This is a blog for Mrs. Ballew's Civics and Economics classes.
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
6th Period Current Event 3/12
Please post your current event for Friday, March 12 below. As always, include the topic of your article, a link to it, and a 5-6 sentence summary. You may use a podcast or video clip instead of an article.
Seven-year old calls 911 and saves family from attack. A terrified 7-year old boy begged emergency dispatchers to send police to his Southern California home where three armed robbers threatened his parents, according to a recording of the call released on Tuesday. Gunmen broke into the home and said they were going to take anything they liked. The boy and his 6-year old sister hid unnoticed in the locked bathroom while the suspects threatened his parents at gunpoint. "There's some guy who's going to kill my mom and dad," he said breathlessly. "Bring cops. A lot of them! ... And soldiers, too." He said when he dialed 911. Unfortunately he was caught by the gunmen. The suspects asked him who he called and they fled without injuring the family or stealing anything when he stated that he called 911. Sadly, the three men remain at large. If not for the brave and educated actions of the 7-year old boy, this might have ended tragically. He's a smart kid and this story has definitely taught me a lot. I'd have been frightened to death in a situation like this, but this boy has proved that age doesn't matter when it comes to using intelligence and common sense!
http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20100308/lf_afp/swedenhistoryshippingwreckgaspipeline Gas pipeline probe uncovers shipwrecks in Baltic Sea A dozen previously unknown shipwrecks, some of them believed to be up to 1,000 years old, were discovered in the Baltic Sea during a probe of the sea bed to prepare for the installation of a large gas pipeline, Monday. Along with these shipwrecks they found around 80 sea mines. None of the wrecks were in the way of the pipeline. Due to its low tempertures and oxygen levels, the Baltic Sea is known as an ideal environment for conserving shipwrecks. These can remain on the ocean floor for hundreds and even thousands of years. History is buried under the waves.
in this article it talks about the relationship between smoking and parkinsons desease. it is said that they are inversely related. that means that the more someone smokes the less chance of getting parkinsons they have. its not so much how much you smoke but how long you have been doing it. smokers for 8 to 10 years have on 8% lower risk, whereas smokers for 40 years or more have 46 % less chance. this is obviously not insinuating that people should start smoking, but at least now there is one up side to people who have been doing it for a while. i found this article to directly relate me because my mom has been smoking for as long as i can remember and i wish that something as serious never happens to her.
http://www.cnn.com/2010/US/03/11/missouri.school.closings/index.html Kansas City superintendent defends plan to shutter schools
With school budgets being low, many have had to make the decision whether to close or have 4-day weeks. In Kansas City, a city with 61 schools, they have decided to close down 28 schools. Lots of people are very upset about this, but superintendent John Covington says that it's the right thing to do because it will save money and make the schools that are still open academically stronger. However, high school seniors complain that they will not have a place to go back to and parents are worried about the fact that their young children, in 1st and 2nd grade, will be going to school with 8th and 12th graders. They argue that their children will not be safe. I think that because of the small budget, closing down some schools could be a good idea, but that they shouldn't close down almost half because this will cause too much redistricting and hassel for parents and students. Also, schools might become overcrowded in the future and they may find themselves needing to open more. I think the best solution would be to close down only about one-fourth of the schools currently open, as well as change from 5-day weeks to 4-day weeks.
According to this article, the ninth U.S. circuit court of appeals recently ruled that the use of the words "under god" and "in god we trust" in the pledge and printed on money respectively are not violations of the United States constitution. I mostly agree with their decision but personally, I find that the use of these phrases is unconstitutional in some cases. We live in a new day and age from that in which this country was born, and where it was once unthinkable to not be part of the church, we now have a large population of athiests that may find the use of these phrases offensive. However, as long as we are not forced to recite the pledge of allegiance I fail to see how this is a violation of our rights and separation of church and state. Our country was founded a long time ago and many things have changed, as far as religious beliefs are concerned, since then. I think that as long as the use of god in the pledge is only viewed as a patriotic act and recognition of the values on which our country was founded, it is perfectly acceptable. Besides, we all have much more serious issues in the world today than a simple word in our nations pledge. It's up to people to interpret the words however they seem fit.
12 year old kids today are getting high on other substances than drugs. A survey reports that "huffing" is now the most common way for 12 year old kids to get high. 6.9 percent of 12 year olds have tried huffing, while 5.2 percent have tried smoking. Inhalants are cheap, and some are common household items. I think that kids are making a lot of bad choices these days. I find that to be a bad problem for us in the future. National Inhalants and Poisons Awareness Week starts Sunday
This article is about a school district in Kansas City, Missouri which is planning on closing half of its schools. A lot of parents and students are unhappy with the decision, but the superintendent believes it is the best thing to do right now. Personally I think that they shouldn't be closing down the school just because they think not enough room is being used up. Sure this "right size" plan may save space and money, but I would be really upset if my high school was closing down. Also, it is always better to have more than you need than too much, that way you would always be prepared for the future. What will happen to these children if the remaining schools become overcrowded? Closing half of the schools in the district will have an extremely huge affect in the surrounding communities. The superintendent should hold off on the decision making until more information has been gathered, otherwise he might regret his choice.
