As we wrap up another quarter, I would like to say that I have really enjoyed this class. I think we had good discussions, and I hope you learned something! You all make me realize why I love my job. I wish you all the best in your future endeavors.
For our last blog post, I would like to know your thoughts and comments on this class. "What did you like most? What did you like least? Is there anything I can change to make the class better?" I always take your feedback to heart, so please be honest! Answers are due no later than Monday, September 21st, 2009. After that, the blog will be down until class resumes next quarter. Have a wonderful fall break!
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Write your own destiny - make your own future
As you have probably heard, President Obama is giving a “Back to School” speech today that will be aired live across the country. The President will speak to students directly about working hard and the benefits of staying in school. You can access the full transcript of what President Obama intends to say at: http://www.whitehouse.gov/MediaResources/PreparedSchoolRemarks/
The speech has sparked a huge controversy as some feel the President is pushing his own political agenda. School districts in Texas, Illinois, Minnesota, Missouri, Virginia and Washington have decided not to show the speech live to students. Other school districts are allowing parents to have the children “opt out” of a live showing. Oklahoma Republican state Senator Steve Russell even went as far as to say “As far as I am concerned, this is not civics education — it gives the appearance of creating a cult of personality. This is something you'd expect to see in North Korea or in Saddam Hussein's Iraq."
Now, I admit, I only read the transcript of what Obama is going to say this morning as I sat down to write this blog. That being said, the controversy it has generated has really irked me. America was founded on the principle of free flowing information. In my opinion, restricting that information causes more harm than good. Regardless of whether or not I agreed politically with the President, I think I would be honored if the President decided to come to my child’s school. I was raised to respect people in authority, even if I didn’t always agree with them, be it my parents, my teachers, or yes, even the President. To me, it seems this would be a good opportunity for parents to talk to their children about what they are learning in school. Instead, many have turned it into just another political argument with both sides slinging attacks.
So this week I would first like you to read the transcript of the speech, or if you are able, watch it live on television. My question to you this week is, “What do you think of the speech and the controversy surrounding it? Would you allow your children to watch it in a classroom setting? Why or why not?” Answers are due no later than Monday, September 14th, 2009.
The speech has sparked a huge controversy as some feel the President is pushing his own political agenda. School districts in Texas, Illinois, Minnesota, Missouri, Virginia and Washington have decided not to show the speech live to students. Other school districts are allowing parents to have the children “opt out” of a live showing. Oklahoma Republican state Senator Steve Russell even went as far as to say “As far as I am concerned, this is not civics education — it gives the appearance of creating a cult of personality. This is something you'd expect to see in North Korea or in Saddam Hussein's Iraq."
Now, I admit, I only read the transcript of what Obama is going to say this morning as I sat down to write this blog. That being said, the controversy it has generated has really irked me. America was founded on the principle of free flowing information. In my opinion, restricting that information causes more harm than good. Regardless of whether or not I agreed politically with the President, I think I would be honored if the President decided to come to my child’s school. I was raised to respect people in authority, even if I didn’t always agree with them, be it my parents, my teachers, or yes, even the President. To me, it seems this would be a good opportunity for parents to talk to their children about what they are learning in school. Instead, many have turned it into just another political argument with both sides slinging attacks.
So this week I would first like you to read the transcript of the speech, or if you are able, watch it live on television. My question to you this week is, “What do you think of the speech and the controversy surrounding it? Would you allow your children to watch it in a classroom setting? Why or why not?” Answers are due no later than Monday, September 14th, 2009.
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
The Dream Shall Never Die
I would be remiss if I did not devote this week’s blog to remembering the life of Senator Edward Kennedy who passed away August 26th, 2009 after a year long battle with brain cancer. Kennedy served 47 years in the Senate and was a strong advocate for healthcare reform, education, civil rights and immigration.
I spent this weekend watching all of the inevitable biographies, past television appearances and speeches that come on whenever someone famous passes on. To be sure, Kennedy’s life had its ups and downs. He suffered political setbacks and at times, personal setbacks as well. However, as I watched, the one thing that struck me was how much Senator Kennedy had seen and endured throughout his lifetime. I thought of the assassination of his two brothers, and Dr. King. I thought about Senator Kennedy having to pick up the slack while a whole nation watched. I thought about Vietnam and the revolution of the 1960’s. I thought about Nixon and the Watergate scandal that rocked our country to its core.
