help but wonder "If a hurricane really did make land fall, how many people would actually be ready?" Although these storms most likely will not affect our town, many of us probably have or know someone who owns a home near the beach that would need to be prepared for the hurricane season.
http://www.newsobserver.com/news/orange/story/1654676.html
ReplyDeleteIn Hillsborough, a resident's cats will have to be killed after coming in contact with rabid bats. While the cats had not been seen actually interacting with the bats, they had not been vaccinated against rabies and under North Carolina law must be killed or quarantined for six months. Rabid bats appear to be fairly common in Orange County, as there have been twelve cases this year involving them. I find that to be a bit shocking, as I have never heard of cats coming in contact with rabid bats before. It's also quite sad that the cats must be killed, and it makes me wonder why their owner did not get them vaccinated.
http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/asia/149639/gandhi-trust-awards-aung-san-suu-kyi-peace-prize
ReplyDeleteAung San Suu Kyi, Burma's most well-known peace activist, has just been awarded the Mahatma Gandhi peace prize. She has been under house arrest for 14 years and in jail since May for allowing an uninvited American to swim to her house. The prize has been handed to Suu Kyi's cousin while she attended her trial. The Burmese government is now under a lot of pressure to be more fair to Aung San Suu Kyi because they know that the world is watching to see what will happen to her.
-Maddy Kameny :)
Daniela Thielisch
ReplyDeletehttp://www.examiner.com/x-5919-Norfolk-Crime-Examiner~y2009m8d27-Just-how-many-illegal-aliens-are-in-the-United-States
There are 12 million illegal aliens in the country right now. Since 1986, half a million illegal aliens come into the United States each year. Obama says that we should give these illegal aliens citizenship to help boost taxs. I don't have enough knowledge about this, but I think it's a good idea. The only problem, I think, is that if they can't pay their taxes, then we will just get ourselfs in a bigger problem, so we should check the aliens annual income and then decide whether or not to give them citizenship.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/28/world/asia/28taiwan.html?_r=1&hp
ReplyDeleteWhen I read this article I thought it was very interesting that China would oppose the Dalai Lama visiting Taiwan. I also did not know that the government in Taiwan was having problems but the article pointed out that Taiwan's president Ma Ying-jeou was experiencing a downfall in popularity. I also thought it was strange that several government officials invited the Dalai Lama to embaress their president. I dont understand why the Dalai Lama is so controversial in these areas.
http://www.examiner.com/x-5919-Norfolk-Crime-Examiner~y2009m8d27-Just-how-many-illegal-aliens-are-in-the-United-States
ReplyDeleteAccording to this article, there is approximately 60 million illegal immigrants in our country. Obama wants to grant them all citizenship to boost our tax base and secure democratic control of the White House. I think we should make it easier for them to get citizenship to America but not grant it to anyone and everyone.
http://www.newsweek.com/id/212556
ReplyDeleteWhen I read this article, I would have never guessed that Africa would have a obesity problem. I didn't think about that because i t seems all you hear about is Africa, is how many people are starving and malnourished. Not everyone is starving in Africa, but to them beinging bigger is seen as a good thing a nd that can be a problem because that will lead to another country with an obesity problem. In South Africa more than 50% of men are obese. Also black women like being plump and also see it as agood thing and want to gain weight before marriage to seem more attractive. Needless to say, Not only americans are becoming obese.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/27/world/asia/27china.html?ref=todayspaper
ReplyDeleteA voluntary organ donor program is being started in China, where organs were previously sold on the black market for inflated prices. The program's goal is to make the organs avaiable to anyone who needs a transplant, and not just the wealthy. However, only 130 people have signed up for the program. I think that this could be a great idea if more people signed up for it, and if they found a way to get rid of the black market selling of organs. Also, they have to make the program sound more appealing so that more people are interested. I do think that it's a good idea.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090826/ap_on_sc/us_sci_dna_transplant
ReplyDeleteThere was an experimental procedure that involving monkies. Using gene therapy, transferring good DNA to the nucleus and not the bad DNA from the mitocondria to stop the disease in the DNA.
Leah Zelson :-)
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/27/technology/personaltech/27basics.html?_r=1&hpw
ReplyDeleteFrom Maya Handa & Michelle Gay
Michelle thinks that kids shouldn't have a cell phone till high school. In Maya's family, this is the rule, with one exception. We lived in Kenya, where land lines didn't work, so many kids had a cell phone young (also because it was dangerous there, so we had to be in contact at all times.)
Michelle always had an older sibling around and so she didn't need one since they had one.. but I (Michelle) think it is important that children spend time face to face in the younger years so they can learn true communication skills.
Maya: I think once people enter high school it is important though that they have a mobile for emergencies and things but I have a friend whose parents say that she can't have a mobile till she buys it herself--their reasoning is, if everyone else has one, their daughter can just use theirs in times of emergency. It's like the people who don't vaccinate their kids because everyone else does--it's a bit ridiculous I think.
