BR 12-16-13

Top Ten list of events of 2013

1. Economy; Our economy has yet again made changes by passing ObamaCare, and the debt is still sky high. 
2. Gun Control; Gun control has become a bigger obstacle with the tragic shootings of Sandy Hook, and all the other tragedies that have occurred over the years. Arguments are still being held over this situation though. 
3. Gay Marriage; Gay marriage has, for some reason, grew into a larger problem in the past couple of years and this year its reached some high points. There have been many uprisings around here that involve equality. 
4. Labor-union issues; many jobs have had several employees going on a strike just recently to show just how much the pay cuts certain companies have been making. 
5. Marijuana Legalization; many people have brought up the argument of medicinal marijuana, and how it should be legalized while several others are fighting that any kind of marijuana should be legalized. They fight saying that it's no different than alcohol or tobacco products, and that it is actually less likely to kill people than the other substances. 
6. Miley Cyrus; Miley has just recently proved to the world that she has officially grown up and this may not be such a good thing. She's also brought forward the now famous twerking...
7. Government shutdown; The government decided they also needed to go on a strike and put the government on shutdown for a couple weeks. 

to be finished..... (sorry, i was mediating.)

BR 12-11-13

1. I believe that if they have reason to snoop then they can, just as they need a justified reason to come in to your house or pull you over.
2. We still have privacy so its not a thing of the past but, it is increasingly becoming more of everyone else's business so it could become a thing of the past later on.

BR 11-18-13

I believe that they should be allowed to have prayer because everyone has the right to not join with the prayer being said.

BR 11-1313

I believe that in this case, it should be the trainers choice on whether or not they come in contact with the whale. The should have some restriction, but when it comes to contact, i honestly do think it should be their own choice if they put their life in danger.

BR 11-12-13

I believe that, if in that situation, I would have called it my time too. I would not have enjoyed being on a breathing tube along with paralysis the rest of my life, not being able to do anything i wanted to. It would be a life of misery.

BR 11-6-13

I believe that this should not even be a problem. How is it any different than Wal-Mart or Sheetz? It's not. People work in shifts anyways so i don't see why this is such a big deal.

BR 11-4-13

1. it will decrease the number of voters.
2. some people won't be able to vote.

BR 11-1-13

Shooting a teen for a classic Halloween prank of toilet-papering the principal's house is definitely not "justifiable" by any means even if they weren't critically injured. This says that society is getting very tense.

BR Halloween day!

I believe this letter is too harsh, because it is going to put children down about themselves. Halloween is about candy and dressing up, not about receiving a letter saying that they are overweight. I also believe that it is her right so, whatever. I just know i'd be pretty disappointed if i got a letter saying i was fat instead of candy.

My favorite candy is Reese's & Snickers ☺

10-30-13 assignment

 This specific cartoon is geared towards Miley Cyrus and how she's went off the deep-end. The man is saying that giving Miley Cyrus too much attention has caused her to act out in profane ways.

 This cartoon is showing that we aren't the only country that has considered using spying techniques to gather more information on terrorist attacks and bombings. It is probably exaggerating the amount of government systems actually using this form of "protection".

This Cartoon is implying that having all of our school safety drills actually just scares the children a little more especially when they are being bombarded with drills the first day. 

This cartoon is being a little sarcastic with the fact that the name should not have been changed just because some people thought it was offensive. Everyone's going to think something is offensive so are they going to get rid of almost everything?

This cartoon infers that our younger generation is so affected by what we see on tv and the internet that they don't know any different when it comes to something completely opposite like twerking and football. This just proves that our younger generations are overly affected by what goes on in the social lives of others. 

BR 10-30-13

Young voters are becoming more involved in the voting process and a majority are siding with the democratic side. This is causing a trend throughout Virginia turning the state into a democratic state. Other states may follow in with this trend by getting new voters involved.

Debate Questions

Greg & Hunter: Do you have any significant proof that lowering the drinking age will cause problems?
Dakota & Dillon: Why do you believe the drinking age should be lowered?