It got me thinking about how our generation will define itself. Years from now, what will be our legacy? So my question to you this week is, “What do you think defines our generation? What will you be telling future generations about the events that you lived through?” Answers are due no later than Monday, September 7th, 2009. Have a Happy and safe holiday weekend!
I spent this weekend watching all of the inevitable biographies, past television appearances and speeches that come on whenever someone famous passes on. To be sure, Kennedy’s life had its ups and downs. He suffered political setbacks and at times, personal setbacks as well. However, as I watched, the one thing that struck me was how much Senator Kennedy had seen and endured throughout his lifetime. I thought of the assassination of his two brothers, and Dr. King. I thought about Senator Kennedy having to pick up the slack while a whole nation watched. I thought about Vietnam and the revolution of the 1960’s. I thought about Nixon and the Watergate scandal that rocked our country to its core.
It got me thinking about how our generation will define itself. Years from now, what will be our legacy? So my question to you this week is, “What do you think defines our generation? What will you be telling future generations about the events that you lived through?” Answers are due no later than Monday, September 7th, 2009. Have a Happy and safe holiday weekend!
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Should the United States torture?
This week, the CIA released their 2004 inspector general’s report revealing the full extent of harsh methods used on terror suspects. The report found that CIA investigators routinely staged mock executions, and used power drills, guns, and waterboarding techniques to extract information from the detainees.
These “enhanced interrogation techniques” have caused moral, ethic and legal debates across the country. President Obama has gone so far as to call some of these techniques “torture”. As the debate rages on, many feel is boils down to one question, “Did the harsh methods like waterboarding cause terrorist suspects to give up valuable information?” Like so many things in Washington, it depends on who you ask.
The program’s defenders, most notably former Vice President Dick Cheney have long claimed that the detainees broke down under the coercive techniques and gave up crucial tips. The information they provided helped foil imminent terrorist plots against the United States, and thus saved American lives. One the other hand, the inspector general’s report says it “did not uncover any evidence that these plots were imminent.” The report also raises the fundamental questions of whether the interrogators needed to use enhanced techniques at all. The report states that at least in some instances, they were used “without justification.”
So my question to you this week is, “What do you think of the ‘torture’ debate? Should the United States engage in these practices if it means keeping us safe?” Answers are due no later than Monday, August 31st, 2009.
These “enhanced interrogation techniques” have caused moral, ethic and legal debates across the country. President Obama has gone so far as to call some of these techniques “torture”. As the debate rages on, many feel is boils down to one question, “Did the harsh methods like waterboarding cause terrorist suspects to give up valuable information?” Like so many things in Washington, it depends on who you ask.
The program’s defenders, most notably former Vice President Dick Cheney have long claimed that the detainees broke down under the coercive techniques and gave up crucial tips. The information they provided helped foil imminent terrorist plots against the United States, and thus saved American lives. One the other hand, the inspector general’s report says it “did not uncover any evidence that these plots were imminent.” The report also raises the fundamental questions of whether the interrogators needed to use enhanced techniques at all. The report states that at least in some instances, they were used “without justification.”
So my question to you this week is, “What do you think of the ‘torture’ debate? Should the United States engage in these practices if it means keeping us safe?” Answers are due no later than Monday, August 31st, 2009.
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Who made the best President?
This week's blog post will be short and sweet. In a previous blog, I asked students who they thought would've made a great President that never held the office. This week, I would like to focus on those men that have held the office.
My question to you this week is threefold: "Which President did the best job on domestic issues ? Which President did the best job on foreign policy? Who do you think was the best President overall?" Make sure you state why you feel the way you do. If you aren't sure, then look it up! You must answer all three questions to get full credit for this week's blog. Answers are due no later than Monday, August 24th, 2009.
My question to you this week is threefold: "Which President did the best job on domestic issues ? Which President did the best job on foreign policy? Who do you think was the best President overall?" Make sure you state why you feel the way you do. If you aren't sure, then look it up! You must answer all three questions to get full credit for this week's blog. Answers are due no later than Monday, August 24th, 2009.
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Have you driven a Ford lately?
I've never been much of a car person. I drive a 1999 Nissan Sentra and usually, when people ask what kind of car I drive, I just say "A black one". I get flat tires regularly and this summer my air conditioning went out. For years family and friends have suggested I look into getting a new car, but as long as it gets me where I am going, I'm okay with driving a car that is a decade old. That is, until recently.
