Last Senior Reflection

Looking back on the year it is crazy to think we are done with high school. High school just got better each year I went to it and i am sure ill miss it. I wished that i tried a little harder freshman year when it was the easiest. Sophomore year was tough with chemistry but I enjoyed the class because I am more of a math and science guy. Junior year was when I had my set group of friends a I started to become tired with school. Senior year it is true the last part of the year you just will not want to be doing anything.

Last Current Event

Sunday, June 13, 2010

Washington Post- Living in Southeast, driving to Virginia for a job

By Dana Hedgpeth

Companies are starting to hire but some still are struggling to find a job. People are struggling to find jobs in the current economy and congress is trying to help. Congress has spent close to $600 billion on creating jobs for the public and also benefits for the unemployed. One lady spent a month as a temp at a Hospital but got laid off. A class has been trying to help improve her resume and help the lady get a job. A lot of people have been seeing the increase in the unemployment rate. Ever since 2008 the unemployment rate raised to a little under 30% right before 2010. Right now it is currently at 25% on a decline. The city program, in ward 8, has spent $27 million in trying to create jobs and increase employment. But As more people become laid off more jobs are needed to supply the population of unemployed. Money is being spent to help those without jobs.

I chose the article because I was interested in how the current economy was. It crazy to see the condition D.C is compared to the rest of the United States. Living in Fairfax county we are kind of blocked off from the poorer parts of the nation. The city the article was discussing said that only 7.2% of the city's population has a bachelor's degree. The article was very interesting and it was well written.

Senior Reflection #3

It driving me crazy that year has still not ended. All the other schools that have already gotten out and my brothers back from college makes me want to just slack off. It hard to stay focus on these very last weeks of my high school years. Each weekend it feels like summer but then we are back to school again. My dad keeps bringing up the vacation that we are going on right after beach week. He decided that we are going to Panama not anywhere in Europe anymore. I am interested to see Panama and we plan on going hiking, kayaking, and fishing. But we still have a few weeks of school to go....

Current Event #3

Sunday, June 6, 2010
Washington Post- An econsystem that is altered perhaps forever
By Joel Achenbach and David Brown

Although this current oil spill, which is off coast of Louisiana, is not the worst in history it is rapidly coming close to it. The Ixtoc spill in 1979 is the one that still stands ahead of this spill. The spill is still not under complete containment after the cap that the British Petroleum engineers lowered into the mile deep geyser. About close to a half of the flow is being piped to a surface ship. If the governments estimates are correct there is about 23 million to 47 million barrels of oil that have spilled into the gulf so far. One of the National Wildlife Federation scientists said this spill will be lasting for years or worse decades to come. Some of the effects of this disaster are animals like seagulls soaked and suffocating on the coast. The oil which is still sitting around is effecting the the life in the gulf and environmentalist are worried, looking back at the detrimental effect of the past oil spills.

I never really knew that there have been so many oil spills in the past. It is terrible that we haven't yet found alternate energy or ways to prevent this from happening. I have been very interested in this oil spill and seeing the progress of it as we try to rid it from the ocean which is almost impossible. Other oil spills wiped out large populations of life and it is evident in this article the effect on seagulls. The is a picture of a man cleaning a drenched seagull suffocating from the large amount of oil. Also we cannot figure out the direct impact on this spill but we will figure it out in later years to come. I really did enjoy this article learning about the previous spills and the impact on the wildlife.

Senior Reflection #2

Senior year summer is the summer that I have been looking forward to the most. I cannot believe that my high school years are almost over and I will be looking back on this years wondering were they have gone. Summer this year consists of beach week, camping, fishing trips, and a big trip with my family. Beach week is probably one thing seniors wait for because its a week with all your high school friends with little or no supervision as dangerous as that sounds. I have yet to decide where we are going to camp but I am hoping a bunch of friend will want to go. Fishing trips with my dad and brothers happen every summer. My dad enjoys it the most because he love trout fishing. It reminds him of his younger years. Our big family trip is not planned quite yet but we looking into going to a place in Europe most likely.