BR 10-29-13

1. I believe the fat test is legal because they have continued to do it for several years
2. No, eating healthy and exercising makes you "fit"
3. I'm not sure. I guess it just depends on the majority vote.

BR 10-28-13

I don't see the point in waving the flag to make a big deal. I believe that the writer's opinion is correct. I personally don't think that any of the people involved actually understand the actual significance of the confederates flag.

Polls

Poll 1: Post-Moderate along with 13% of the public

Poll 2: Average republican

Poll 3: 

Economic Left/Right: 0.62
Social Libertarian/Authoritarian: 0.56

Poll 4: 65% Conservative, 35% Liberal
Poll 5: Centrist; personal issues score- 60% , economic issues score- 70%

Paragraph:
Well, unfortunately I was categorized differently on each of the polls i completed. I was named a Post-Moderate, a Republican, a Conservative, and also a Centrist, so i would believe that I am currently balancing between the political parties. I am not going to refer to myself as any certain political reference yet until I have become fully decided on which party I best fit in. I fit well in each of the parties depending on what the topic is, so I don't want to label myself as any one party when i'm still unsure.

Assignment 10-22-13

1.        For each of the parties listed below, identify the 1-the party’s major beliefs 2-the groups that generally supported the party. 

Origins  (to 1800)

Antifederalists:

1. believed that the Constitution of the United States did not adequately protect the people of the United States against tyranny

2. Democrat-Republicans

Federlaists: 

1. supported the ratification of the new constitution

2. They support a strong national government

1800-1860

Democrats:

1. known as the know nothing government

2. Supported by some democrats, and Thomas Jefferson

Whigs:

1. supporters of the British political parties

2. supported by the british 

1860-1932

Democrats:

1. opposed a strong federal rule.

2. The people supported it

Republicans:

1. advocated economic growth for Americans

2. pretended to support African-Americans

                          

1932-1968

Democrats: 

1. supported the creation of more jobs and the new deal.

2. supported by other republicans

Republicans:

1. 

BR 10-22-13

This article would not have caught my attention unless brought forward. This man clearly is not in so much pain that he feels he needs to have a lawsuit filed. If he could push that rock, I personally believe he should not get any disability claims, because he's not in that bad of shape, especially if he's pushing a rock nearly twice his size.

BR 10-21-13

It is so hard to break away from our devices because we use them daily, and they have become a basic part of our everyday lives. I can live without my devices because my family likes to take weekend trips to places where theres zero service so i have to live without them. If it was a choice i would not live without them though.

BR 10-17-13

Now that the government has finally agreed to go back to work, we can stop all of our uprisings that have happened. The government can go back to working the way they originally have. The next big issue that may continue to cause problems is the passing of ObamaCare..

BR 10-16-13

I think that the girls should be charged. It's basically like helping along a murder. A felony stands at a higher charge, and remains on your record. It's a more serious crime where in adults, jail time for more than a year could become a punishment. I think that there should just be consequences for bullies along with on the internet, and hopefully that will help bullying lessen.

BR 10-15-13

This article was about a janitor that tried to pay a kid to beat another up. The janitor got fired for offering one student a dollar to basically beat up a kid that cursed at her. I'm honestly not particularly sure how to feel about this situation.

Notes on Making a Difference

Annie Beasant- 
1. Born October 1, 1847
2. Activist for women's rights.
Leon Sullivan-
1. civil rights leader
2. Became a minister at the age of 18
Ansel Adams-
1. Born on February 20, 1902
2. he was hyper-active and dyslexic
Susan B. Anthony
1. she supported equality
2. Fought for slavery and women's rights
Indira Ganhi-
1.3rd Prime minister after her father died
2. changed the wealth of India
Cesar Chavez-
1. pressured latino and Hispanics to vote
2. was against slavery
Roger Baldwin-
1. died at the age of 97
2. he traveled a lot
Eva Peron-
1.Born in Argentina
2. first lady at the age of 27
Akbar the Great-
1. took throne at age 14
2. had about 6 wives and A LOT of kids...
Aung San Suu Kyi-
1. Born June 19, 1945
2. her father created the Burmese military
Jane Addams-
1. Born September 6, 1816
2. Vice president of the campfire girls
John Muir
1. helped preserve forests
2. he was an explorer
Deganawida
1. two river currents flowing together- his names translation
2. refused to play war games with children
Web Dubois
1. sociologist, activist, co-author and editor
2. wanted equality for blacks
Jacques Caustaue
1. Born June 11, 1910
2. used water aerobics as a physical therapy
Ida B. Wells
1. Born July 16, 1862
2. her husband led the civil rights movement
*she refused to give up her seat 71 years before Rosa Parks.

