Boston College Trying to Stop Condom Giveaways- Taiina Ayala

 Boston College Students for Sexual Health (BCSSH) is a group at Boston College that has been giving out free condoms and other sexual health related items from their dorm rooms, also called, "dark rooms," or " Safe Sites." Boston College officials are NOT happy about it. They have recently sent a threatening letter to the so-called founders of this program, saying that if they don't stop the distribution, legal measures will be taken. The school is a Jesuit- Catholic founded school and the dean of the college said "''their actions were incongruent with the Jesuit Catholic values of Boston College and asked them to cease in this activity.'" He says that no matter what the state's civil rights act says, what these kids are doing is violating the school rules, and that they, as a private institution, have the right to hold the students accountable for what they are doing.
I'm not sure how I feel about this. Part of me is just fine with the fact that the students are taking the necessary precautions to protect themselves and be smart. But then again, it does encourage the students to behave in ways that are not condoned by the schools beliefs. The dean said it was againt the rules, so technically, the students can be punished. Lizzie Jekanowski, chair of BCSSH, has said that the shcool has known about  their program for two years now and have not made any effort to contact them besides this recent, threatening letter. If matters, persist, we will see if  the group of students for safe sex backs down, or if they will be going to court.

Source: http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2013/03/27/boston-college-condom-giveaway/2023995/

First National Strategy on Climate Adaptation- Taiin Ayala

The Obama registration has just recently released their plan for protecting animals and plants from climate change. It has been seen as an "urgent call to action" to protect our earth and the animals and plants that come with it. Although I do agree with this new plan, it amazes me that even when I think we are doing something good for our planet, just because it's morally right, it seems another reason pops up. The report for this new plan says, "The entire U.S. economy suffers when plants and animals are harmed, the report says. Ashe's agency estimates that hunting, fishing and other wildlife-related recreation contribute $120 billion to the economy each year, and the U.S. seafood industry contributes $116 billion." That's all people seem to care about. Money. Economy. How does it profit ($$) us? But hey, if it's putting a pep in the step of Congress to do something about the problem, I'm all for it, I guess. Because in the end, it's important to each and every one of us who live on this planet. Now it's animals and plants thats are dying, next it will be us if we don't do soething aobout it! The report apparently doesn't spell out specific steps, a reoccuring problem in politics. We can all agree that there is a problem that needs a solution, but no one ever gives us the solution! However, this is a first step, and I think it's progress. It is said  the plan will be effective sometime within the next five to ten years.

Source: http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2013/03/26/climate-change-requires-us-land-conservation/2021931/

Snow pound by jonathan landeros

    From Missouri to new Jersey and down to north Carolina and Tennessee there has been pure white snow falling as of today. People struggled to get to work or school and had to find their way around. As of 2pm today, the National weather service had placed a dozen states under winter weather advisories and some with severe climates. Many states were predicted to get up to 7-inches of white snow, but some received up to a foot of snow, more than expected. Even though many families remained worried the children were happy to get the extra days off of school and the sledding they will get. 

OPINION: well isn't it spring? Something is up with the weather.

URL: http://www.cnn.com/2013/03/25/us/weather/index.html

Testing Drugs On The Developing World- Natalie Newman

Developing countries often serve as an easy and cost effective location for clinical trials for new medications. People volunteer to take part in clinical trials but this can be a tricky concept in developing countries where families are struggling to put food on the table and a roof over their heads. Free will gets questioned in developing countries due to the fact that many people are practically forced into volunteering these things because they finally see a rare opportunity to help their family survive.

This article focuses on free will in developing countries. The volunteers for clinical trials are not always as “free” as they seem. Their lives are being put at risk in order to earn money to survive or afford daily necessities.

