Florida releases woman jailed for 20 years for firing 'warning shot' Tyra Harris, 5th period

http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/11/28/us-usa-florida-shooting-alexander-idUSBRE9AR0MK20131128

Summary: In May 2012, Marissa Alexander was sentenced to 20 years in prison for firing a warning shot at her abusive husband, whom she says was just about to attack her. He has been convicted of domestic violence against her in the past. Just before the Thanksgiving holiday, Alexander was released on bond as she awaits retrial. The state granted her a new trial because the original judge "failed to properly instruct" the  jury about her self-defense argument. Alexander cited Florida's "Stand Your Ground" law, which states that one who "uses deadly force to defend themselves from serious injury can be immune from prosecution" , as her defense argument. She was denied immunity because she left the house during the confrontation to get a weapon from her car. The minimum sentence for aggravated assault in Florida is 20 years.

Analysis: It is my understanding that laws are to protect and serve justice to the people. The woman had an abusive husband. This is an undisputed fact as he has a domestic violence history. Alexander defends herself and the children, who were in the home, and she goes to prison. No penalty/charge against her husband? No one should have to vacate their own home in fear. Property owners have the right to defend their land, including those in it

- especially one's self. This woman should have never been convicted, let alone arrested. It's my hope that in her upcoming retrial, justice is served. 

**Sidetrack: In my personal opinion, she needs to divorce that guy...QUICKLY.

Comet ISON sweeps near sun, shows signs of "life"- Alix Kast

The comet ISON, or a portion of it, is now thought to have survived its close encounter with the sun. Scientists say that it is throwing off dust and (supposedly) gas. But they're not sure how long it will last. It went 730,000 miles over the sun on Thursday. Comets are made up of frozen gases, rocks, and dust, and can be up to several miles wide. When they are warmed, they develop tails of gas and dirt. Comets are not typically in our part of the solar system. Scientists take opportunities such as this one to study comets, hopefully finding clues about how our solar system formed. ISON was discovered last year with a telescope in Russia. Scientists hoped it would survive its encounter with the sun and give off an even larger dust trail than usual. Earlier on Thursday, NASA had practically declared it dead, but other scientists refused to give up hope. The discovery that it had apparently survived led many to nickname it "the zombie comet".

I find it fascinating that the comet survived the intense heat of the sun. It makes me wonder what exactly it consisted of. ISON is a type of comet called a "Sungrazing comet", since it traveled so close to the sun. Scientists will probably be able to learn a lot from this unusual event. We'll have to wait and see what further things they discover about it. It may actually reach a point where it becomes so bright that it can be seen with the naked eye. Hearing about things like this makes me want to grab a telescope and see if I can catch a glimpse of it- although I doubt anything I have access to would be powerful enough to spot it in its current state.

Source: http://www.cnn.com/2013/11/29/us/ison-comet/index.html?hpt=us_c2

More information about ISON: http://www.cnn.com/2013/06/07/us/comet-ison-5-things/index.html

Iraq war vet accused in homeless killings dies while awaiting trial - Aliyah Christian 1st period

A 24 year old Iraq war veteran, Itzcoatl Ocampo, had been accused of fatally stabbing 4 homeless men in Southern California and had been awaiting trial in the Orange County Jail. Ocampo was pronounced dead on Thursday afternoon at Western Medical Center in Santa Ana. He had been sent to the hospital from jail after falling ill. Deputies at the jail noticed Ocampo "shaking and vomiting" in his solitary cell and immediately summoned medical attention. Ocampo was charged in January 2012 with four counts of first-degree murder. The first homeless man, killed a month earlier, was stabbed more than 40 times with a 7-inch, heavy-gauge Ka-Bar Bull Dozier knife, Orange County District Attorney said. "In each of these cases, the violence, the number of stabbing wounds of each victim, increased," the prosecutor added. The next month, Ocampo was arraigned on new charges that he killed the mother and brother of an old friend. Authorities say 53-year-old Raquel Estrada was stabbed more than 30 times and her 34-year-old son Juan Herrera more than 60 times on October 25, 2011, their bodies left in pools of blood inside their Yorba Linda home.

I just can't get over the amount of violence this guy showed. I mean, stabbing someone is terrible. Stabbing someone over 50 and 60 times is almost unbelievable. I mean, it seems like he was taking something out on his victims. I would have to guess that he must have been just completely sick in the head from his Military days or perhaps some other time in his life. These poor people and their poor families. I hate to hear such terrible things happening like this. 

http://www.cnn.com/2013/11/29/justice/california-accused-murderer-dead/index.html?hpt=hp_t2

$1 coins: Unwanted, unloved and out of currency

$1 coins: Unwanted, unloved and out of currency

http://www.cnn.com/2013/11/28/us/one-dollar-coins/index.html?hpt=us_c1

Rowan Barcham

Why do Americans value the penny over the $1 coin the value of the latter is clearly much higher? Why are Americans more adamant about collecting pennies off the ground? Where did all the $1 coins go? The inventory of the Federal Reserve Banks, of course. They hold nearly $1.4 billion in Sacagawea coins, enough of a supply for the next 4 decades.

