Tuesday, May 29, 2012
Senior Reflection #3
For me the biggest aspect of high school that I will miss the most is being with all my friends all the time in my classes. Most of my friends have grown up with me since elementary school so our friendship has become very close with each other. I feel like the friendships that you make in high school will last your entire lifetime because of how close with people you get. After graduation all your different friends in the high school class go on to different schools and start to lead their own separate lives but you can still try and remain in contact. This is what I feel makes an amazing high school experience for any student is to have great people around you all the time.
Senior Reflection #2
I plan on going to Virginia Tech for college because I enjoy the atmosphere and feel of the school. All the students seem really relaxed and nice to everybody around them and make it feel like a much more comfortable place to live and learn. Also the school itself is great with good programs in math and science and world renown professors. The food at Tech is also great which is always a good thing since I'm going to be living there for the next four years. In general I really enjoy Virginia Tech and I'll have a great time going to school down there.
Senior Reflection #1
My last year of high school seems like if it flew by. All my classes this year were great and I learned a great amount of material in each. Hopefully I passed all the AP Exams that I took this year and get all the college credit so I can save money when I get to college and skip some entry level courses. Met some great new friends this year and got even closer with distant friends. Overall senior year has been really fun and I couldn't have asked for a better year and I'm definitely going to remember it the most over all other years that I had in high school.
4th Quarter Current Event #4
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/47567884
Children have been eating miniature laundry detergent packs which have arrived on store shelves recently as an alternative to bulky bottles. Doctors across the country are confusing the tiny brightly colored packets of detergent with candy and end up swallowing them. Nearly 250 cases have been reported so far and the symptoms are worst than typical detergent poisonings. The lightweight plastic packets contain a single-use amount of detergent that dissolves in water and intended to be used in place of liquid or powder. Tide has been working closely with poison control centers to make sure parents know more about the risks to their children.
I choose this article because I have younger siblings and I wanted to know more about this new type of detergent that is more dangerous to children. The article was well written and have expert opinions of doctors and industry specialists. I enjoyed learning about this new consumer product its benefits and the health risk that it poses to young children.
Children have been eating miniature laundry detergent packs which have arrived on store shelves recently as an alternative to bulky bottles. Doctors across the country are confusing the tiny brightly colored packets of detergent with candy and end up swallowing them. Nearly 250 cases have been reported so far and the symptoms are worst than typical detergent poisonings. The lightweight plastic packets contain a single-use amount of detergent that dissolves in water and intended to be used in place of liquid or powder. Tide has been working closely with poison control centers to make sure parents know more about the risks to their children.
I choose this article because I have younger siblings and I wanted to know more about this new type of detergent that is more dangerous to children. The article was well written and have expert opinions of doctors and industry specialists. I enjoyed learning about this new consumer product its benefits and the health risk that it poses to young children.
4th Quarter Current Event #3
http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=7609437995236412382#editor
The linkup last week between the SpaceX build capsule with the International Space Station (ISS) boosted the prospects of commercial spacecraft shuttling U.S. astronauts into orbit. For more than two years NASA leaders and congressional critics have argued about budgets, timing and safety issues. By 2017 NASA wants to outsource to private companies all cargo and manned trips to the space station. SpaceX's success strengthens NASA's position that outsourcing space flights to private companies is a safe method. Still some congressional critics remained opposed to private spaceflight which they fear could threaten jobs in the U.S. House and Senate bills have already cut more than $300 million from the more than $800 million that NASA requested for 2013. Many House Republicans want to go further by barring the agency from supporting multiple projects arguing that would avoid duplication and save taxpayer dollars.
I choose this article because I am interested in space exploration and the future of what projects NASA is going to launch. The article was well written and had opinions from both sides about whether privatizing space flight is a good or bad thing to do. I enjoyed reading about the article because of the great impact that it has on the future of our country and the technological developments that we could obtain.