In this article, it talks about the increasing number of teens using inhalants as drugs now and days. A new national survey from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration report finds that they're using inhalants more than marijuana, hallucinogens and cocaine combined. To me, this statistic is mind boggling to me. Before reading this, I didnt think inhalants were not as big of an issue that they are in reality. They can easily be found in most homes: spray paint, shoe polish, glue, air fresheners, hair spray, nail polish, gasoline, aerosols, computer cleaners, even the refrigerant from air conditioners. All of those are also incredibly shocking to me because of how everyone sees these items on a day to day basis. I hope this statistic will be able to change for the better in the near future.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/us_and_americas/article7059489.ece In this article it talks about how all the victums involved in 9/11 are now sick. firefighters, police officers, construction experts and emergency workers that were exposed to the dangerous toxic smokes are in need of money. So from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, some will be getting thousands and others will get around a million dollars. Even though it wasntAmericas fault that 9/11 happend we are still taking responsibilty for the dead and injuried. I think it's really honorable of America to do that. All of the firemen and other workers fought for America that day and it's great that we can help them out in their time of need. Mirian Avendano
President Obama took his health care campaign to ohio on today. The president says he will spend time discussing why reform is important. I think this is a very good thing. People need to know more about health care and why it is important. This is a good way for the president to get the information out.
In this artical, they talk about how today, Obama signed away 942 billion dollars to the 32 million american citizens who dont have health care. This is a historic event is the largest governmental policy shift since the 1960s. In this bill, people cannot be refused health care based on a pre existing condition. I think that this bill is a very good idea because it its modernizing our counrties policies with other countries around the world such as France and Canada. I think that Obama will go down in history as the president who pushed health care reform into the spot light and made it finally happen. GObama
http://abclocal.go.com/wtvd/story?section=news/national_world&id=7322250
ReplyDeleteSeven-year old calls 911 and saves family from attack.
A terrified 7-year old boy begged emergency dispatchers to send police to his Southern California home where three armed robbers threatened his parents, according to a recording of the call released on Tuesday. Gunmen broke into the home and said they were going to take anything they liked. The boy and his 6-year old sister hid unnoticed in the locked bathroom while the suspects threatened his parents at gunpoint.
"There's some guy who's going to kill my mom and dad," he said breathlessly. "Bring cops. A lot of them! ... And soldiers, too." He said when he dialed 911.
Unfortunately he was caught by the gunmen. The suspects asked him who he called and they fled without injuring the family or stealing anything when he stated that he called 911.
Sadly, the three men remain at large.
If not for the brave and educated actions of the 7-year old boy, this might have ended tragically. He's a smart kid and this story has definitely taught me a lot. I'd have been frightened to death in a situation like this, but this boy has proved that age doesn't matter when it comes to using intelligence and common sense!
http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20100308/lf_afp/swedenhistoryshippingwreckgaspipeline
ReplyDeleteGas pipeline probe uncovers shipwrecks in Baltic Sea
A dozen previously unknown shipwrecks, some of them believed to be up to 1,000 years old, were discovered in the Baltic Sea during a probe of the sea bed to prepare for the installation of a large gas pipeline, Monday. Along with these shipwrecks they found around 80 sea mines. None of the wrecks were in the way of the pipeline. Due to its low tempertures and oxygen levels, the Baltic Sea is known as an ideal environment for conserving shipwrecks. These can remain on the ocean floor for hundreds and even thousands of years. History is buried under the waves.
http://pagingdrgupta.blogs.cnn.com/2010/03/10/longtime-smoking-cuts-parkinson’s-risk-dramatically/?hpt=T2
ReplyDeletein this article it talks about the relationship between smoking and parkinsons desease. it is said that they are inversely related. that means that the more someone smokes the less chance of getting parkinsons they have. its not so much how much you smoke but how long you have been doing it. smokers for 8 to 10 years have on 8% lower risk, whereas smokers for 40 years or more have 46 % less chance. this is obviously not insinuating that people should start smoking, but at least now there is one up side to people who have been doing it for a while. i found this article to directly relate me because my mom has been smoking for as long as i can remember and i wish that something as serious never happens to her.
http://www.cnn.com/2010/US/03/11/missouri.school.closings/index.html
ReplyDeleteKansas City superintendent defends plan to shutter schools
With school budgets being low, many have had to make the decision whether to close or have 4-day weeks. In Kansas City, a city with 61 schools, they have decided to close down 28 schools. Lots of people are very upset about this, but superintendent John Covington says that it's the right thing to do because it will save money and make the schools that are still open academically stronger. However, high school seniors complain that they will not have a place to go back to and parents are worried about the fact that their young children, in 1st and 2nd grade, will be going to school with 8th and 12th graders. They argue that their children will not be safe. I think that because of the small budget, closing down some schools could be a good idea, but that they shouldn't close down almost half because this will cause too much redistricting and hassel for parents and students. Also, schools might become overcrowded in the future and they may find themselves needing to open more. I think the best solution would be to close down only about one-fourth of the schools currently open, as well as change from 5-day weeks to 4-day weeks.