Most of the minted $1 coins live within the government vaults, but more were returned to the Federal Reserve Banks just last year. Initial distribution of these coins began in 2007, until 2011 when the mint ceased producing anymore. This was due to the lack of public desire. Although these durable currencies outlast the durability of $1 bills, the bills are always the winner in preference. 

According to research, the federal government would save roughly $150 million a year should Congress decide to make the switch to metal. Should this plan come to fruition, the extinction of $1 bills would slowly creep upon the nation. The fact is, these $1 coins serve no purpose for businesses or financial institutions. It is also not effective as a means of taxpayer resources, according to the Treasury Department. 

I spent a summer in Peru two years ago, where I was frequently using Peruvian coins to make my purchases. These coins were largely preferred by the natives. They would only ever use bills for larger purchases. These coins were smaller, more portable, and frankly, more durable than the bills. I believe that if we could institute the $1 coins into our system, it could cater a variety of benefits to us Americans. Although it is no trivial matter to experiment with, I feel like it could ultimately help us with its durability, transportability, and value. 

Large retailers report strong Thanksgiving & Black Friday sales - Hannah Selby 4th

     Well, it's that time of year again - time for the famous (or somewhat infamous) Thanksgiving and Black Friday sales in stores across America.  However, this year seems to be even crazier than usual in more ways than one.

     To begin with, although sales are always sky-rocketing during the Black Friday event - considering the fact that Black Friday is typically the busiest shopping day of the year - this year's sales in stores and online are even higher than last year's.  Just to give you a clue, Walmart had about 10 million purchases at the register and 400 million website views just only between 6-10:00 pm.  Also, according to Target and Walmart, the purchases made by shoppers at this time seemed to consist mostly of large electronics, like TV's and XBOX's.

     Then, we have the mayhem of what seems like billions of greedy, green-eyed, bargain-thirsty shoppers swarming into every existing shopping center (and causing a great tumult, which I'll discuss later). At one Macy's in New York City, there were about 15,000 shoppers standing outside the doors just before its 8:00 opening.  (This is even more than last year, when there were 11,000 people waiting for the midnight opening).  The store (the same Macy's) offered $195-250 jackets for $80 and $130 cashmere sweaters for $40 this year.

     If it's not bad enough with the shoppers, it's only getting worse as the stores increasingly flock them in as early and often as possible during the holiday season each year (and adding an extra day to the Black Friday event is just one part of this larger plot).  However, many stores must face the consequences of going too crazy with the shopping hours as workers have developed several organizations in protest, claiming that there are too many demands being placed on the workers as a result of the stores' hasty, selfish decisions.  (And believe it or not, Walmart has been the biggest target for protests against holiday hours; since most of the stores are already open 24 hours and now the retailer is starting its sales even 2 hours earlier than last year.)

     On the less amusing side, making opening times earlier and adding extra shopping days has been the source of a greater amount of danger.  For instance, a man in Las Vegas was shot in the leg on the way home to his apartment after buying a TV at Target.  At a Wal-Mart in California, there were 3 brawls; two of which were arguments over merchandise in the store and one that happened outside when the manager opened the doors ahead of time; resulting in the injury of a policeman that tried to resolve the dispute. A man was arrested and charged with disorderly conduct and aggravated assault on a police officer after having a dispute with a store employee over a TV. (Now this is just starting to sound like what happens in the movie 'Elf' when “Santa” comes to the mall…) And lastly, yet ANOTHER Wal-Mart in New York received two bomb threats at about noon and was evacuated, but reopened at 2:00 pm after a search proved it to be a false alarm. (Seriously, what's the deal with Wal-Mart?!)

   Reflecting on all this, I personally think that most people these days have lost the real intended meaning of holidays (especially Thanksgiving and Christmas), and that there is hardly anything sacred about them anymore.  Instead of  spending time with family and being thankful for what we already have, it's become all about scarfing down the turkey dinner so we can jump in the car and rush to the mall to buy more, more, more.  Have you ever stopped to consider that there are those who will go without a dinner at all, or that there may be someone you've encountered that will spend Thanksgiving alone?  Shopping is great, but it's gotten too out of hand during the holiday seasons.  Now it just sucks people in and fills them with selfishness and greed when, ironically, the purpose of the holiday is to be THANKFUL and rejoice in what we have.  So, the next time you or your family wants to go out and buy a new flat-screen TV, try to think of something better to do with your time (like helping those less fortunate than you enjoy Thanksgiving too), and think about all the people and things you're grateful for.  I promise it'll be a lot more rewarding than gaining things for yourself - I can say this because I've tried it myself.  That's all, folks! :)

http://www.foxnews.com/us/2013/11/29/retailers-usher-in-holiday-shopping-season-as-black-friday-morphs-into/