The linkup last week between the SpaceX build capsule with the International Space Station (ISS) boosted the prospects of commercial spacecraft shuttling U.S. astronauts into orbit. For more than two years NASA leaders and congressional critics have argued about budgets, timing and safety issues. By 2017 NASA wants to outsource to private companies all cargo and manned trips to the space station. SpaceX's success strengthens NASA's position that outsourcing space flights to private companies is a safe method. Still some congressional critics remained opposed to private spaceflight which they fear could threaten jobs in the U.S. House and Senate bills have already cut more than $300 million from the more than $800 million that NASA requested for 2013. Many House Republicans want to go further by barring the agency from supporting multiple projects arguing that would avoid duplication and save taxpayer dollars.
I choose this article because I am interested in space exploration and the future of what projects NASA is going to launch. The article was well written and had opinions from both sides about whether privatizing space flight is a good or bad thing to do. I enjoyed reading about the article because of the great impact that it has on the future of our country and the technological developments that we could obtain.
4th Quarter Current Event #2
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/2chambers/post/secret-service-director-testifies-watching-investigating-whether-probe-was-rushed/2012/05/23/gJQAD2bQkU_blog.html
The director of the U.S. Secret Service publicly apologized today for the first time for the prostitution scandal that occurred in Colombia. Mark Sullivan said that the employees did some dumb things and their actions are not representative of the values and high ethical standards of the agency. The director testified before the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee as the parent agency of the Secret Service continues to investigate how the director handled the whole situation. Sullivan enjoyed strong Congressional support before the scandal but is now facing increasingly skeptical lawmakers. He strongly disputed reports published by the Washington Post that detailed how tolerance for sexual misconduct and heaving partying and drinking is part of a culture some employees call the "Secret Circus."
I choose this article because I wanted to find out more about the Secret Service scandal and to see what progress has been made on it and whether or not it was a first time incident for the agency. The article was well written with the perspective and opinions of many different people. I enjoyed reading the article to find out more about the scandal and what the director of the Secret Service is doing to take care of it.
The director of the U.S. Secret Service publicly apologized today for the first time for the prostitution scandal that occurred in Colombia. Mark Sullivan said that the employees did some dumb things and their actions are not representative of the values and high ethical standards of the agency. The director testified before the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee as the parent agency of the Secret Service continues to investigate how the director handled the whole situation. Sullivan enjoyed strong Congressional support before the scandal but is now facing increasingly skeptical lawmakers. He strongly disputed reports published by the Washington Post that detailed how tolerance for sexual misconduct and heaving partying and drinking is part of a culture some employees call the "Secret Circus."
I choose this article because I wanted to find out more about the Secret Service scandal and to see what progress has been made on it and whether or not it was a first time incident for the agency. The article was well written with the perspective and opinions of many different people. I enjoyed reading the article to find out more about the scandal and what the director of the Secret Service is doing to take care of it.
4th Quarter Current Event #1
http://www.boston.com/business/markets/2012/05/29/stocks-higher-hopes-for-china-stimulus/sQ6xPLvTrip8K48tKsVkZJ/story.html
Stocks rose today because investors had hopes that China is going to step up the its economic growth and also the upcoming elections in Greece will help the country stay in the Euro. Growth in industrial stocks which depend heavily on the Chinese economy helped push the Dow Jones Industrial average up 125.86 points now up to 12,580.69 which is up 1%. China is the largest market for aluminium in the world which Alcoa makes and Caterpillar is selling its construction equipment to China. It was only the fifth gain for the Dow this month because of growing concerns of Greece dropping out of the Euro and the worsening of financial condition in Spain. Analysts are concerned that Spain and other weak European economies could drag the European Union into a recession this year which would lead to lower demand out of those nations.
I choose this article because it could have it concerns the global economy and could have a huge impact on our lives at home in the United States because of the increased globalization of the world. It also provides an update to the situation in Greece and how the other European countries are doing. Yes, the article was well written by giving substantial statistical evidence and opinions from experts in the field. I enjoyed reading the article because the stock market is something that I am interested in and also the different economies of the world and how they are more closely tied together nowadays.
