January 7 - Last Day for "Missing" Assignments

Don't forget that Friday - January 7 is the LAST day to hand in any missing assignments like posters, Harlem Renaissance work.

U.S. Trade Pact Set With South Korea via Deal on Auto Tariffs

Name: Hannah R.

Posting: #2

Period: D

Topic: Leaders

Title: U.S. Trade Pact Set With South Korea via Deal on Auto Tariffs

Writer: Sewell Chan

Publication Name: New York Times

Publication Date: December 3, 2010

Length: 706 words

URL: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/04/business/global/04trade.html?pagewanted=1&_r=1&hp

The Obama administration and the South Korean government made an agreement that takes off the tariff on United States exports to South Korea. The Obama administration said that this deal strengthens the relationship between the United States and South Korea greatly. This deal is very beneficial to working class Americans. The current unemployment rate in the US is 9.8 percent. This new deal will, according to the Obama administration will create thousands of new jobs, and increase American exports by 10 billion dollars a year, if not more. This deal did not originate from the Obama administration itself. In fact, the idea came from the Bush administration in 2007, but failed to pass back then. The differences between the two deals are that the 2007 deal cuts off tariffs immediately, where as the 2010 deal cuts them off gradually, over a span of 5 years. The deal was supported by both democrats and republicans, creating a sense of unity between the two political groups. The deal also created support and praise for President Obama, which has not come to him in a while. In conclusion, this deal is good all around for Americans. It creates jobs, increases exports, and created a sense of unity between democrats and republicans.

Snoring, Sleep Problems May Signal Heart Risk

Name: Amy
Posting: #2
Period: D
Topic: Health
Title: Snoring, Sleep Problems May Signal Heart Risk
Writer: Amanda Gardner
Publication Name: CNN
Publication Date: December 1, 2010
Length: 676 words
URL: http://www.cnn.com/2010/HEALTH/11/30/sleep.problems.health/index.html

Summary & Conclusion:
3 years ago, researchers at the University of Pittsburgh surveyed adults from the ages of 45 and 74 about the quality of their sleep. Recently, the researchers surveyed the adults once again to find any significant information from the gathered data. It was found that those who had the tendancy to snore louder were at a larger risk to have metabolic syndrome, diabetes, stroke, high blood pressure, high triglycerides and excess belly fat. Thus, there is a direct relationship between the frequency of snoring and heart risks. It was found that 14 percent of the participants developed metabollic syndrome. In previous studies, the ink between high blood pressure, obesity, and sleep were overt. This is the first time that a connection between metabolic syndrome and sleep was found. Although, the new study cannot prove that sleep problems cause metabollic syndrome (affecting over 25% of the adults in the US). In addition, obesity may be the link for sleep issues and metabollic syndrome. Researchers continue to look for findings. Doctors are now deciding on incorporating questions into monthly checkups that ask of one's sleep because of the gathered information.
Overall, the findings of the link between sleep problems and metabollic syndrome have raised much awareness for the doctors. The doctors are now taking action and asking their patients of any sleep disturbances that have occured recently. Not only is snoring linked to metabollic syndrome, it can increase potentially damaging inflammation in the linings of arteries due to the vibrations caused by snoring.

I am glad that the researchers have found the link because this extra bit of information will make a big difference. If there's a link between obesity, sleep problems and metabollic syndrome, certain precautions may be taken in the future that will allow a decrease in health issues. Each finding is always a contribution to the rise of our health curations.

The Tao of Moonbeam

Souleymane
Publication Name: The New York Times
Writer: Timothy Egan
Date of Publication: 17 November 2010

Finally, after a long campaign and bitter voting lines, California has a new governor; Jerry Brown. The 72 year old couldn't have chosen a worse time to run for office in this state. Governor Schwarzenegger had said, "Our wallet is empty. Our bank is closed. Our credit is dried up." The Golden State has become the France of America. In the last year, 2.2 million Californians lost their jobs. Brown will take office in the first week of January, it will be his third term as Governor. He was studying to become a priest at a Jesuit seminary when his father was Governor in 1959. As a young man, he attended Yale Law School, served two terms as Governor, ran three times for President, became mayor of Oakland and attorney general. "Old people have a lot of good ideas,"he said on the campaign trail. Jerry Brown just might fix all of our problems this term, or not, we will have to wait and see.

I have faith in the Democratic party. I'm glad we have another Democratic win and especially one with a well qualified and experienced candidate. Jerry Brown was Governor two other times and already knows the ropes.