Pizza Hut Manager Loses Job After Refusing To Open On Thanksgiving

An Elkhart, Indiana manager just lost his job because he refused to be open on Thanksgiving. The former Pizza Hut manager, Tony Rohr, says the reason is because he wants the day off for his employees."They just said it was a competitive decision and that everyone was open, so we will be too. I said, 'Why can't we be the company that stands up and says we care about our employees, and let them have the day off?'' Rohr said in a statement. He has not contacted the company since he was fired.

http://www.nbcnews.com/business/pizza-hut-manager-fired-after-refusing-open-thanksgiving-2D11665028

My reaction to the headline: ?????????????? why
My reaction when I read the rest of the article: !!!!!!!!!!!????????
Basically, kudos to that guy for standing up for his employees, even if it cost him his job. They may even have the day off tomorrow because of him. What he did was thoughtful. We need more managers like him.

Thanksgiving shopping? Not in States that Ban It - Camille Vigil

     In past years, many stores have begun opening their doors earlier and earlier for Thanksgiving and Black Fridays Sales. This year, many stores are even opening their doors to begin sales on Thanksgiving day. Stores including Walmart, JC Penney, and Macy's are opening their doors at 5/6pm this Thanksgiving. However, in Massachusetts, Maine, and Rhode Island, stores such as these aren't even allowed to be open on Thanksgiving day. Laws in these states known as "blue laws", which prohibit grocery stores, "big box stores", and department stores from opening on Thanksgiving, as well as limiting the opening of stores on certain other holidays such as Veterans' Day and Easter. Many shoppers in these states seeking sales from department stores are turning to states bordering their own that are not restricted by "blue laws". Though some shoppers have complained about stores not opening, others are content with the restriction, contending that one day of no shopping to be with family is greatly needed. One greater concern by shoppers is that there will be little means by which to pick up last minute or forgotten ingredients for Thanksgiving dinner, though smaller businesses such as pharmacies and convenience stores are, allowed to open on Thanksgiving.
     I think that over the years the significance of Thanksgiving has been skewed by the growing number of sales advertised by way of this holiday. I think that the blue laws are a really great thing, eliminating any inclination by shoppers to venture to stores on Thanksgiving rather than spending time with family. Black Friday isn't as much of a distraction as Thanksgiving Day sales in my opinion, since it interferes much less with family time on the holiday itself. However, stores opening the day of Thanksgiving is going way too far. It just shows the degree to which commercialization has been attributed to the holiday and how little importance many people put on spending the holiday with their loved ones.
http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/thanksgiving-shopping-states-ban-21022394

Massive Supernova Echos in Space- Meg Mickelsen

A supernova explosion is magnificent.  It brilliantly shines, blinding, than fades away in less than a week, only a fraction of a second relative to the explosions size.  Yet this spectacular, fleeting event leaves an echo for us to feast our eyes on.  A supernova leaves a colorful remnant of its former glory hanging in space for hundreds of years.  Scientists have long puzzled over what could power such a noble echo.  Tycho, a supernova, born from the death of a white dwarf star, has solved part of the mystery.  In her glory days, the stunning Tycho rivaled venus, spewing silicon and iron into space at over 11 million miles per hour.   Scientists have discovered that Tycho's remnant emits a shock wave at about Mach 300 (300 times the speed of soun).  A reverse shock wave races back at 1000 Mach, heating the remnant and fueling its majestic glow.  I found this article at sciencedaily.com.  It caught my eye because it reminded me of the magnificene of space. Although people often remark that space makes them feel small, this sort of terrible, fantastic information makes me feel big.  I hope it makes you feel big too.  Happy thanksgiving.

Gloria Jones: Sandy Hook Killer Took Motive To His Grave

After many months of investigation no motive of the Sandy Hook shooter has been uncovered. In this article I learned that he had Aspergers. He was describes as having no emotions or even a connection to his mother. He isolated himself in his bedroom not allowing anyone in, and kept information and documentation of suicide shooting and shooting that were targeted at children. 

It goes without saying that this man was extremely mental ill. I cannot fathom how someone could begin to harm so many children and innocents. It is still heartbreaking. Yet, I do wonder if there is a way to reach out to people like him. In a way they seem so hopeless. I mean how can you work with an emotionless person, but how can you just let them be. It is an extreme catch 22 to figure out between what is just, what is safe, what is needed to ensure the safety of our civilians without stripping the liberties of those misconstrued as harmful (and in reality are harmless).  This incident is completely unforgivable, yet you have to wonder how "in control" of his actions was he.

http://www.cnn.com/2013/11/25/justice/sandy-hook-shooting-report/index.html?c=homepage-t&page=4

Griffin Johnston, 4th period, New York makes provisions to solve texting and driving

            In an article on FoxNews.com the Associated Press reports on the State of New York giving 32 tall, unmarked SUV’s for the purpose of catching drivers using hand held devices. This along with the steeper penalties for using handheld devices and the “Texting Zones” on various highways portrays the states’ stricter policies regarding the use of cell phones while driving. According to the article, 41 states have banned texting and driving and 12 have outlawed hand-held cell phones in general. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration stated that more than 3,300 people died and 421,000 people were injured in car accidents due to “distracted driving” in the previous year. A study from Virginia tech discovered that texting while driving makes a person 23 times more likely to be in a wreck.  Another study (not in this article) found that texting while driving is more hazardous than driving while intoxicated.