 

Natalie Newman
http://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2013/02/testing-drugs-on-the-developing-world/273329/

Sun's Activity To Peak With 'Solar Maximum' In 2013 - Jonas Portillo

The sun should roar back to life sometime in 2013, producing its second activity peak in the last two years, scientists say. Our star has been surprisingly quiet since unleashing a flurry of flares and other eruptions toward the end of 2011. But this lull is likely the trough between two peaks that together constitute "solar maximum" for the sun's current 11-year activity cycle, researchers say. "If you look back in history, many of the previous solar cycles don't have one hump, one maximum, but in fact have two," solar physicist C. Alex Young, of NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Md., said today (March 22) during a NASA webcast called "Solar MAX Storm Warning: Effects on the Solar System." "That's what we think is going to happen," Young added. "So we've reached one of those humps, and we think that eventually activity will pick back up and we'll see another hump — a double-humped solar maximum." Before the twin peaks scenario began to gain adherents, many researchers had predicted that solar maximum for the current cycle, known as Solar Cycle 24, would come this May. But given how quiet the sun is at the moment, the second hump will likely occur later than that, and it could last into 2014, scientists have said.

Eye scrolling by jonathan landeros

  Rumors say that the new Samsung Galaxy S 4 might be able to be controlled by the human eyes. The company has called for an "eye scroll" feature which  will do things such as, scrolling down the page once they have reached the bottom of reading an article or text, and another feature called the "Eye Pause" which will pause a video while looking away. This phone will have new and better hardware upgrades so no need for rebooting. The Samsung Galaxy S 4 may be one of the best Galaxy's ever made and could be a huge competition to the Apples iPhone."It's an amazing phone" said an anonymous employee for Samsung .

OPINION:This is pretty cool, but could end up being dangerous.

URL: http://www.cnn.com/2013/03/05/tech/mobile/samsung-galaxy-s-4-eyes

TJ Lane: Jorge Olvera

About a year ago TJ Lane committed murders of young students in Ohio's Chardon High School. At first he was trying to plead no guilty due to insanity. He eventually fessed up and plead guilty later on that year. Today was his last sentence hearing.
Each of the victims parents were there to say a few words to the court and Lane. Some were saying things that remembered their children others said things like, "You are lucky that their are so many cops in here with you."
Before the hearing had started Lane unbuttoned his blue shirt and had a white t-shirt that spelled out "KILLER." The shirt apparently went unnoticed. During the entire hearing he smiled and chuckled at the parents as they spoke. At the end he uttered the worst anyone can say and flipped the bird to everyone.
This child deserves to be in prison for the rest of his life. I hope all the rumors that happen in jail, happen to him. He is weak and a coward.
Resources:
http://www.cnn.com/2013/03/19/us/ohio-school-shooting/index.html?hpt=hp_inthenews

Study: Sending Electricity Through Our Brains Makes Us More Creative- Natalie Newman

Research was done at the Universtiy of Pennsylvania to test the theory that finding a way to weaken  the prefrontal cotex's should help boost creativity from an individual. At the university, 48 participants had a weak electric charge through their cotex and were having their so-called "filters" shut down which eventually lead to greater creativity. Those whose right prefrontal cortex was electically charged saw little difference in their imagination wheras those whose left prefrontal cortex was electrically charged saw a difference.
This is a very interesting experiment but it also seems quite dangerous. The volunteers must know what they are getting themselves into. I think it is amazing to find such interesting results from an experiment like this.

Natalie Newman

http://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2013/03/study-sending-electricity-through-our-brains-makes-us-more-creative/274068/

2 people killed when teen race car driver careens off track in warm-up - Jonas Portillo

A race car driver in the midst of his warm-up laps at the Marysville, California, Raceway Park veered off the track and into pit row, killing a 14-year-old boy and 68-year-old man Saturday night. The driver, 17-year-old Chase Johnson, was not injured. Johnson's sprint car was in the midst of warm-up laps and doing about 90 mph when he couldn't make a turn, according to officials. "There must have been a mechanical problem," raceway announcer Steven Blakesley said. "The car didn't slow down." Johnson, a high school senior, is a fourth-generation race car driver, according to his online bio, and had been driving in races for about two years

Homosexuality and the BSA

http://www.foxnews.com/us/2013/02/05/two-families-share-affection-for-scouts-differ-sharply-on-whether-no-gays/

This article is about the issue of homosexual rights in the Boy Scouts of America. The current policy does not permit openly gay men to be a part of scouting.

In this article, the differing opinions of two families are discussed. The Comers are against uplifting the ban, following their religious faith. The Tessiers on the other hand have a different opinion. Both of The Tessiers's sons have had safe and successful experiences with the Boy Scouts despite being gay, and disagree with the ideas some people have about homosexuals in Boy Scouts.