Current Event #2

Sunday, May 23, 2010
Washington Post- The mercurial nature of George Huguely
By Davod Malakura, Steve Yanda and Deniel de Vise

University of Virginia Men's Lacross team was ranks best in the nation. They just won their last regular season game which was the day before the murder. Huguely kick down the door to his ex-girlfriends apartment, Yeardley Love, and smashed her head against the wall several times. This side of Huguely was unknown to his friends and lacross teamates. Coaches, players, and trainers could not believe this terrible act was committed by this very person they have known for some time. While the UVA lacross team is playing in the tournament, Huguely is staying in a 4-by-8 foot jail cell. Huguely has former encounter's with the law like threatening a police officer but the players don't believe something this serious was done by their teamate. Yeardley Love was a respected player on and off the field and was a strong player for the womens lacross team. This horrible murder has been all over the news and has been talked about for weeks.

Huguely's actions imprisioned him and now the lacross team has this extra burden to worry about while playing in the tournament. This murder reflects badley not only on the family but the college as well, UVA. People now argue that universities should now have more information on individuals who commit crime that are students. Colleges have been stepping up having kids give their cell phone number so the university can inform students about safety issues. I don't know what more colleges can do this murder seems like a freak accident and may have colleges step up in their safety measures. I did enjoy this article I have seen this story all over the news and papers. The article was very interesting highlighting new points I did not previously know about.

Senior Reflection #1

Senior year has been the best year by far during my high school career. At this time of the year more students are just waiting for the year to end. Seniors at this point have figured out what their doing whether its getting a job after the years over or going to college next year. Next year I will been attending James Madison University, were my oldest brother who is four years older than me just graduated. I have not decided on a major for college although like most people I am looking at the school of business at JMU. The business major at JMU appeals to me the most because it is a high rated school in the business department and has about a ninety percent chance that you get a job right after college. For now I am just enjoying senior year while I can and looking at different majors that I may be interested in.

Current Event #1

Sunday, May 16, 2010
Washington Post- Uncertainty in an unseen world
By Joel Achenbach

This article talks about the estimated long term effects of the oil spill on the ecosystem in the gulf. There is one species call an isopod or Bathynomus giganteus who scavenges at the bottor of the gulf for rotten flesh. Also the fan corals, lacylike dolies, and other species living at the floor of the gulf are being effected by the oil spill significantly. Scientist have still yet to find what they need to do to remove the oil from the ocean. The bottom of the sea is so unknown we know more about the moon that we do of the bottom of the gulf. Some scientists believe species in spill will adapt to the oil changing their ways of like for example changing photosynthesis to chemosynthesis. The complexity of the ocean is one things scientists are still figuring out but they are still trying to answer where has all the oil gone. Most people guess to the bottom but we are not certain. All the oil seems to have disappeared but they dont think thats the case.

I chose this article because of the discussion we had about the oil spill in the gulf of Friday. As i looked through the news paper I saw this one remembering we recently talked about it and I wanted to learn more. The article was very interest learning that scientist believe the species effected by the oil spill are going to adapt to the spill. I really did enjoy reading this article because of all the guesses people were making to what will happen to the species in the spill and where has all the oil gone.

Editorial #5

Editorial- Published March 20, 2010
Link- http://nytimes.com/2010/03/21/opinion/21sun1.html

A Plan for Broadband

The Federal Communications Commission's strategy to replace telephones with high speed Internet as the nations primary source of communication could not come at a better time. Surprisingly America is behind in building the physical systems in order to support the transformation. Americans have fewer than 27 out of 100 people with broadband service compared to 38 in the Netherlands and 33 in Korea. It would also hard to switch because of the elderly population which have no access to broadband technology. This idea of the FCC supports the competition between service providers and will provide investment in the broadband network. Most of the large TV broadcasters and telecommunication companies are against this transformation. The writer thinks that the reason why Internet services provide such high costs but with low speed is due to the lack of competition. FCC's authority is being reviewed in court and there power is very limited. Congress needs to approve a plan that will give more priority to the Internet.

This plan maybe the step in the right direction. We do seem to be slowing down and need to allow easier access to the Internet. Although i disagree it is the right time. Our government already is struggling to pay off the debt in the recession but adding $8 billion a year may be a little much. We are already trying to decrease our spending in other more important programs. This transformation though doesn't look like it will take place quite yet but hopefully we will find a way to make it happen without increasing the debt.

