Beka Canfield- Syria Strike

http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2013/aug/31/Obama-set-speak-Syria-white-house-115-pm-eft/

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/06/13/world/middleeast/violence-in-syria-continues-as-protesters-killed.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0

Summary: The United States government 

has received reliable information stating that 

the Syrian government has recently used 

chemical warfare against Its own people in 

the midst of the Syrian civil war. President

 Obama has announced his plan to take 

military action against the Syrian 

government pending Congress' agreement 

when they convene in September. 

Analysis: From a moral standpoint, the 

president's decision does seem like the 

obvious thing to do. We are a world 

superpower; we have a responsibility to 

make sure that governments across the 

globe  are treating their citizens with respect.

 However, considering that the Syrian 

government will be considerably weakened 

upon America's intrusion, the question we 

need to ask is this: will the opposition to the 

Syrian government be better leaders for the 

Syrian people? We need to be confident that 

the Syrian rebels will not be oppressive and 

will treat the citizens of Syria well before we 

make the decision to play a part in this war. 

"Okla. woman, pet kangaroo find new home at zoo" Aliyah Christian

Christie Carr is a woman living in Oklahoma who rescued a red kangaroo and nursed him back to health after he was partially paralyzed from running into a fence a few years ago. The red kangaroo's name is Irwin and he sleeps in a bed, eats twizzlers and wears boy's clothes sometimes too. Christie thought she had done everything the right way and had her therapist certify Irwin as a therapy pet under the Americans with Disabilities Act. But city officials initially feared Irwin could pose a threat to the public's safety. Christie's vet said that Irwin will not grow bigger than 50 pounds, but the city officials were still not happy with the idea of a red kangaroo living inside city limits. 

Two years after battling a city council in northeastern Oklahoma over Carr's right to keep a "therapy kangaroo," she found Irwin a home at an exotic animal park. The animal park is called The Garold Wayne Interactive Zoological Park. They also offered Christie a place to live as well, in the zoo's staff house, so she could remain in close contact with Irwin. Christie and Irwin have lived at the zoo ever since.

I personally believe that some animals can bond with humans. I think that Christie must really love the kangaroo, in order to leave her home and move to the zoo to be close to him. This zoo seems to be very special and seems to be making positive improvements with both animals as well as humans. I am happy for both Christie Carr and Irwin the red kangaroo.

http://news.yahoo.com/okla-woman-pet-kangaroo-home-zoo-194613353.html

Meg Mickelsen Fast Food Strike

All over the US, fast food workers are protesting their low wages.  On Thursday employees from chains such as McDonalds an Taco Bell walked out in 60 cities nationwide.  They want to raise the minimum wage to $15. Congress has also suggested that the minimum wage be raised to $9.  Some fast food chain restaurants are operating normally in most areas and are only being affected in cities like New York, where 150 people were chanting in front of Wendy's, "We can't survive on 7:25," which is the current minimum wage.  Many workers also complain on not being able to work enough hours to live above the poverty line, and many are also protesting the restrictions on unionizing.  The restaurants retort that higher wages would lead to higher costs and that many of their employees are young adults with little work experience or financial responsibility.  No matter ones personal viewpoint on minimum wage, this issue is of utmost importance to the American population.  Fast Food is one of the U.S.'s largest industries and it's success or failure greatly effects the economy.  On the other hand, all countries should strive to keep as many people out of poverty as possible.  The article I read appeared on BBC news and was very educational and informative with no obvious biases.  The news source being from a non American viewpoint added to the impartial quality of the article, which is imperative when addressing an enormous issue such as this one.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-23886031

Test post - Jack

"Thousands of Leaked Documents" - Victoria Lennox 2nd Period

Army Private, Bradley Manning, has been convicted of leaking hundreds of thousands of classified documents to a website, “WikiLeaks”. A few days ago, on August 21, 2013, Private manning was officially sentenced to 35 years in a military prison. Because of this crime committed by Private Manning, his rank will be reduced, he will forfeit all pay and allowances, and he will also receive a dishonorable discharge.
         Manning had absolutely no emotion when he received his sentence. He thought that by releasing all of the documents that he was going to help people rather than hurt them. Manning last week apologized for his actions in a short statement he read during the trial's sentencing phase. "I'm sorry that my actions hurt people," Manning said. "I'm sorry that they hurt the United States. The release of the documents has been described as the most extensive leak of classified information in U.S. history.
         I believe that Bradley Manning knew exactly what he was doing when he was doing it. To be honest, I cannot find a logical explanation as to why he decided to do this. Judge Col. Denise Lind says Manning’s conduct "was both wanton and reckless." She added that it "was of a heedless nature that made it actually and imminently dangerous to others."