BR 10-14-13

This article was about a protest that was held due to the government shutdown. This one is different that the previous ones because it was based around the nation with the singing of God Bless America, whereas the earlier ones were just basic uprisings.

BR 10/10/13

This article is basically saying that Congress is below many other things in a poll. This shows that our Congress does not have a very strong stand in the government or public.

BR 10-9-13

I believe that there shouldn't be a limit on campaign contributions because the government and electing process is all about getting known, and having your name everywhere possible. Campaigning is a major part of the electing system. It also goes against the freedom of expression because it's not allowing them to express themselves freely if they put a limit on it. If they want to spend money for campaigning then let them. it's their money, why should they be told what and what not to spend it on?

BR 10-8-13

I believe that a name change for the Washington Redskins is not necessary. It has been in tradition for quite a long time and changing it now would just be crazy. My paternal family once lived in Washington D.C. and my grandpa's favorite team is the Redskins. I don't think that he'd be too happy about the idea of a name change either. I understand the viewpoint of the name changing people, but there is also a point where it's pretty well set in stone.

Response to my grandchild:

Well, I've made a difference by just becoming the woman I am today. I've become a wonderfully excelled woman in the medical field and I've helped many lives continue on. I have become a wonderful mother and grandma for you to look up to. I don't want to be a bad role model for any of my children. I hope I continue to be a wonderful grandma for you any way I can.

BR 10-7-13

This actually does not surprise me. With as much as we get told that we have very high security and it's pretty much impossible to get through anywhere, it's not that fantastic. Our security may seem to be uptight but it's actually getting too lazy. Especially if a nine year old boy can get through all levels of security unnoticed. There is obviously something wrong in this system.

BR 9-30-13

The first article decribes the attack on the World Trade Center fifteen years ago. The bomb carved out a 100 foot crater into the lower parking lot of the World Trade Center. The second article was about a terrorist attack that hit Okalahoma in 1995. The bomb was located in a car, and went off at 9:02am. It destroyed several buildings and killed many more citizens.

BR 10-1-13

I'm sure several of us have many questions about the government shutdown, but some of the questions I still have about the current situation are as follows:

- What was the exact purpose of the whole government shutdown?

- Why does this have to be such a big deal within the society?

- Where is societies stand in the shutdown?

BR 9-26-13

1. A centralized system allows for more jobs to get completed without being completed by a person.

2. How did the advanced technology control the lives of the people in the movie?

 

 It took over the governments power at it's first source and moved on from there.

 

3. Do you want to have that kind of technology in our community, like our school or municipality? Defend your stand.

 

  I don't believe that type of technologhy is needed anywhere in society. It led to the point that technology was taking over the government.

 

4. In what way do you use technology wisely? Give an example.

 

 We use technology wisely by making it easier to pay taxes and bills, and aslo by using it for our own educational purposes.

 

 5. What message does the movie want to convey? How should you use or treat technology in this digital age?

 

This movie portrays the realistic view of technology abuse because they allowed the technology to take over everyday tasks and eventually it became overruling.

BR 9/19/13

I believe that war related and violent video games do play a crucial role in violience. Many kids play violent games, and as a result, act more like the virtual world they play in for hours a day. On the other hand, if a child doesn't play a video game as much,they may not be quite as violent. In the article, the man played video games for approximately 16 hours a day. That, I believe, did play a major role in his actions.