Deforestation Slows as Brazil Chugs Toward a Goal

Name: Asuka

Posting: #2

Period: D

Topic: Science/Tech

Title: Deforestation Slows as Brazil Chugs Toward a Goal

Writer: Elisabeth Rosenthal

Publication Date: December 2, 2010

Length: 451 words

http://green.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/12/02/deforestation-slows-as-brazil-chugs-toward-a-goal/?pagemode=print

President Luiz Inácio Lula de Silva in Brazil is trying to reduce greenhouse gas emission by combatting deforestation of the Amazon. He is committed to reducing it to 39 percent by 2020. It has been gradually reduced since 2000. Now, deforestation of the Amazon is dropped to 2500 miles a year which was half of what it was two years ago and third of what it was in 2000. Deforestation must be dropped for its negative impact on the environment. One reason is that it emits huge amount of carbon dioxide called black carbon when forests are burned. Another reason tropical forests are necessary is because they are one of the world’s greatest carbon sinks. Although, deforestation is taken place to make way for large scale-farming and ranching and harvesting wood, but also trees have been cut down in parts of Asia to be able to grow biofuel trees, such as palm trees, that are less harmful to the environment than the fossil fuels. The president plans to achieve this goal by using a satellite that detects illegal cutting, deep in the jungle. He also set up pioneered programs which is a system where landowners can be paid for keeping their trees standing, so they can at least reduce financial incentive for illegal logging.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, Brazil is making progress with their commitment to reduce deforestation in the Amazon. They recognized the problems their country faces so environmentally harmful acts will cease. Although no major leaders are attending the climate conference in Cancún, Mexico this week, the environmental problem is an important issue that the world needs to act on.

House, Senate Democrats: no tax cut extension over $250,000

Name: Robert
Posting: #2
Period: D
Topic: Leaders
Title: House, Senate Democrats: no tax cut extension over $250,000
Writers: Alan Silverleib, Dana Bash, Deirdre Walsh, Evan Glass, and Ted Barrett
Publication Date: December 2nd, 2010
Length: 1075 words
http://www.cnn.com/2010/POLITICS/12/02/tax.vote/index.html

On Thursday December 2^nd, there was a clash between Democrats and Republicans over the extension of Bush-era tax cuts. Earlier, the House of Representatives had passed a measure to allow the Bush-era tax cuts to expire December 31^st, for incomes over $250,000. The tax cuts for lower incomes and the Alternative Minimum Tax limit would remain unscathed for 2 more years, this was supported by Democrats and staunchly opposed by Republicans. The Republican Senators decided on Monday to halt the final vote on legislative business, until Congress has “prevented the tax increase that is currently awaiting all American taxpayers.” Democrats including President Obama however argued that the tax cuts would cost $700 billion and would be irresponsible of the country. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi even accused Republicans of pushing tax breaks for the wealthy. Republicans argued back that the taxes would halt economic progression, especially in a recession. However, economic studies have shown that the demographic being targeted for tax breaks, would more often than not invest in stocks or other assets rather than invest in creating new jobs. If the measure were to pass, Democrats are attempting to force the Republicans to make concessions. These concessions would include extensions of unemployment benefits, extension of college tuition tax credits, extension of “make work pay” tax credits, and the extension of tax credits for businesses that hire unemployed workers.

In conclusion, the argument between the Democrats and Republicans is about the Bush-era tax cuts, and whether or not to extend them. This is just another example of partisan politics at it’s best, neither the Democrats nor the Republicans are currently willing to make any concessions, simply for the sake of arguing. With the economy in the state that it is currently in, the effect of losing the Bush-era tax breaks it still for the most part unknown, and it’s up to our leaders in the Senate to decide what course to send America on.

Personally, I believe that these Bush-era tax cuts for incomes over $250,000 should’ve expired long ago. People who make over $250,000 have more than enough money to support themselves and pay taxes, it’s the lower incomes of struggling families that needs to be taxed lower. On top of the logical argument, there is also the factual argument. If the people getting tax breaks aren’t going to invest in the nation’s well being, then they shouldn’t be receiving exorbitant tax breaks.

Obama Orders Pay Freeze

Name: David

Period: D

Current Event Posting #2

Topic: Leaders (national)

Title: Amid Deficit Fears, Obama Freezes Pay

Writers: Peter Baker and Jackie Calmes

Publication Name: NY Times

Date of Publication: 11-29-10

Length: 1,192 words

URL: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/30/us/politics/30freeze.html?_r=1&ref=us

President Obama announced on Monday that he is in favor of a pay freeze for federal workers for at least two years. His goal is to save government money and try to limit the national debt that is currently growing extremely fast. If the plan is adopted and kept for ten years, there is a potential for the government to save over $60 billion, although right now it is only a two year plan. Obama’s pay freeze will eliminate a 1.4 percent pay increase for 2.1 million federal workers, and there will be no pay raise in 2012. However, this plan does not affect the military wages, which will continue the same way they have been. This issue is sure to be on the agenda this week for the House and Senate, who will have a say in the matter. The issue is very controversial because the debt was over $1 trillion in the past two years. The amount of money that the government will save with Obama’s two year plan is only $5 billion, just a fraction of the national debt. Many people opposing the plan think that it will not have any significance in the long run because it is such a small proportion of the debt. However, the plan looks fairly promising because many Republicans have been supporting this pay freeze for months, and if Obama can win support of both parties it should be passed relatively soon.

In conclusion, Obama is trying to take steps to help minimize the national debt that is growing at an immense rate. This shows that although nothing has worked extremely well yet, the national debt and government spending is one of the government’s top priorities. Everyone is in favor of eliminating the debt, but some people just don’t think that Obama’s two year plan is a good way of doing it. Obama’s plan may be passed very soon if the House and Senate are in favor of it, and could take effect this year.