Editorial #4

Editorial- Published March 12, 2010
Link- http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/13/opinion/13sat2.html

Something Worse than Inaction

The House passed a bill last year that puts an economywide cap on emissions, but the Senate has yet to pass the bill. The Environment Protection Agency would use its Clean Air act authority to regulate greenhouse gases. Senators have changed their mind and now want to undercut the EPA's regulatory authority. Republicans and Democrats say they care about climate change but believe the President should stand aside and wait till congress deals with it. Now there is an idea that would reject the recent findings by the EPA that greenhouse gases are a danger to people's health and welfare. This idea would not only reject this finding but also stop the agreement to stop or reduce the emissions from cars and trucks. There is also another bill that would stop the agency from proposing regulations on emissions. The writer believe that congress is making a huge mistake trying to stop the government from making regulations on greenhouse gas emissions.

I do agree with this editorial. The change in our government in having no regualtions on these emission could be devastating to nature and may speed the process of climate change. Congress needs to continue pushing bills to make America a more ecofriendly country because we are one the greatest if the not the greatest in greenhouse gas emissions. Although these bills may not pass it was still a bad idea to stop the EPA from regualting the emissions for that is what this agency should be doing.

Editorial #3

Editorial- Published March 6, 2010
Link- http://nytimes.com/2010/03/07/opinion/07sun1.html

If Reform Fails

This article is taking about the effect that healthcare could have. The debate between Obama and congress has been an on going process and we need to think about how significant the bill is for the better or worse. The writer believes that this bill could benefit our country. He says the government will have all citizens insured, if not they pay a penalty. If you are lower or middle class you will receive help from the government making sure that everyone is able to pay their premiums. This is mostly helping out small businesses and individuals who need better healthcare coverage. This bill will allow everyone to become insured even those who now are denied because of their past or present health issues. The writer thinks this bill will increase quality from medicare and lower the cost of medicare as well. The author also state that 46 million people were uninsured as of 2008 and will be sure to spike as the coverage cost increase. Also people who are uninsure will hesitate to go to the doctor because of the high costs.

Although i believe that this healthcare will help out, i think the author may be exaggerating it. If the bill becomes enacted i don't think the change from government covered healthcare will be smooth. It would be a long process making sure everyone is covered. The lower costs will help competition between the healthcare insurers. The idea that everyone cannot be turned down from healthcare will be very healthful for those that need help paying off massive healthcare bills. I'm not sure how the bill will help the quality of medicare but i guess the government can regulate more. I guess no one really knows what the effect of this bill will be but we still have to wait to see if it will be passed by congress.

Editorial #2

Editorial- Published February 25, 2010
Link- http://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/26/opinion/26fri1.html

After the Health Care Summit

The healthcare bill has caused a big dispute between the Democrats and the Republicans. At the meeting President Obama tried to sway opinions for the bill explaining how it would provide healthcare for 30 million that are currently uninsured. It also provided a way to cut the rising cost of the medical care deficits. The minority party leader said that the United States has the "best healthcare in the world." Thursdays meeting tried to bring arguments to an end to finally see if the healthcare bill could be passed. Each party tried to implement their own ideas into the bill but it seems like the bill will not be passed. Republicans tried to tear Obama's plan apart saying that the bill will not pass unless we start all over. The author of this editorial believes that the speaker of the house, Nancy Pelosi, should push the house to agree with the senates final bill. The author also says that obama needs to identify how significant the bill will be and how it can change uninsured peoples lives for the better.

The author seems to be optimistic on the bill passing. I don't agree with that I believe that Obama will have to start over like the Republicans said because they will not pass the bill. I also don't agree with the auther how he/she says that Obama needs to explain how important the bill is. I think the president has explain that showing that it will allow 30 million americans, who are currently uninsured, to become insured. I don't think its the presidents fault it is the house and senate have to come upon an agreement with one another. I think it will take awhile for them to agree although the author brought up a good point pushing the house to agree with the senates plan but who knows if it will ever happen.