New Paths to citizenship? - Paolo

http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/immigration-advocates-push-republicans-to-support-path-to-citizenship/2013/02/07/04459f88-714d-11e2-8b8d-e0b59a1b8e2a_story.html

This article is about the ongoing debate on immigration in the United States. Specifically, it is addressing the issue about what is to be done with the millions of illegal immigrants already in the United States.

There are multiple opinions mentioned in this article. There are those who believe that these immigrants should be given amnesty, and there are people who think that these immigrants should be deported and stricter immigration laws should be written. The middle ground of the debate which is being increasingly embraced by Republicans would require the immigrants to pay back taxes and learn English before being eligible to attain citizenship.

The illegal immigration problem is a complicated one. I think that it is really important that this issue is solved because it hurts the economy and compromises national security. It is also much harder on the illegal immigrants, who are often exploited by employers for very little money.

Asteroid visit by Jonathan Landeros

Scientists have told CNN that an asteroid, the size of a city block, will hit tomorrow at noon, not to fear because it will be 975,000 kilometers(604,500miles) away from earth. That is about 2 1/2 times the distance from earth to the moon, so it will not pass close enough to earth to cause any severe damage. The asteroid is pretty big, about 80 meters(262feet)wide, but far from us. Since search telescopes can't find objects that size until they are close enough, scientists were not able to see it till this past Sunday. The asteroid is close enough for astronomers to discover its orbit, and it is very visible at night with sophisticated amateur telescopes, which won't be when it passes tomorrow during the day.

OPINION: Weird how many asteroids are coming our way and I don't trust astronomers or scientists since they said the last asteroid wouldn't cause injuries and it did.


URL:http://lightyears.blogs.cnn.com/2013/03/07/asteroid-to-fly-past-earth-this-weekend/

Horse Meat. Ew.

This article talks about the one of the biggest issues Europe is facing: horse meat. It's not just horse meat by itself, but instead it's mixed in with beef. This has been a big problem recently with IKEA stores in the Czech Republic. Traces of the horse meat have been found in their meat balls. Since that has been a big issue with IKEA and other food companies in Europe, many Americans have been worried horse meat might slowly and secretly make its way into food in the U.S. So this article is answering all the questions many people are worrying about.

I think horses are only for riding and definitely not being in our food. Maybe I think this because I don't each much meat anyways, but we already have beef, poultry, pork, seafood, buffalo, etc. to eat, why do we need ANOTHER animal to slaughter and eat? Horse meat is a good source of protein and Omega 3 but we can get protein from beef and Omega 3 from fish. I'm happy the US does not have any more horse slaughter houses and I hope it stays that way, but I do think people should be cautious of meat coming from Europe.

HORSE MEAT article

Mexican Drug Lord "El Chapo" drops of Forbe's Billionare List - Jonas Portillo

Some of the people on Forbes' billionaires list are obvious. Warren Buffett is one. So is Bill Gates, who has been making the list since the 1980s. Other wealthy magnates are more difficult to confirm. That includes notorious Mexican drug lord Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman Loera. Forbes reports they dropped him from this year's list, partly because authorities aren't quite sure where he is and if he is even alive. "Forbes has been unable to reach him to verify figures and believes an increasing chunk of money is going to protect him and his family," It would be quite remarkable if the money magazine was able to "reach him," considering the Mexican drug lord is one of the most elusive figures in the world. Officials have been trying to capture "El Chapo," a.k.a "Shorty," since he escaped a maximum security prison in Mexico in a laundry cart in 2001. As the leader of the Sinaloa drug cartel, he is believed to be responsible for hundreds of slayings. He overtook Osama bin Laden as Public Enemy No. 1 when the al Qaeda leader was killed in 2011. Reports first emerged about the drug lord's death in February, but Guatemalan officials soon said the rumors were misleading. He is widely believed to be alive and well. Guzman was on the Forbes' billionaire list in 2012 -- for the fourth year in a row -- along with drug lords Pablo Escobar and the Ochoa brothers. The magazine reported he controlled an estimated 25 percent of the illegal drug trade and was worth about $1 billion. This year, however, Forbes says Guzman is "no longer someone we are confident enough to call a billionaire."