http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/bradley-manning-sentenced-35-years-leaking-secrets/story?id=20021288

Ilana Lemack 5th period Summer Heat Prompting Some Schools To Close Early

Summary:

            The unbearable heat in several Colorado, Texas, and Illinois cities is causing many schools to be released early or, depending on the school, cancel classes all together. Schools in Illinois canceled classes for students on Tuesday, however they required teachers to report to work. Schools in Colorado released the students from school hours early. The temperatures were reaching 93 degrees and adding the humidity the schools could feel as hot as 103 degrees.

            Other schools in Chicago did not release the students, but they took extra precautions to keep the students and teachers cooled down on Tuesday. Many schools were left without power in all classrooms but one or two, so during the day if a student got overheated they could take a break in an air-conditioned room.

            Parents of the students had mixed reviews of how to deal with the heat. Some parents thought that their students should not have to suffer through the insane heat while other parents said that if they could make it through the heat with no air-conditioning several years ago, so can their children.

Analysis:

            I think that if schools are over heated, especially in states like Texas, it is extremely important to take precautions to keep the students and teachers hydrated and cool. Whether it’s constant breaks to the air conditioned rooms, water bottles available for everyone, or even canceling classes, whatever is necessary to ensure that everyone is safe and kept cooled down.

            The students’ parents may have different opinions of what they think is best for their kids, but in the end it is about what the head of the school and school district believe will be best for all the students.

http://chicago.cbslocal.com/2013/08/27/summer-heat-prompting-some-schools-to-close-early/ 

Ashley Moore 4th Period Current Event

Ashley Moore

4th Period

Week One Current Event

"Let's Not Let Robin Thicke Off the Hook"

    In Miley Cyrus's most recent VMA performance, most viewers were appalled and extremely disturbed when they saw the prior Disney star wearing minimal clothing, twerking on Robin Thicke, and sticking her tongue out way too much for comfort. Miley has received all kinds of negative feedback from those who watched this performance, and pretty much everyone is disappointed in her. However, the author of this article brings a new point to the table, Robin Thicke has "flown under the shame radar." No one has really commented on how inappropriate and disrespectful his performance was, even though he was Miley's partner in crime. 

   The author also points out that in his opinion, Miley is still a child; she's only 20. In modern times, the Internet has exposed children to, what adults consider, inappropriate and disturbing images. And that's the reality of 2013. He also says that all kids make mistakes on their way to adulthood, but they're still okay people. Miley is still a very talented person, and she's still on her way. But, Robin Thicke is another situation. He's 36 years old, a husband, and a father. The author says, " I'm not an MTV producer, but I'm pretty confident Mr. Thicke knew exactly how that performance was going to go down. Foam fingers, package grabbing, twerking, Miley backing herself into his hips like he was an open garage door, and the rest of the mess." Acting that way towards a twenty-year old girl is clearly disrespectful, and not an okay way to treat any woman, or human being. 

   To end the article, the author addresses his seventeen-year old son, with whom he watched the twerk show. He tells his son that it's okay to make mistakes on his way to adulthood while finding his way to adulthood. However, he advises his son to avoid twerking on national television and using foam fingers for the wrong reasons. But, he is not open-minded to his son treating any woman, or human being, with the disrespect that Robin Thicke showed towards Miley.

   As a reader, I admit I did the same thing that pretty much every viewer of the VMA's did. I only judged Miley, thinking she was gross, disturbing, and on a downward spiral. I thought nothing of Robin Thicke. But, this article has opened my eyes of who was really the wrong-doer in this situation. Miley is still a child, learning from her mistakes (hopefully), and still growing up. As a child, I've also made a lot of stupid mistakes. And reading the author's point of view has made me sympathize Miley. I do not condone what she did, it was still gross. But I understand that she may still be too young to realize how inappropriate it was. But, Robin Thicke is another story. He's a father. Can you imagine? Watching your dad on national television, being twerked on by someone who is sixteen years younger than him, who is not your mom, and enjoying it. No thank you. Mr. Thicke is an adult, and thus should be more wise than Miley. But, he acted in a disrespectful and disappointing way. And that should not be going as unnoticed as it is. 