It started when the US car companies found themselves in real trouble. I began finding myself drawn to commercials offering no interest financing and other great deals designed to lure people like me into the showroom. Then I began seriously considering it when I heard about President Obama's "Cash for Clunkers" program. Today I heard news that might just push me over the edge and into the dealership.
GM is now marketing the Chevrolet Volt, a rechargeable electric car that will get 230 mpg! That is more than four times what the Toyota Prius gets. The Volt is powered by an electric motor and battery pack. The battery pack can be recharged from a standard home outlet. The Volt will cost roughly $40,000 and will be available in 2010.
Now, $40,000 is way out of my price range for car, but it did get me thinking. Will my next car be electric or a hybrid? Is there really any other solution? And what does that mean for the American big three auto companies? Will my future children laugh when they hear mommy used to drive a car that used gas? So my question to you this week is "What do you think of electric or hybrid cars? Are they the wave of the future or just a modern day fad? How do you think this will impact the American auto makers?" Answers are due no later than Monday, August 17th, 2009.
It started when the US car companies found themselves in real trouble. I began finding myself drawn to commercials offering no interest financing and other great deals designed to lure people like me into the showroom. Then I began seriously considering it when I heard about President Obama's "Cash for Clunkers" program. Today I heard news that might just push me over the edge and into the dealership.
GM is now marketing the Chevrolet Volt, a rechargeable electric car that will get 230 mpg! That is more than four times what the Toyota Prius gets. The Volt is powered by an electric motor and battery pack. The battery pack can be recharged from a standard home outlet. The Volt will cost roughly $40,000 and will be available in 2010.
Now, $40,000 is way out of my price range for car, but it did get me thinking. Will my next car be electric or a hybrid? Is there really any other solution? And what does that mean for the American big three auto companies? Will my future children laugh when they hear mommy used to drive a car that used gas? So my question to you this week is "What do you think of electric or hybrid cars? Are they the wave of the future or just a modern day fad? How do you think this will impact the American auto makers?" Answers are due no later than Monday, August 17th, 2009.
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Should newspapers be saved?
This week, I would like to revisit a topic I have previously blogged about. Recently, we studied how the media affects our political culture. In a few weeks, we will discuss why media is sometimes called the fourth branch of government. The media's influence on politics has always affected how we view our politicians; from the times of the penny press, FDR's fireside chats and the televised Kennedy/Nixon debates. However, it is now possible that some major cities will soon no longer have a newspaper.
In a recent cover story, Times author Walter Issacon notes that although readership is on the rise, fewer consumers are paying. According to a Pew Research study, more people got their news online for free last year, than paid for it by buying newspapers and magazines. The newspapers, which traditionally have counted on sales from subscriptions and newsstands are now only relying on advertising dollars, thus making the content beholden to the advertisers themselves.Walter Issacon makes a case for charging for the news we access. Whether we pay an online subscription fee for the newspaper of our choice, or we are simply charged a "user fee" for each article we access, Issacon stresses that charging for content might just be the only way to save our newspapers.
You are all creative students, who produce artistic content that I am sure you would like to get paid for, yet at the same time, I am sure many of your access news for free off of the Internet. So my question to you this week is, "Do you think we should be charged for the news we access, and if so, with what kind of fee?". Answers are due no later thanMonday, August 10th, 2009 .
In a recent cover story, Times author Walter Issacon notes that although readership is on the rise, fewer consumers are paying. According to a Pew Research study, more people got their news online for free last year, than paid for it by buying newspapers and magazines. The newspapers, which traditionally have counted on sales from subscriptions and newsstands are now only relying on advertising dollars, thus making the content beholden to the advertisers themselves.Walter Issacon makes a case for charging for the news we access. Whether we pay an online subscription fee for the newspaper of our choice, or we are simply charged a "user fee" for each article we access, Issacon stresses that charging for content might just be the only way to save our newspapers.
You are all creative students, who produce artistic content that I am sure you would like to get paid for, yet at the same time, I am sure many of your access news for free off of the Internet. So my question to you this week is, "Do you think we should be charged for the news we access, and if so, with what kind of fee?". Answers are due no later thanMonday, August 10th, 2009 .
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