Harlem shake reaches new heights; FAA not amused By Andres Munoz

  It's the dance sensation that's sweeping above the nation -- at 30,000 feet. The Harlem shake has gone aloft, breaking out on commercial airline flights, and appearing in dozens of YouTube videos.

Some of the videos were taped aboard planes on the ground. But the Federal Aviation Administration says it is looking into one instance of high-altitude dancing.

And airline pilots, flight attendants and others say the fad presents serious safety and security problems.

"It's ridiculous," said Jim Tilmon, a retired 29-year airline pilot. "A commercial airplane in flight ... is not a dance hall, it's not an entertainment stage, it's not any of those things." 

 The once dance craze has been turned into a serious offense. Why must they kill a joke like this? No one got hurt and as long as they waited till the "buckle up" part of the flight was done, it was a safe activity.http://www.cnn.com/2013/03/01/travel/harlem-shake-faa/index.html?hpt=hp_t3

What led to it? by:Amanda Garcia

This sunday a massive explosion in Shiite District of Karachi killed about 45 people, leaving around 149 wounded. They don't know for sure who let this bomb off in a crowd of Pakistaneins as they were leaving a mosque. There are several suspisions toward a Sunni militiant group called,  Lashkare-Jhangvi. Whoever did this horrible act needs to take full responsibility for their actions, or things may get worse.

source: http://www.nytimes.com/2013/03/04/world/asia/bombing-in-shiite-district-of-karachi.html?hp

Happy Ending by: Amanda Garcia

An expecting newly wed couple was in a horrific car accident, but somehow their soon to be child survived the accident. They quickly rushed the woman to the hospital and had an unexpected c section. Shortly after, it was the baby boy's birthday as well as his parents anniversary of their death. The very next day they procceded to have a funeral to the 21 year olds and a celebration for the life of their child.

source: http://www.nytimes.com/2013/03/04/nyregion/expectant-couple-killed-on-way-to-hospital.html?hp

Racism at its Worst by: Amanda Garcia

At the Emory University, racial wounds were reopened when the president of the University, James W. Wagner, wrote about, and favored, the 1787 compromise in which each slave was valued as one fifths of a person. The University is also at a time where budgets are being called upon and many people feel that the budget cuts are mainly targeting the minority. According the article, this year has been a rough one for the Emory University when dealing with racism, even dealing with Christianity, not just African Americans.

source: http://www.nytimes.com/2013/02/24/education/emory-university-president-revives-racial-concerns.html?ref=todayspaper&_r=0

The Fight for Equaltiy by:Amanda Garcia

Christopher Dorner, an ex- police officer, was on the run after he invested on a campaign of revenge against the Los Angeles Police Department. The chase to find Dorner began on February 6^th after he killed two innocent people and began accusing the department of racism. Dorner claims that the department did not give him fair representation when needed due to the color of his skin, as well as claimed to be targeted for this reason.

source: http://www.dallasnews.com/news/local-news/20130213-sheriff-cabin-not-purposely-burned-in-firefight.ece

Public School and Policies by: Amanda Garcia

The debate on whether the government should be involved with a school’s foundation has been ongoing for many years. Recently, the Obama administration has been requiring the “unrealistic goal” of making every student, from every state, proficient in math and science. They believe this is achievable through vigorous standardized tests, the firing of staff, and vigorous evaluations of schools and teachers. 

source: http://www.nytimes.com/2013/02/10/education/debate-over-federal-role-in-public-school-policy.html?_r=0

A "real" American? by: Amanda Garcia

America has always been known as the “melting pot” that brings different cultures together; however some people are wondering if America has become too concerned with “Americanizing” their immigrants and too anxious to shed them of their old ways and reform them to true Americans. According to the article, after World War 1 America became very suspicious of foreigners wanting to relocate to America. America now has the reputation for cultivating immigrants into “real Americans” instead of allowing immigrants to cultivate and adapt on their own.

source: http://www.theatlantic.com/national/archive/2013/02/how-to-turn-immigrants-into-real-americans-a-1920s-argument/272884/

