Osama Bin Laden is Dead

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/us_bin_laden
 As it turns out, the leader of Al Qaeda was finally killed by U.S. troops after nearly 10 years of searching for him. Osama Bin Laden was responsible for the 9/11 attacks and other deaths of Americans. Many celebrated when hearing the news that President Obama reported today. Hopefully no more terrorists attacks will happen now that the Al Qaeda has lost its true leader and terrorism will cease to exist.

Immigration Discussion Reflection

On Thursday, our class had to have a discussion based on the issue of Immigration. Immigration, lately, has been a huge topic that has been mentioned in the media quite frequently now than back then. More and more laws have been created and rejected over the country which shows that it is becoming divided over an issue that requires a solution. In class, everyone was entitled to their opinion and looked at the issue from all points in how it is good and bad. I saw some tension in the class over the topic and I had some of my own too because I personally disagreed with some of what was said by others. It just really depended on how each person looked at the issue and what they thought was more important. This whole immigration issue looks like its becoming more racial profiled and discriminative because of the immigrant appearance and the most race that gets targeted by these laws.

States shouldn't make separate immigration laws

http://latino.foxnews.com/latino/politics/2011/04/27/obama-states-immigration-laws/
This article mentions of how several states across the country are wanting to develop their own form of "immigration law" just like how Arizona did but are like being put aside because President Obama doesn't want there to be a variety of immigration laws. First of all, i think that if this is allowed there will be a whole lot more of problems and possible riots, which thankfully haven't occurred so far, and also many will have to adapt to each law when it comes to moving to certain states across the country. There isn't a need for a lot of immigration laws everywhere and why not first try to come up with a better solution to this issue instead of going into "law-making" first? The laws aren't really required and it's not so much kicking out immigrants or making their lives impossible but to come up with a sort of compromise that can ease up the issue.

Education Discussion Reflection

On the day of the class discussion, our main topic was based on the Education Reform and all that came with it. There was alot said like taking education for granted nowadays, improving test scores amongst U.S. students, how persuading can improve educational teaching, and other issues and ideas as well. Also, what the reform on education should bring to the students when it comes to improving learning for our generation and future generations as well. Education is very important and many should value it completely because some don't have this right or even struggle to get a education. This reform isn't going to be easy because there could be benefits, backfires from teachers' unions, and more. Students should have some input into this reform and that was another point that was being brought up from my peers alot. We can only hope that this reform will have this and other great influential ideas put in it and be effective.

Should good teachers be rewarded for student achievement?

http://www.cnn.com/2011/OPINION/03/02/bennett.education.teachers.unions/index.html

In this article, there were several mentioned points that kind of stood out because it was suggesting that those teachers who teach well to their students should, in fact, get paid more. But how will it be known whether a teachers teaches well or not? There was a question that was asked that said "How is it that teachers have become "public enemy number one?" and i stopped to think on this. Teachers have been targeted lately throughout this education reform but then there was a statement that was made. "The single most decisive factor in student achievement is excellent teaching" and it is true depending on the teacher though. Unfortunately, America spends about $550 billion on the public education and to find out that scores on assessments are below basic is very disappointing. This idea of paying teachers in reward for good students doesn't seem like a bad idea but there should be a lot more considered first.

Options being considered over Libyan Violence

http://www.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/africa/02/24/us.obama.libya/index.html?hpt=T1

In this article, President Obama comes together with other international leaders from other countries to discuss of what will be done in Libya. Obama spoke with the French president Nicolas Sarkozy, the Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, and the British Prime Minister David Cameron. They discussed several options and some of them are being considered since the violence never ceases to stop and the killings seem to grow and grow. It was mentioned that the "Libyan government will be held accountable for its actions" and that it should be stopped from attacking and killing its people. The citizens of Libya are to be protected and to put an end on all the innocent killings of peaceful protesters, and the threats as well. This is also affecting us because of the gas prices going up since Libya is a country that has oil. There should be some sort of closure and have Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi step down already to promote change.

