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/