            Texting while driving is not only a problem, it is a temptation in which a multitude of people, including myself, has succumbed to. Though most people do not think this way when they are using their phone while driving, texting while driving puts your well-being and life as well as other’s lives in jeopardy. If an urgent, emergency situation were to arise while driving, and one is not able to pull over, the best way to deal with the situation is by talking with that person using speaker phone. Texting has its benefits and there are situations where it is appropriate, however, talking to that person face to face, or at least over the phone, is usually the best way of communication. Taking into consideration that most text message conversations concern matters that are usually minor in our lives as a whole, it is on the border of selfishness when one texts and drives. They are putting their social lives ahead of the safety of not only other drivers and pedestrians, but also their own safety. The multiple provision that the state of New York has taken in response to increased texting (and use of handheld cell phones) while driving are positive steps toward solving this problem.

http://www.foxnews.com/us/2013/11/25/ny-state-troopers-using-big-suvs-to-crack-down-on-texting-and-driving/?intcmp=obnetwork

   

"Macklemore & Ryan Lewis honor Trayvon Martin at AMA’s"- Devin Lewis 2nd Period

Macklemore & Ryan Lewis honor Trayvon Martin at AMA’s

(By Morgan Whitaker for MSNBC)

On Sunday night, favorite rap/hip-hop album winner Macklemore & Ryan Lewis took a moment to pay respect and inform views of  Trayvon Martin at the American Music Awards. Being by quoting Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., the duo spoke out about racism and the injustice being severed in America.

“Due to the fact that we are in Florida tonight accepting this award, I want to acknowledge Trayvon Martin and the hundreds and hundreds of kids each year that are dying due to racial profiling and the violence that follows it,” boldly stated by Macklemore.

The musical duo have been known for promoting social justice on issues  like supporting marriage equality and social equality. The duo is now rapidly gaining new respect for their powerful statement.  

I am proud of this duo's courage for taking a stand on a powerful topic on an important night for music. I can see how viewers might have felt awkward but in the end it was a respectable guesture.

Source: https://www.msnbc.com/politicsnation/macklemore-ryan-lewis-honor-trayvon-martin

Jakira Richardson - Immigration Interruption

President Barack Obama, giving his speech on the need for a solution to the eleven million undocumented workers in California, was rudely interrupted by a man who was all for Obama simply cancelling deportationo. The event took place at the Betty Ong Recreation center in San Fransisco China Town. The guy accused Obama of having the power to stop all depportations and yet just standing by. He got louder with a NO DEPORTATION chant. Obama responded by saying "Actually, I don't. The easy way out is to try to yell and pretend like I can do something by violating our laws. If in fact I could solve all these problems without passing laws in Congress, I would do so." He then told his secret service men to leave the guy in his seat instead of throwing him out. Obama is a very intellectual and well rounded man. He has been many places and done many things. He has had no power and little money and much power without the need of much money. This is the reason he can stay calm in situations where others are so passionately riled up. He leet this guy stay where he was and gave him a direct response because he probably saw a passion in him he himself had experienced at sone time or another. Although he did seem to get agitated when the man would not let him finish his sentences. He told the man that he was incorrect in his accusations and then did what many fail to do. He challenged the man (low key) to do something about it besides yelling at him, because that was not going to solve a thing.
http://www.latimes.com/nation/politics/politicsnow/la-pn-obama-immigration-reform-heckler-20131125,0,2443913.story

Nasya King - Obama Heckler

President Barack Obama was interrupted by a pro immigration activist while giving his speech on the need for a solution to the eleven million undocumented workers in California. The event took place at the Betty Ong Recreation center in San Fransisco China Town. The heckler accused Obama of having the power to stop all depportations and yet doing nothing about it. He began chanting loudly and another supporter chimed in. Obama responded by saying "Actually, I don't. The easy way out is to try to yell and pretend like I can do something by violating our laws. If in fact I could solve all these problems without passing laws in Congress, I would do so." He then told his security guys not to remove the heckler and continued with his speech.
Situations such as these shine a light on the type of man our president is. Calm, cool, and collected. Aside from the actual response he gave the heckler, just the manner in which he adressed the disrespectful man. It seems to me as if he saw and understood the passion this gentleman had for his cause and decided that he shsould not be punished or ridiculed for that. The response in itself was also calm and thoughful. Obama adresses the accusation only to turn around and subtly suggest that the gentleman take action for himself, as yelling and screaming would solve nothing...

http://talkingpointsmemo.com/livewire/obama-to-immigration-heckler-don-t-pretend-like-i-can-do-something-by-violating-our-laws

You can read the article I read and watch the video at the link above.