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2010/03/11/BAS71CEC9F.DTL
ReplyDeleteAccording to this article, the ninth U.S. circuit court of appeals recently ruled that the use of the words "under god" and "in god we trust" in the pledge and printed on money respectively are not violations of the United States constitution. I mostly agree with their decision but personally, I find that the use of these phrases is unconstitutional in some cases. We live in a new day and age from that in which this country was born, and where it was once unthinkable to not be part of the church, we now have a large population of athiests that may find the use of these phrases offensive. However, as long as we are not forced to recite the pledge of allegiance I fail to see how this is a violation of our rights and separation of church and state. Our country was founded a long time ago and many things have changed, as far as religious beliefs are concerned, since then. I think that as long as the use of god in the pledge is only viewed as a patriotic act and recognition of the values on which our country was founded, it is perfectly acceptable. Besides, we all have much more serious issues in the world today than a simple word in our nations pledge. It's up to people to interpret the words however they seem fit.
http://www.cnn.com/2010/HEALTH/03/11/inhalant.abuse/index.html
ReplyDelete12 year old kids today are getting high on other substances than drugs. A survey reports that "huffing" is now the most common way for 12 year old kids to get high. 6.9 percent of 12 year olds have tried huffing, while 5.2 percent have tried smoking. Inhalants are cheap, and some are common household items. I think that kids are making a lot of bad choices these days. I find that to be a bad problem for us in the future. National Inhalants and Poisons Awareness Week starts Sunday
http://www.cnn.com/2010/US/03/11/missouri.school.closings/index.html?npt=NP1
ReplyDeleteThis article is about a school district in Kansas City, Missouri which is planning on closing half of its schools. A lot of parents and students are unhappy with the decision, but the superintendent believes it is the best thing to do right now. Personally I think that they shouldn't be closing down the school just because they think not enough room is being used up. Sure this "right size" plan may save space and money, but I would be really upset if my high school was closing down. Also, it is always better to have more than you need than too much, that way you would always be prepared for the future. What will happen to these children if the remaining schools become overcrowded? Closing half of the schools in the district will have an extremely huge affect in the surrounding communities. The superintendent should hold off on the decision making until more information has been gathered, otherwise he might regret his choice.
http://www.cnn.com/2010/HEALTH/03/11/inhalant.abuse/index.html
ReplyDeleteIn this article, it talks about the increasing number of teens using inhalants as drugs now and days. A new national survey from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration report finds that they're using inhalants more than marijuana, hallucinogens and cocaine combined. To me, this statistic is mind boggling to me. Before reading this, I didnt think inhalants were not as big of an issue that they are in reality. They can easily be found in most homes: spray paint, shoe polish, glue, air fresheners, hair spray, nail polish, gasoline, aerosols, computer cleaners, even the refrigerant from air conditioners. All of those are also incredibly shocking to me because of how everyone sees these items on a day to day basis. I hope this statistic will be able to change for the better in the near future.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/us_and_americas/article7059489.ece
ReplyDeleteIn this article it talks about how all the victums involved in 9/11 are now sick. firefighters, police officers, construction experts and emergency workers that were exposed to the dangerous toxic smokes are in need of money. So from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, some will be getting thousands and others will get around a million dollars. Even though it wasntAmericas fault that 9/11 happend we are still taking responsibilty for the dead and injuried. I think it's really honorable of America to do that. All of the firemen and other workers fought for America that day and it's great that we can help them out in their time of need.
Mirian Avendano
http://www.cnn.com/2010/POLITICS/03/15/health.care/index.html?hpt=T2
ReplyDeletePresident Obama took his health care campaign to ohio on today. The president says he will spend time discussing why reform is important. I think this is a very good thing. People need to know more about health care and why it is important. This is a good way for the president to get the information out.
http://www.newsobserver.com/2010/03/23/403428/obama-signs-historic-938-billion.html
ReplyDeleteIn this artical, they talk about how today, Obama signed away 942 billion dollars to the 32 million american citizens who dont have health care. This is a historic event is the largest governmental policy shift since the 1960s. In this bill, people cannot be refused health care based on a pre existing condition. I think that this bill is a very good idea because it its modernizing our counrties policies with other countries around the world such as France and Canada. I think that Obama will go down in history as the president who pushed health care reform into the spot light and made it finally happen. GObama