Obama talks Libya with leaders of France, Italy, Uk. CNN Wire Staff. CNN.com. February 24, 2011

Discussion Reflection

The discussion our government class had on the friday before break left me sort of speechless. Almost everybody had something great to say and there was a lot of tension in the class because each point that was made was sort of attacked but not taken into a big argument. This discussion left me with a lot to say but the tension kept me from speaking up this time. I certainly look forward to the next class discussion because my peers make them very interesting and worth it because of what was said and where they stand. Of course the points that were made in class didn't change my view of the issue at all since I was for and against the issue. Overall, great discussion and I hope that the next is just as good as this one.

State of the Union project

These words have stood out to me for various reasons. The most important ones were jobs, health, imagination, clean-energy, and education because they are very important in a sense that its like an every-day use to me. Jobs are needed everyday and without them one wouldn't be able to get by. Health is a major because I hate getting sick and trying to stay healthy is something that I don't really do but others would try and stay healthy. I always carry my imagination with me because it is a part of me. Clean-energy and the planet is affected everyday and should be a issue that should deserve some attention. Most of the words I put down have come across my mind in several situations whether it was something personal or having to know someone who was dealing with a problem that related to this. 

Obama Speaks On Egypt Crisis

In this article, President Obama speaks on the Egypt issue that has been making headlines lately. I found this interesting because at first, I didn't really know why there was such a protest until I heard in the news and in some of my classes. When I heard of what it was really about, I realized that it is in fact important since the president wants to get involved and help in the situation. I heard of how there were evacuations in Egypt and now the Obama Administration is pushing Murbarak, Egypt's president, to step down already to ease up the situation. Egypt is very important to the United States because of what help it can provide. Obama wants Egypt to change its ways of how it used to be back then. This issue might require some time so we might still hear about it.

"Obama says Egypt's transition 'must begin now'".CNN Wire Staff. CNN.com. February 1, 2011

Reflection

On Friday, we had a class discussion on the topic of the Health Care Reform. While I just sat in my seat and listened to what my peers had to say, they brought up really good points and answered most of the questions I had. I realized then and there that most of us do feeling really strong about this issue because almost everybody had something to say about it. Of course, it seemed like the class became two-sided but then again everyone had their own opinions over the topic. I for one believe that this should be a right and not a privilege because most of the people I know have economic issues and struggle with payments and bills. The fact is is that it is not just on those who are immigrants who don't deserve insurance because they work hard and yeah this is just the way I look at this. While I listened to some of the points that were made by my peers, I also had my agreements and disagreements with what was said. Overall, it was a good discussion during the whole class period.

Distractions While Walking Becoming Illegal??

Recently last month, a woman was apparently walking in a mall while she was texting on her cellphone and walked straight into a fountain. Ever since this incident, there have been several suggestions in making a new law stating that it is illegal to test and walk at the same time. This has to be absurd for the fact that it seems like we are being restricted to do something. It  makes sense if it is for everyone's safety but I don't think there is a need for a law restricting someone from being distracted while he/she is walking. It seems to have gone a little too far. If people don't be careful, we will eventually have laws imposed on us on every single little thing. Either people watch their actions and what they do because the consequences will be very upsetting and completely unnecessary if we know that we could put a stop on it.

"New York Moves to Ban Use of Distracting Gadgets While Walking". FoxNews.com. January 25, 2011

Benjamin Franklin Challenge!!

So two days ago, my classmates and I were given an assignment in our English 4 class were we have to challenge ourselves in any way whether it's giving up a habit, trying something new, or just accomplish a goal for once. I decided to either arrive to school earlier or stop being lazy and actually do something productive for once. This challenge will have to be for at least a week and each day I will have to write a sentence of how it has been going and, to be honest, it is pretty hard trying to make it to school early since all of the traffic piles up on the main street that is close to the school. It actually feels pretty good to know that I am doing something good and that I am trying..