"Inquiry in Cover-Up of Ohio Rape Yields Indictment of Four Adults" (Melissa Kurtzman, 5th Period)

Summary: Four more arrests were made on Monday in connection to the Ohio rape case that took place in August 2012. A sixteen year old girl was raped by two football players-who are currently serving sentences in jail-and the entire incident was documented by other teenagers on Twitter and other social media outlets. The new indictments include the superintendent on charges of obstruction of justice and failure to report child abuse. The controversy in the case surrounds the fact that no one reported the initial rape incident until two days later when the girl's parents gave the police a flash drive containing photographic evidence from the night and text messages sent between the teenagers involved.

Analysis: First of all, I would just like to say that rape is disgusting and one of the worst crimes a person can commit. That being said, I'm happy to hear that adults connected to this case have been indicted. The full article goes into detail about the texts exchanged between the two football players and their coach, who said he would "take care of it". He hasn't been indicted and it's makes me mad because he is clearly "obstructing justice" and "failing to report child abuse" in these conversations.

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/11/26/us/steubenville-school-superintendent-indicted-in-rape-case.html?ref=us

Fast-food drive-thrus getting slower by Joi Ware

Summary - Over the years of fast-food industries the drive-thru has become relatively slow. The average wait time for a customer is three minutes, which is eight seconds later than last year.The fast-food company, McDonald's, averaged 189.5 seconds per customer this year, which is the company's slowest time in 15 years. A reason for this slowness is accuracy. Companies want to make sure your order is right and not screwed up.

Analysis: The author of this article is Dylan Stableford, from Yahoo! News. He aims toward the viewers of America because he clearly states in the very beginning, "Bad news, America. Fast-food drive-thrus are getting slower." The author wrote this article to inform American citizens that the fast-food industries are becoming slower but gives them a reason to go off of. My opinion of this article is that it is accurate. I believe that the fat-food industries have become very slow. The employees to these companies usually don't go on accuracy though. Most people who work there are teenagers, my age. Most teenagers my age really are careless and usually want to chit chat and gossip other that work. I believe it may be the workers that are the problem other than the completion of accuracy.

For the full story visit, http://news.yahoo.com/fast-food-drive-thru-time-study-151932689.html

San Rafael Smoking Ban Goes Into Effect - Carolyn Villalobos Period 4

In San Rafael, California, a smoking ban was activated. It is one of the strictest in the country, and prohibits smoking in homes that share a wall with another dwelling, such as apartments, duplexes, or condominiums. The reason is to eliminate second-hand smoke from entering other's dwellings through doors, windows, vents, or other susceptible openings. According to one report, second-hand smoke kills about 50,000 Americans per year.
Some people believe this ban is bad because it infringes upon the rights of people to smoke in their own home, and maybe it does, but it saves lives. It makes it harder for people to smoke as often, and eliminates the dangers of second-hand smoke in a community setting. And another thing, if someone has been living in the same apartment for a while, and they smoke regularly, then the next person to rent that apartment is going to have to deal with the unpleasant lingering smell of cigarettes. I think this ban is overall a good thing, even if it does upset some people.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/11/23/san-rafael-smoking-ban_n_4326768.html?ir=Business#next_slideshow

"Teen Who Covered Katy Perry's 'Roar' Dies" - Camille Farrar

            This article, by Alan Duke, profiles the last month of Olivia Wise’s life. She passed away about a week ago after battling a terminal brain tumor for nearly 2 years. In September, her recording of Katy Perry’s “Roar” went viral and got the hit singer’s attention. The video of Wise in the recording studio helped bring in thousands of dollars for the Liv Wise Fund, the foundation that was started in her name to raise money for research on brain tumors. Wise’s family posted another video a few days before her death. It was a song called “Simple Girl” that Olivia wrote when she was 11 about how she wanted to live her life. She only sang it once: the day she recorded “Roar.”

            When I saw this story, I knew it had to be the one I wrote about because I had already written about the previous article about her life. Stories like this one help to show the fleeting nature of life and make us more aware of what we do because you only get 1 chance. I am so sorry for the family because they lost someone so young with so much life left to live. It’s awful to see that she died, but I hope the popularity of her cover of “Roar” will continue to bring in money for the critical research on brain tumors.

http://www.cnn.com/2013/11/25/showbiz/olivia-wise-death/index.html?hpt=hp_c2

Katey Guinn 5th period "it's beginning to look a lot like christmas"

             Wintry weather has struck west Texas already and has canceled around five hundred of holiday flights! if i was going out of town and my fight got canceled i would be really upset. Why cant the weather cancel school?! Lubbock has so much snow that you can practically go skying and Dallas doesn't have anything! This is so sad, I really want snow. I mean i wouldn't mind some snow right now (and miss Carney's physics test tomorrow). Oh well, it's only one more day how bad can it be? The only bad thing about this weather are the car crashes on icy roads. Everyone stay safe! Maybe we'll get some snow sometime soon!



http://www.cnn.com/2013/11/25/us/weather-thanksgiving/index.html?hpt=us_c1

"U.S. winter storm threatens to snarl Thanksgiving travel" - Natalie H. - Class 2

The article was created by Yahoo! News, who are always caught up on the latest details and are generally reliable.