BR 9/18/13

1. violence, drug use & bullying.
2. I personally believe it is an invasion of privacy. If it were a school ran website then i would understand controlling what they put, but it's their own personal web pages that are being viewed by the school board.
3. I don't think i would act very civil if this arised in our schools. I along with my parents would not take this very well.

BR 9/17/13

1. This situation does not repesent America as a Melting Pot. This is showing that there are still problems rising with blending cultures.

2.  I believe that not all minorites have been affected by this civil rights movement.

BR 9-16-13

This article is about remembering four little girls that were killed in a bombing. The bomb was placed under the stairs in a church and while the girls were getting ready in the basement bathroom, it exploded and killed all four. One little girls sister lost an eye, and the bomb blasted out a depiction of Jesuss' face. The bombing was a result of the KKK.

9/11 assignment. 9/12/13

http://dsc.discovery.com/tv-shows/discovery-presents/videos/9-11-after-the-towers-fell-south-tower-collapse.htm

This video really brings some emotion into it. It interviews actual survivors and firefighters that were involved during the time that the towers were falling. Two of the firefighters were brothers and neither of them knew if the other was alive or not and listening to them tell each of their stories really tugs on your emotions.

 

 

This picture shows just how big the explosion was when the plane first hit the towers.

 

 

 

 

BR 9/13/13

The significance of this article was that the car bomb was let off near americans. Luckily no americans were killed during this car bomb. War was a success for one side and a failure for the other.

BR 9/12/13

Fewer Americans seeking jobless benefits is a great step up in this nation. Wellfare claims will go down and less people will have to rely on the states money. I believe that this means the economy is improving.

BR 9/11/13

When it comes to privacy and security along the lines of terrorism, there should be to some extent a way to view what goes on. There is a line that you shouldn't cross, though, when it comes to the security side of this outlook. If there are those certain "threat words" found then i believe they should be able to dig deeper into the lives of those who use them, but if no one if using threatening words and phrases then there's no reason to search through what people think is their own privacy. With 9/11 being today, i completely understand why this would be an issue in todays society.

BR 9/9/13

Personally, I don't believe that the US should be held responsible for being the world police. We may be able to do it, but to have that responsibility on us is a great challenge. The United Nation should also have to play a part in the world police situation.

BR 9/6/13

I beleive that the man should not have reacted in that manner. There is a limit to discipline, but im not saying that you shouldnt be able to discipline like they used to. Kids these days are getting away with way more because they aren't properly disciplined, but in the case of the story, the guy may have taken it slightly over the edge. He shouldn't have repeatedly stuck the child. The kid was only 3. They aren't going to get it right off the bat. If it were the 1950's he would of easily gotten away with that kind of discipline.

BR 9/5/13

I personally dont think they should raise their dollar menu prices because it is called the dollar menu for a reason. They want to raise prices but not wages and that's only putting more money into the pocket of Mcdonalds corporation.

BR 9/4/13

They are saying that better degrees aren't necessarily leading to better paying jobs. Technical degrees are making more money than some of those with a bachelors degree. This does not persaude my decision in a career at all, because i will be making good money in the field I plan on pursuing.

BR 9/3/13

In some ways i believe that its not an invasion of privacy because its on the internet. It's a public website and you accept their terms and conditions on their website. We are allowing it to happen.

BR 8/30/13

I believe that refusing to seat a group of African American people was beyond wrong. They should not have refused them completely by being told someone was feeling threatened by them. The only right thing that was right in this situation was the fact that they did give them complimentary meals and arranging a meeting later on in the week.

BR 8/27/2013

1) Personally I believe that the two suspects should be tried as an adult. They have committed a crime like they were adults so they, in my opinion, should be tried as adults.
2) I also believe that they should have the right to keep their identity hidden at the time because even though they would be tried as adults, they aren't adults yet so identity could be an issue.
3) In society i think its our job to teach others the right morals to persuade them out of committing any crime at that matter. We need to teach the younger children thats its wrong from the get go and try to teach older people that it is a wrong choice.