http://www.cnn.com/2013/08/30/living/robin-thicke-responsibility-miley-cyrus/index.html?hpt=hp_c4

Sam Schwall- Bag It, Trader Joe's Tells 'Pirate Grocer' In Canada

 

            I selected the article, Bag It, Trader Joe’s Tells ‘Pirate’ Grocer In Canada, by Bill Chappell. The article explores Canadian, Mark Hallatt’s recreation of a Trader Joe’s grocery store in Vancouver. Because the city lacks a Trader Joe’s store, Hallatt has taken it upon himself to drive across the U.S. border to find a Trader Joe’s location, buy groceries and resell the items in his store called Pirate Joe’s. This has resulted in a lawsuit that Hallatt finds ridiculous. Despite being asked to not shop at a Trader Joe’s location, Hallatt’s store, now called _Irate Joe’s is still going strong. After pointing out the fact that others have resold the brand’s items, he feels that the company should either open a store in Canada or leave the market alone.

            The article was written by an American and posted on NPR.org, so it can be assumed that the author and publisher feel some allegiance to the American market and might side with the California headquartered Trader Joe’s. It was posted on the American website on August 30, 2013, and Trader Joe’s has been expanding recently which makes this story especially valid. Before reading this, I had been to a Trader Joe’s store but wasn’t aware of the Canadian, _Irate Joe’s. Because I was familiar with the company, this made the idea of a replica store more surprising. I believe that Chappell wrote this primarily for Americans with a slightly negative influence in mind as he’s examining a direct knockoff of a well-known establishment. In many ways I felt that this article was pointing out how absurd the idea of a resale grocery store is, and was written partly for humor’s sake. At the same time it was written to inform an audience on an international economic and legal issue. The article should be important to us because it is a direct example of the boundaries of the economy and marketing. After reading the story I concluded that the Trader Joe’s corporation might win the lawsuit because of its established name and the obvious copying of their business model. While this article may not have the same relevance as a story about foreign policy or stem cell research for example, marketing and business makes up a large part of our everyday lives.

http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2013/08/30/217210915/bag-it-trader-joes-tells-pirate-grocer-in-canada

Test post - Sarah Klein

Testing 1-2-3. A little about me: I am new here at Booker T. I am a member of the music cluster (mainly a pianist). I came from TAG.

Claire Zimmerman: The Syrian Conflict Gets Complicated

I got this video from BBC website. This video came out today. John Kerry (secretary of state) was giving a speech about the Syrian conflict. He started off saying that the United States Government could not tell us much about what is happening, but they could tell us a few things. These things are that there were preparations being made for the attack 3 days prior, the Government had been informed to wear gas masks, that these chemical weapons were launched from pro-Assad regime areas aimed at rebel areas, and that 1429 Syrians died in this attack. 426 of them were children.

The article that was below the video was not just addressing what he said in the video; it started talking about how the rest of the world reacted to the video. The Assad regime, however, came out saying that all of these reports are completely false. The United Kingdom stated that it was not going to go to war with us to Syria. France, on the other hand, said that they gave us their full support.  At this day and age, who can we really trust?

My family does a pretty good job keeping up with current events, so I know a fair amount about what’s going on in Syria. I wasn’t an expert, but I knew the basics: that the people were rebelling against their government. Stuff like this is happening a lot in the Middle East and North Africa. People are finally getting fed up with the governments they have, so they start rebelling and trying to overthrow it.

This article was written for any adult. It is an informative article, plainly written so that anyone can understand it. It was written so that more people can understand the violent occurrences that are going on in the Middle East. This article doesn’t really have something that it’s trying to portray besides just the facts of what happened. It just wanted to tell you what happened so you can form your own belief on the matter. This article is important because if we go to war with Syria, it will do a lot more damage to our country than it will good. We are already fighting another war. We are almost $16 million in debt. We have lots of problems occurring in our country.

America has a bad habit of trying to be a superhero. We want to help everyone. I’m not saying that helping people is bad. In this case, I wish we had the resources to save all those innocent lives that have been lost because of this revolution. But it’s like what they say when you are on an airplane during those safety procedures: you have to put on your mask first in order to help others. We have to take care of ourselves before we go off fighting other peoples’ wars that we have no business fighting in.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-23906913