Only 4 hours ago was this article released today (11/25/13), and there are already signs of inclement weather for the holidays.

There are already cold winds racing down in Texas, but we aren't the only ones. A blizzard is sweeping across the rest of the U.S. and is threatening to ruin the flight plans of millions this Thanksgiving week. But more so, 13 lives have been claimed due to the weather down south.

Nation, be warned- you  might want a change of plans this Thanksgiving, just in case of the brutal weather heading your way. Now, some school districts force their kids to attend their classes despite the weather, but if their are any serious signs, stay at home. Don't risk it.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/freezing-weather-spreads-storm-heads-toward-u-east-033051963.html

Enormous rare sea creature hauled from depths by Florida shark fisherman

Summary: Mark, a local fisherman, has caught thousands of fish, but a few days go he caught a 800 pound sting ray off Miami beach. The sting ray, know by its scientific name Dasyatis centroura, in the deep parts of the ocean. Mark had actually thought they had caught "some kind of dinosaur".


Analysis: I think that this fish is really cool and for him to catch one where it is little known to the world is amazing. I think that this fish could be studied without people killing it and then release it to study its swimming patterns.

No motive- Peyton Wilson 5th

http://www.cnn.com/2013/11/25/justice/sandy-hook-shooting-report/index.html?hpt=hp_t1

Coming up on the anniversary on the Newtown Connecticut Sandy Hook Elementary school shooting, after further research, authorities have concluded that the shooter, Adam Lanza, had no real motive for killing the 20 children and 6 adults. Evidence shows that he certainly planned everything from killing his own mother, to then taking his own life, but nothing shows why. A history of mental illness that affected his ability to lead a normal life and interact with others could, and most likely does, have something to do with his plan to commit what would be the second deadliest school shooting in U.S. history. He was diagnosed with Asperger's syndrome in 2005 and in late middle school, he grew more and more isolated.

'Family Guy' shocker: Major character death(Rhyann lee)

'Family Guy' shocker: Major character death(Rhyann lee)

Summary: On Sunday's episode of the animated Fox series, the Griffin family pooch, Brian, was killed. (Seriously.)
The intelligent and verbose pet was headed into the street to play with his ace companion, mischievous baby Stewie, when he was struck by an oncoming car. His injuries were so severe, he ended up having to say farewell to the family he's bonded with since 1999.

Analysis: I honestly think it will be a good thing to have change in the series ! Although that was a great character it can bring new heights to the show ! Nice way to shake it up http://www.cnn.com/2013/11/25/showbiz/tv/family-guy-brian-dead/index.html?c=us&page=1

"Black Friday" by Addison Jordan

Summary: Did you ever wonder why the day after Thanksgiving is commonly referred to as “Black Friday"?  In the past, the word “black” in front of a day of the week has almost never meant anything good.

Black Monday was the day before the stock market crashed in 1929. Black Wednesday was a day that referred to widespread air traffic confusion in 1954 and also the day that the British government was forced to get out of a pounding from the European Exchange Rate Mechanism in 1992. Previousl, Black Thursday has been associated with days of horrible brush fires, bombings, athletic losses, and other horrible circumstances. 

Black Friday in general was not used as a day where something good happened. It was first used in a New York article referring to the day the gold market collapsed in September 1869.

The executive producer of Vocabulary.com, Ben Zimmer says Black Friday’s association with shopping the day after Thanksgiving began in Philadelphia in the 1960s, and ironically even then the reference wasn’t positive. The police began calling the day after Thanksgiving “Black Friday” because they had to deal with bad traffic and other miseries connected to the large groups of shoppers heading for the stores that day.  Now countless numbers of shoppers head for the malls and retail outlets to look for deals.  For retailers, it must be like a dream come true!

Analysis: It is very interesting to see the different roots and origins of words and phrases. I didn’t know that there was even such a reference as “Black Monday” or “Black Tuesday”, I just knew about Black Friday.  I usually don’t go shopping on Black Friday, but maybe this year, I will.  I will be sure to think of it as a good day.