Florida Home Over Sinkhole Demolished by Carter Brown

'Crews on Sunday razed more than half of the Tampa-area home over a huge sinkhole that swallowed a man three days ago, managing to salvage some keepsakes for family members who lived there. Jeremy Bush, 35, tried to save his brother, Jeff, when the ground opened up and swallowed him Thursday night. On Sunday morning, Jeremy Bush and relatives prayed with a pastor as the home — where he lived with his girlfriend, Rachel Wicker, and their daughter, Hannah, 2, and others — was demolished and waited for firefighters to salvage anything possible from inside. The firefighters stood just outside the home, gesturing to the family across the street as they sorted items into boxes. As of Sunday afternoon — when demolition had stopped for the day and only a few walls of the home remained — a Bible, a jewelry box and a pink teddy bear for Hannah were among the items saved. The Rev. John Martin Bell of Shoals Baptist Church said he had been with the family all morning. "We just prayed with them," he said. He added that all five who lived in the house — Bush, Wicker, Hannah and two others ages 50 and 45 — were in need of support and prayers from the community. Before the demolition, Bush and a woman were escorted by a deputy to the front of the house. Bush repositioned some flowers from a makeshift memorial to a safer location, then he and the woman knelt in prayer. People gathered on lawn chairs, bundled up with blankets against unusually chilly weather. Several dozen milled about within view, including officials and reporters. The search for Jeff Bush, 36, was called off Saturday, and officials said the demolition Sunday would be tricky. A heavy machine with a large bucket scoop was moved into position on what was believed to be solid ground. The 20-foot-wide opening of the sinkhole was almost covered by the house, and rescuers said there were no signs of life since the hole opened Thursday night. Hillsborough County Administrator Mike Merrill said the goal for Sunday was to knock down the house, and on Monday crews would clear the debris as much as possible to allow officials and engineers to see the sinkhole in the open. Jeff Bush, 37, was in his bedroom Thursday night in Seffner — a suburb of 8,000 people 15 miles east of downtown Tampa — when the ground opened and took him and everything else in his room. Five others in the house escape unharmed as the earth crumbled. The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office is conducting the investigation. Detective Larry McKinnon said that sheriff's office and the county medical examiner cannot declare Bush dead if his body is still missing. Under Florida law, Bush's family must petition a court to declare him deceased. "Based on the circumstances, he's presumed dead, however the official death certificate can only be issued by a judge and the family has to petition the court," McKinnon said.' I thought this story was particularly interesting.. A man being eaten by the Earth, never to be seen again. You certainly don't hear about that sort of thing much, now do you? Nonetheless, I feel sorry for the man's family and friends. Not to mention the family now has no home, since it had to be demolished... Source: http://www.nbcnews.com/id/51025141#.UTPVsDAw-m5

U.S. Pennies going away?- Taiina Ayala

 As many countries, including New Zealand and Australia, continue discontinuing their lowest form of currency, the United States is staying strong... for now. Currently, there are no official plans of ridding the nation of the 60 millimeter wide circle of bronze. But, officials say that if Congress did decide the time of the penny was over, the process of discontinuing them would be fairly quick. But are pennies really necessary? Even David Steckling, owner of Gold-N-Silver Rare Coin Company, admits "Most people consider them a inconvenience." Ironically, it takes two cents to make a penny. ^.^ Another discussion has been brought to our attention: Is a penny worth anything (besides one cent, of course?) In the past, up until 1982, pennies were made with a fair amount of copper. In fact, the very first pennies were made completely of copper. Now, however, they are made of copper-plated zinc, which is hardly worth anything. Once again, there has not been a decision made by Congress just yet, but it is expected by experts to happen within the next two years.
I personally thing change in general is a huge inconvenience. I myself never use it! I know people who use it for vending machines or toll roads but I haven't been put in either of those situations so to me, coins are just another way to make my purse heavier. However, I feel that coins, especially pennies, are very interesting. There is such a long history associated with them. Sometimes I like to look at the dates on all my pennies and find the oldest one. I think the oldest one I've ever found was from 1912. That's a long time ago! And the year of the Titanic sinking! Very interesting. Overall, I wouldn't be too surprised or sad if the penny was eliminated from our U.S. currency.

Source: http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2013/03/02/penny-not-going-away-yet/1958995/