Texting should be limited though, because it gets excessive, especially unlimited plans. I have a 250 text plan and it's perfect--I can text my friends to get homework, and to talk a little when I'm bored, but I'm not texting every minute of the day--which is what the unlimited plan encourages.
Michelle: I personally think that Maya's friedns parents were right, if there are phones all around you then why do you need one also... It is important to have a cell phone if you are ever going to be with people you don't know or if you will be alone...for emergencies. I also think that texting can be very useful if you can't talk but yopu need to tell someone something important. I think that it is a good idea for parents to have some influence on what the teen is doing aswell.
Phones for young children are not a good idea because it stunts them communicationally.
Anonymous said...
ReplyDeletehttp://www.newsweek.com/id/213741
It is very sad to hear the Teddy Kennedy has died. He was a very important man to our society. His life was full of scandle but he was always able to show that it didn't matter.
John stavas
August 27, 2009 9:23 AM
http://www.examiner.com/x-5919-Norfolk-Crime-Examiner~y2009m8d27-Just-how-many-illegal-aliens-are-in-the-United-States
ReplyDeleteI wasn't aware that illegal aliens don't pay taxes, but now I think about it it seems logical. I think granting amnesty to all current illegal aliens is a good idea; this country is supposed to be a place for everyone and it spoils that outlook if illegal aliens aren't counted in the census or granted amnesty.
Marleigh Cannon
ReplyDeletehttp://www.newsobserver.com/news/story/1663884.html
This is an article on the death of Carolina student Courtland Smith. The police officers said that moments before he died he was calm and collected. The officers aren't releasing any more information until the SBI report comes back. I think this is a good idea because this keeps people from forming an opinion in their mind.
http://www.cnn.com/2009/HEALTH/conditions/07/27/moh.healthmag.lonely.heart/
ReplyDeleteCan you die of loneliness? Thats one of many questions left unanswered, however that question has been answered. According to experts, studies have proven that many individuals who lack friends or have nowhere to turn to die earley of heart disease. People who get this "sickness" often die in the earley 30s or 20s and or may lead to sucide. I think this article is very interesting because it proves that every human being need attension and needs to socilize (spelled that wrong) , so now that you know take care of that heart xD and make friends or else :O
Allie Meegan
ReplyDeletehttp://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/27/world/asia/27kabul.html?pagewanted=1&_r=1
Politicians, to be elected, should make the people that they want to vote for them, trust them. having a corrupt druggie running mate is not a good idea. i think that the united states have the right to not provide military help to someone as irresponsible as that. i dont think that we should help someone who makes such bad choices. if someone is going to be in government, they should be responsible, trustworthy, and know how to make good choices. Marshal Fahim obviously doesnt fit that description.
http://www.examiner.com/x-5919-Norfolk-Crime-Examiner~y2009m8d27-Just-how-many-illegal-aliens-are-in-the-United-States
ReplyDeleteIn America today, there is an estimated 12 million illegal aliens. That number is possibly quadrupled or 5 times as much if you count the poeple who havent left after their visas expired, and drug smugglers, you can get 60-70 million. Obama wants to count these in the Census to get a better tax base and to secure the Democratic control of the white house.
I think that we may as well keep the immigrants. Theyre already here and have probably built lives. It will be impossible to track them all down and send them back to their homes, and even if we do, others will come in. It would be a pointless effort.
meredith kramer
This is in response to michelle and Maya. I undrstand what Maya is saying. Cell phones can be very useful. With what Michelle says I agree and disagrre cell pones can be used in moderation. i think an age for a cell phone is 11. I don't think theres many kids younger than that with their own phones. I understand that phones are for saftey so you can call your parents. :)
ReplyDeleteIn response to Michelle and Maya: August 27, 2009 9:29 AM
ReplyDeleteI understand what Maya is saying. Cell phones help you keep in contact with people. If you get lost and have your cell phone, you can call for directions or help.
Michelle: I can definitely see what you are saying. I think that it's ok to have a cell phone earlier, like in 7th or 8th grade in middle school. You definitely don't need it before that.
:) Alex
---Miranda Heins
ReplyDeletehttp://abcnews.go.com/US/story?id=8417872
The title of this article caught my eye; it's "Rigid School Dress Code Leads to Suspension of Dozens in Indiana." The kids here aren't allowed to wear any T-shirts, plaid, stripes, or logos of anykind & that's just the start of the list dealing with shirts. This policy almost makes our school seem like a beach or dance club. Over 150 Indiana students were suspended on the second day alone. Parents who are already struggling to deal with the tough economy are having difficulty paying for their kids' new wardrobes. It makes me think that the kids' learning must be effected really negatively by all the obsession with how they look. Whatever happened to the philosophy "it's what's inside that counts"??