Editorial #1

Editorial- Published February 11, 2010
Link- http://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/12/opinion/12fri3.html

Cell Phones and Privacy

This article discusses how phones are a device which holds personal information on it which should be protected by the law. Cell phones have adapted over the years to hold more information and it is like a walking diary, it holds information that the person carrying wants to keep safe. Cell phone providers can see where you are at any given moment in time which may concern many people. The writer brought up that this "tracking device" can expose to what you are doing like attending a religous service or involvment in a protest. Some of these are things that people want to keep private. Police have used cell phone providers to find suspects to a crime in which they may or may not have committed. The writer also say that "the fourth amendment requires the government to obtain a search warrent for locational records after showing probable cause for connecting the phone user to criminal activity." The writer believes that if the court allows the government to obtain these records without probable cause it will impact the privacy of people. Is the government doing the right thing just to protect us or are they abusing this power.

As we have discussed in class the amendments do not specify privacy through technology because the creators of the constitution did not have these technological advancements back then. Therefore, many argue the governement abuses this power and since it is not stated in the constitution then they can track us down by using our cell phone providers. I think this is much like the government tapping into our phone lines and listening to our conversation. The government does not care or report harmless day to day activities but they look for suspicouis activities which may be against the law. The government is trying to protect us from criminals and does not care about if we are at church or involved in a protest. I think people are simply overreacting. If the government is truely abusing this power then have them get a warrent but I believe the government is simply trying to protect the community.

Political Cartoon #6

Political Cartoon- http://politicalcartoons.com/cartoon/81a16f4e-ecfc-4d35-8897-b1084d150acb.html

1. This cartoon was drawn by Patrick Chappette.
2. This cartoon was published by Le Temps.
3. This cartoon deals with the massive earthquake that hit Haiti on January 12, 2010.
4. The cartoon is showing up that one of the poorest countries has been hit by an earthquake and now it is going to need as much help as it can get. Haiti is going to need a "helping hand".
5. I do agree with the cartoon that Haiti is going to need all the support it can get and I have seen a lot of support from the United States. Our government is going have to step in and hopefully we will see if we can rebuild Haiti for the better. The previous state of Haiti before the earthquake was terrible but I can't imagine how bad it is now.

Question of the Week #6

A 7.0 magnitude earthquake hit Port-au-prince about 5 days in Haiti. Although the earthquake was only a minute long it managed to kill thousands and destroy numerous buildings. Haiti is one least developed countries in the world and in recent years has been struggling with various crisis like healthcare, annual hurricanes, and severe environment degration. This country is disputably the poorest country on the west coast with approximatley four out of five living in poverty. Environmental degration, like deforestation and unarable land, has left the country looking for a better way of obtaining food. The earthquake has made Haiti looking for help with the capital almost completely destroyed. This was the worst earthquake in about 200 years and a predicted 50,000 or more are dead from this tragity.

Political Cartoon #5

Political Cartoon-
http://politicalhumor.about.com/od/politicalcartoons/ig/Political-Cartoons/Full-Body-Scan.htm

1. The political cartoon was drawn by Matt Handelsman
2. This political cartoon was published by 2010 Newsday
3. This cartoon deals with the Healthcare plan and the al-Qaeda member having a gun at the airport.
4. The cartoons is showing us that we have flaws in the healthcare plan not being able to provide us with everything we need. It also is showing us that they are trying to increase security at airport by making full body scans at the airport. This was brough about because of the al-Qaeda member having a gun at the airport.
5. I do agree with it that there is probably flaws in the plan which need to be revised. I believe that no matter how much we revise it someone will always point out the imperfections in the bill. But we are still waiting for it to be passed....

Question of the Week #5

It is 2010 and the Obama administration is looking for an end for the healthcare bill plan to become available. It isn't looking like we will have the plan for awhile now one to two more years. I think Obama got off to a good but slow start. He moved many troops out of Iraq and sent more troops into Afghanistan. I think we have Iraq in the back of our minds but the government is focusing on Afghanistan right now. There currently has been not many issues in Iraq as we focus on Iran and Afghanistan but primarily Afghanistan.

But besides the fight to end terrorism, The economic downturn is still going strong and the US is hoping for an end. It seems the economy is up and down but no to the point where we need it to be. Obama administration, with all the current issues going on, needs to help end this recession for it has been going on long enouigh. But I think we will be stuck in this recession for awhile because we are focusing on fighting in iraq and making additions to the healthcare bill.