Online Learning Expands at K-12 Level

Name: David

Period: D

Topic: Education

Current Event Posting #1

Title: Anytime, Anywhere

Writer: Carlo Rotella

Publication Name: NY Times

Date of Publication: 9-16-10

Length: 450

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/19/magazine/19Essays-online-t.html?_r=2&ref=education

Online courses and software programs in schools have been increasing in great numbers recently. According to a study done of the K-12 levels in school, there were only 50,000 students enrolled in online courses in 2000. As of 2008, there were over a million students enrolled in partially or completely online courses. Also, almost 200,000 of these students are in online virtual schools for 100% of their education. These online classes apply to students from all levels in school, from those enrolled in AP classes to those who are looking to receive credit so they do not have to drop out of high school. President Obama and the Department of Education are strong supporters of online courses and this will be a big part of the National Education Technology Plan that will be released later this month. Some people disagree with online education but most are in favor of it as it would allow people to take many classes that not all districts are capable of offering.

In conclusion, online courses and classes have been significantly increasing in popularity over the past several years. These are good for people of every learning style and level because they offer classes of all types. I think that this is a great improvement for our country’s education because students can enroll in any classes and are not just limited to those offered in their schools or districts.

Colbert Storms Capitol Hill for Migrant Workers

Name: Robert
Posting: #1
Period D
Topic: Civil Rights
Title: Colbert Storms Capitol Hill for Migrant Workers
Writer: Alan Silverleib
Publication Date: September 24, 2010
Length: 914
http://www.cnn.com/2010/POLITICS/09/24/colbert.house.immigration/index.html

On September 24^th, the host of the Colbert Report, Stephen Colbert testified on Capitol Hill about the civil rights of migrant workers working in the United States. Republicans claimed that migrant workers and a lack of enforcement of immigration laws took jobs away from U.S. citizens. However, Democrats brought up the point that while some Americans would take these hard jobs, most Americans would actually prefer to have no job, than an exceeding difficult one. Colbert brought both his sense of humor as well as a more serious side for his testimony. Colbert often poked fun at the migrant workers and the obesity rate. His jokes even at one point made Michigan Representative John Conyers ask him to leave. However, Colbert got serious giving a testimony saying that migrant workers have no civil rights.

In conclusion, the dispute between Democrats and Republicans is based upon the enforcement of immigration laws and migrant workers. Whether or not Colbert’s appearance will effect the Congress’ decision, however his appearance will definitely bring more attention to the topic.

I believe that neither the Democrats nor the Republicans have the perfect solution to the problem at hand. While I believe that we should be enforcing immigration policies a bit more efficiently, I also believe that migrant workers deserve certain civil rights. I believe that by increasing the enforcement of immigration laws as well as the allowance of migrant workers would be most beneficial to this country’s well-being.

Name: Maddy D

Posting Number 1

Period: D

Topic: Health

Title: Can a bigger booze tax reduce disease, crime?

Writer: Carina Storrs

Publication Date: September 24^th, 2010

Word Count: 254

Article: http://www.cnn.com/2010/HEALTH/09/24/health.booze.tax/index.html

Summary: The use of alcohol has many downsides that are overseen in today's culture in America. Alcohol abuse includes diseases, car crashes, injuries and crimes; these are leading causes of preventable deaths in the US. With a higher taxation on alcohol, for example by doubling the current state taxes on alcohol, the state could lower all alcohol related deaths by 35%. By raising taxes it has been proven that unhealthy behaviors are often minimized. Not only would crime, and car crashes be decreased but also many diseases such as depression, liver disease and more would be greatly effected. Drinking impairs ones thinking and judgment which has been known to lead to more dangerous behaviors, leading to sexual diseases and drunk driving.

Conclusion: In conclusion, public health and safety would have many gains from a higher taxation on alcohol. With a slight raise in taxes, the drinking level would slightly decrease as a cause of this, even with this slight decrease, public health would get largely impacted and would it would receive measurable gains. Price has a big impact on society and really effects the way people act and live, so as proven with cigarettes, when they received higher pricing and taxation, the use of them clearly decreased. I think this would be a good idea, because it is a only raising the tax by a slight amount and this would have a huge effect on the societies safety, health and much more. I think it would be a very good thing for America’s culture.

Cold War Enemies Working Together

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Name: Scott

Post Number: 1

Topic: Tech/Sci

Title: Six Month mission ends with Soyuz landing

Writer: William Harwood

Publication Name: Cnet News

Date of Publication: Sept 25, 2010

Length:

http://news.cnet.com/8301-19514_3-20017636-239.html

After 176 days in space Alexander Skvortsov, Tracy Caldwell Dyson, and Mikhail Kornienko land on earth safely. The two cosmonauts and one NASA astronaut landed safely in Kazakhstan after they left the International Space Station on Friday. The six month long mission went relatively uninterrupted until late July when two coolant loops shut down due to a failure on one of the ammonia pumps. Caldwell Dyson and Douglas Wheelock preformed three complex space walks to repair the pumps. The space station crew was forced to turn off major systems that prevented the space station from overheating.
In Conclusion, the group made it home safely after their six month long mission and for the most part are in good shape. Dyson said that she is upset that she won’t be able to see her Russian counter-parts for the next couple weeks but she will live.