Link: http://www.nytimes.com/2013/11/24/business/the-transformation-of-black-friday.html?ref=us&_r=0

Byron Otis- New Yorker Nearly Swindled out of 999,000 dollars

http://www.cnn.com/2013/11/23/us/lottery-ticket-alleged-larceny/index.html?hpt=us_c2

When a deli clerk gave a man one thousand dollars for his ten dollar lottery ticket, the man protested. He was right to do so, for he was a much bigger winner than the clerk led him to believe. He won one million dollars, not one thousand. Quite the difference, eh! It is uncertain whether the clerk and his father, the owner of the deli in which they work, will be charged with anything, but their attempted scam was reprehensible, if understandable. 999 thousand dollars would put many people through college. I often wonder what large winners like that do with their money. I hope some charity is involved.

Claire Zimmerman: "US firm Duke Energy Pays Out Over Wind Farm Eagle Deaths"

When eagles hunt, they are not focussing on what is ahead of them: they're looking at the ground, you know, where their food is. This has become rather problematic, because sometimes while they're not looking, they run into wind turbines and are killed. Since 2008, sixty-seven eagles were killed in this manner. The US Fish and Wildlife Service made the Duke Energy Company pay $1 million in compensation for the death of these majestic creatures. They have been developing technology to prevent the deaths of the golden eagles, such as radar to detect when they are approaching the turbines so they can turn them to avoid any collision.

I do not believe that this is the energy company's fault. The eagles accidentally flew into these turbines. It's like when manatees swim into boat propellors. I don't believe they should have been sued, but I do believe that it's good that they're taking up precautions like that. That money could have gone more towards preparing technology to protect these creatures rather than to the organization. The organization is doing good with the money, hopefully, but it could have lessened the cost of developing this technology from the backs of the company.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-25058346

Ex-flight attendant jailed for bogus bomb threats- Umair Nasser

A former United Airlines flight attendant from Dallas has been sentenced to 18 months in federal prison for calling in eight phony bomb threats against United. Patrick Kaiser had pleaded guilty in August to one count of false information. His first bomb hoax came Oct. 4, 2012, when he went to a pay phone near his home to say that a United flight from London to Los Angeles would be bombed later that day. United experienced "substantial disruption" as a result: Planes were evacuated and flights canceled. Passengers were searched, rescreened and rebooked on other planes. Law enforcement agencies searched travelers, baggage and cargo. As part of the sentence, U.S. District Judge Otis Wright II ordered Cau to pay United $304,495 in restitution and to reimburse the Los Angeles Police Department $8,838.

I don't see any reason this man could use to justify his actions. Doing this helped him in no way except to hinder his life. He now has t spend time in jail, and will never be allowed to fly again. I would never think that the inconvenience of getting caught is worth it. As a frequent traveler, I would be livid if my flight was cancelled because of faulty bomb threats. This just goes to show that airlines need to do mental examinations before hiring employees.

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2013/11/25/united-flight-attendant-bomb-threats-prison/3712067/

Teenage Visionary Dies too Soon.

http://www.cnn.com/2013/11/25/showbiz/olivia-wise-death/index.html?c=homepage-t

Olivia gained fame in the last weeks of her 16-year-long life when a Katy Perry song she recorded in a Toronto studio in September became a viral hit online.
"She died peacefully in her home surrounded by the extraordinary love of her family," a family statement sent to CNN said.
The teenager said that she didn't want people crying at her funeral, but that they should celebrate her life, her mother wrote in a letter to CNN.
Her version of Perry's hit "Roar," which she recorded in September after learning there were no more treatments available, drew the attention of Perry after it was published on YouTube in October.
"I was very moved and you sounded great," Perry told her in a video posted on YouTube. "I love you. A lot of people love you and that's why your video got to me. It moved everybody that saw it."
Perry concluded with: "Keep roaring!"
The international attention drew more than a million viewers to Olivia's song and helped raise $77,000 for the Liv Wise Fund that was started in her name in support of brain tumor research.

Response:
I'm usually not the type to get emotional over things, but this story and video brought me to tears. I mean, she was only 16... That's so unbelievably young! It's scary to think about how things like that could happen to any one of us at any moment. I love the "overcoming an illness"  tale, but this just did me in. Not only was she so young, and facing such an overbearing sickness, but she faced it with a smile on her face. I know that if I was in her position I don't think if be as happy as she was.
Not to mention in her short life, she raised so much money for brain cancer research.
This holiday session, I will not only be thankful for my health, but the health of those around me.

Learn how to fight off cancer Arlesia McGowan Period 4

Article by: Alice Park
Date: Friday November 22, 2013


         

  So cancer is a random topic, not as random as oreos and more interesting than the depressing events going on in our world right now. I think we have all heard of the fact that we can impact the risks of getting cancer ourselves, but  do we really now how? Anything can cause cancer, whether it is loss of sleep, not eating right, or not exercising like we are supposed to. In this article studies show that exercising 150 minutes a week can impact the risk of getting cancer and an overall dieting pattern is important for preventing cancer as consuming antioxidants. When it comes to eating right, it not only goes for what we eat, it is how much we consume. Obesity is a key culprit to all diseases and diabetes, making our body vulnerable to anything that's out there, even if we don't have it in our family history. Also, eating less of red meat and eating more fruits than veggies can also lower the risk. Stress can also trigger cancer cells. It is important to not have a jam packed day all the time and to take off for our benefit when we need to. Last, being exposed to no sleep can be the cause of cancer. It is good to get at least more than six hours. I challenge you!
            When I saw this article, I wasn't so surprised because I've seen a million of these already but have never really looked into it. I know in my family line we have diabetes and kidney failure and I am trying to prevent myself from having any problems by exercising and eating right, but sleep is something I have to work on unfortunately. I wish I could sleep more, but there is always so much to do in so little time, which is why I need to manage it better. What do you need to work on?

Peace,
Arlesia

Want more? Click on it! http://www.cnn.com/2013/11/22/health/fighting-off-cancer/index.html?hpt=he_t3

"Tradition falls after 100 years" - Emily Gray

After a 100 years of the famous tradition in New York, the walking Santa's on fifth avenue, finally hang up their coats. The tradition was meant for raising money for less fortunate families on Black Friday, but it has become outdated. A new tradition shall be started in the plaza hotel during the Santa photo shop, they will take donations.

This article was written by Reuters, Yahoo! News. This article was written to inform the holiday go getters of New York. I think that if is sad to have this tradition go away and thy shouldn't have it go away because even if it is outdated it is always fun to watch for new generation.

Link :

"Bush's plans to address Messianic Jewish group irks former aides," Carson Wright, 5th Period

President George W. Bush spoke recently at a Dallas fundraiser for the Messianic Jewish Bible Institute (MJBI). Messianic Jews are people of Jewish heritage who believe that Jesus of Nazareth was indeed the Messiah awaited by the Jewish people. Tevi Troy, a former aide of the Bush administration to the Jewish community, has expressed his disappointment with the decision of the former president to speak for the MJBI. This discontent comes from the fact that the MJBI is an organization built on converting Jews to Christianity. Troy says that "'there's good historical reason for the Jewish discomfort,'" as the people of Jewish faith and heritage have all too often known hardships such as anti-Semitism and forced conversion throughout history. Troy and many other Jews take offense at the contention of the MJBI that Jews need to be "saved." However, Troy has said that Bush was "'a very good president to the Jewish people,'" as he fought against terrorism, was "a friend to Israel," and was an "outspoken opponent of anti-Semitism."
Still, Troy contends that this effort to convert Jews "'dates back to a time when forced conversion was a serious issue, when the church was imbued with the power of the state.'" Thus, it is seen as offensive, as it undermines the Jewish heritage and suggests that Jewish people are somehow incomplete. And "while Messianic Jews believe it's possible to be Jewish while believing Jesus is the Messiah, others say this makes as much sense as a vegetarian who believes in scarfing down steak."
Through this controversy over the MJBI and George W. Bush, Troy is not worried by Messianic converting organizations, as he knows such is not an issue today. Rather, he is concerned with the number of Jews in America that "don't identify with any faith, let alone their own." Troy contends that "'Judaism...has other and bigger problems.'"

With all of the culture and identity found in the Jewish heritage, it's not hard to see why many people of the Jewish faith would be put off by organizations such as the MJBI. After all, if one is faced with a proselytizing company built on altering one's unique socioreligious way of life, one may be rather taken aback by the implications of such.
Furthermore, despite his commendable efforts to fight modern anti-Semitism, isn't very surprising that George W. Bush, as a conservative Christian, chose to speak at the Messianic Jewish Bible Institute. But, as Tevi Troy said, groups like the MJBI aren't the root of the problems for American Jews. Judaism has always been small compared to other major world religions such as Hinduism and Christianity. And while I have some skeptical views towards organized religion, I do very much hope that Judaism maintains its faith and the rich cultural heritage that it brings to society's table.

Article: http://religion.blogs.cnn.com/2013/11/13/bushs-plans-irk-jewish-aides/?hpt=us_bn3

City bans smoking in the home Tyra Harris, 5th period

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/11/23/san-rafael-smoking-ban_n_4326768.html?ir=Business

 Summary: Last year, the city council of San Rafael, California, unanimously voted to ban smoking in "dwellings that share a wall with another unit, including apartments, duplexes and condominiums." It is the city's hope to eliminate secondhand smoke that annually kills 50, 000 Americans, according to a US Surgeon General report. The ban took into effect last week. Some residents oppose the ban, while the American Lung Association calls the law "groundbreaking".

Analysis: Just weeks ago, the New York City instated a law prohibiting people under the age of 21 buying/using tobacco products. Now, on the other side of the country, those living in condos, apartments, lofts, duplexes and apartments aren't allowed to smoke cigarettes in the privacy of their home. That's outrageous! They pay rent for their shelters and should be allowed to do have a smoke in the place they pay for. The government continues to take away smokers freedoms. This should be considered an abuse of power. It's so tyrannical and controlling. 

--Tyra Harris, 5th period