Suspect sets fire to house, surrenders in Texas standoff, police say

Name: Laura

Period: D

Post number: 1

Topic: Crime
Title: Suspect sets fire to house, surrenders in Texas standoff, police say
Writer: CNN Wire Staff
Publication Name: CNN
Date of Publication: September 18, 2010.
Length: 457 words
http://articles.cnn.com/2010-09-18/justice/texas.standoff_1_armored-vehicles-standoff-texas-police?_s=PM:CRIME

Victor White, 55 year-old supposed white supremacist lit his house on fire after turning himself in to the police at 2 pm on Saturday, September 18^th. White survived the fire but was sent to the hospital for burns. The day prior White shot three men outside of his house in Odessa, Texas. Two of the men were police officers, and one of them was a civilian. When two police officers arrived at White’s home to repossess something from him, which somehow prompted the shootings. Luckily both men weren’t killed, but after a few more shots they could have been. There is still an investigation going on, and no one is completely sure why White decided to burn his house down in the first place. Police believe that White is linked to the white supremacist group, ‘Republic of Texas’. Officials also say that White had a history of hatred toward law enforcement, which also attributed to the shootings.

In Conclusion, Victor White was an aggressive man and was clearly emotionally instable. He dealt the situation in a violent way instead of handling it normally. Because of his involvement with a white supremacist group, racial hatred was probably a factor of his violence along with his annoyance with law enforcement. There’s no clear reason why he decided to light his house on fire before turning himself in, and the details are still under investigation.

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Name: Carson
Current Event Posting Number: 1
Period: D
Topic: Civil Rights

Title: Florida appeals court strikes down gay adoption ban

Writer: the CNN Wire Staff
Publication Name: CNN News
Date of Publication: September 22, 2010
Length: 721 words
http://www.cnn.com/2010/US/09/22/florida.gay.adoptions/index.html?npt=NP1

A law in Florida was dismantled by an appeals court in the southern state, which banned gay men and women from adopting children, ruling that the ban was unconstitutional. The current Governor, Charlie Crist, also running for a Senate seat said that he was pleased with the court ruling that lifted the ban, and that the state of Florida was no longer enforcing the law. Interestingly, a former Republican, Crist supported the ban. The current case was brought to court by a man who was a foster parent licensed by the government who wanted to adopt two boys that were put into his care, but was unable to do so because of his sexual orientation. The ban was put in place because "there is a rational basis for the prohibition on homosexual adoption [i.e.] children will have better role models, and face less discrimination, if they are placed in non-homosexual households, preferably with a husband and wife as the parents" (Page 1). It is now removed under the ruling that the ban violated constitutional rights, and was not in the best interest of the child.

In conclusion, Florida has lifted the ban, stating that homosexual couples are prohibited from adopting children. Although this is a victory in terms of human rights, and homosexual rights, the country as a whole still has a long way to go in becoming completely unbiased, if that is at all possible. Hopefully the country can make an example out of this Florida ruling, and start making those steps towards equality

Multiple Benefits to DEA's Prescription Take-Back

Name: Madison

Period: D

Topic: Health

Current Even Posting #1

Title: Multiple Benefits to DEA's Prescription Take-Back

Writer: T.J. Winick

Publication Name: ABC News

Date of Publication: September 26, 2010

Length:

Website: http://abcnews.go.com/Health/dea-sets-prescrption-drug-back-points/story?id=11731886

Summery:

Pain Killers and other prescription medication are growing rappidley threw out the United States. This weekend the DEA set up over 4,000 "take back" drop off places across the country. Where citizens of the United States could drop off expired, unused, or unwanted medication. There new effort is to try and shut down Americas growing drug problem. Kids now are not buying drugs but finding drugs at home, and getting a high off of them. Many kids have gotten seriously hurt and sick from taking prescription drugs, and the numbers are only growing. Also disposing the medication the right way makes our water that we use in our homes safer. Last year there was a local "take back" program set up by the DEA and local officials in New Jersey. About 9,000 pounds of medication, which is about 35 million dollars, was dropped off at this "take back" spot.

Conclusion:

These take back spots can only do good for the United States. Trying to stop the growth of this drug use can only see positive results. The DEA are making the right steps to helping America stop its rapid drug growth. Not only does these "take back" spots help stop the drug movement but it also helps our public water, making it safer to drink, and use.