Stocks rose today because investors had hopes that China is going to step up the its economic growth and also the upcoming elections in Greece will help the country stay in the Euro. Growth in industrial stocks which depend heavily on the Chinese economy helped push the Dow Jones Industrial average up 125.86 points now up to 12,580.69 which is up 1%. China is the largest market for aluminium in the world which Alcoa makes and Caterpillar is selling its construction equipment to China. It was only the fifth gain for the Dow this month because of growing concerns of Greece dropping out of the Euro and the worsening of financial condition in Spain. Analysts are concerned that Spain and other weak European economies could drag the European Union into a recession this year which would lead to lower demand out of those nations.
I choose this article because it could have it concerns the global economy and could have a huge impact on our lives at home in the United States because of the increased globalization of the world. It also provides an update to the situation in Greece and how the other European countries are doing. Yes, the article was well written by giving substantial statistical evidence and opinions from experts in the field. I enjoyed reading the article because the stock market is something that I am interested in and also the different economies of the world and how they are more closely tied together nowadays.
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
Current Event 3/18/12
http://www.businessweek.com/news/2012-03-13/nigeria-s-naira-advances-from-month-low-on-stronger-oil-prices
Nigeria's currency the Naira appreciated from a near month low on speculation that it will be supported as stronger oil prices outweighed an increase in gasoline import orders. The currency strengthened 0.3 percent to 157.85 per USD. Nigerian benchmark Bonny Light crude has jumped 16 percent this year alone. Nigerian oil production has been growing stronger while higher prices are also a boom. Nigeria has to import 70% of its fuel because of its lack of refining capacity approved 3.57 million metric tons of gasoline imports into the country for the second quarter. The economy of Nigeria sub-Saharan Africa's second largest expanded 7.68 percent in the last quarter of 2011. Also borrowing costs on Nigeria's domestic bonds due 2015 increased 0.11 percentage points. This shows how important the production of oil is to Nigeria's economy yet due to their lack of refining capacity they have to import oil. This leads to high economic disparity within the nation because of its crisis in the demand for oil. Also the domestic violence by groups such as Boko Haram continue to weaken the country and leave it more vulnerable.
Nigeria's currency the Naira appreciated from a near month low on speculation that it will be supported as stronger oil prices outweighed an increase in gasoline import orders. The currency strengthened 0.3 percent to 157.85 per USD. Nigerian benchmark Bonny Light crude has jumped 16 percent this year alone. Nigerian oil production has been growing stronger while higher prices are also a boom. Nigeria has to import 70% of its fuel because of its lack of refining capacity approved 3.57 million metric tons of gasoline imports into the country for the second quarter. The economy of Nigeria sub-Saharan Africa's second largest expanded 7.68 percent in the last quarter of 2011. Also borrowing costs on Nigeria's domestic bonds due 2015 increased 0.11 percentage points. This shows how important the production of oil is to Nigeria's economy yet due to their lack of refining capacity they have to import oil. This leads to high economic disparity within the nation because of its crisis in the demand for oil. Also the domestic violence by groups such as Boko Haram continue to weaken the country and leave it more vulnerable.
Thursday, March 8, 2012
Current Event 3/11/12
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970203961204577269422399619502.html
China's parliament unveiled legislation that restricts police powers to detain people at undisclosed locations without informing their families. However activists say that Chinese police rarely observe legal procedure and the new revisions include many loopholes that would allow police to detain people in politically sensitive cases. China's security forces have frequently detained activists at undisclosed locations without informing their relatives especially since online appeals last year for a Chinese version of the Arab Spring events taking place around the world. The increasing use of such detentions without charges raised concerns among Chinese lawyers and liberal academics that China was sacrificing three decades of efforts towards building a legal system for the sake of political stability. Some individuals who have been detained are Mr. Ai who was a critic of the government, Chen Guangcheng, a blind lawyer who served more than four years in prison for campaigning against forced abortions, and Liu Xia who won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2010, is still under effective house arrest at her apartment still awaiting any charges. Legal experts said the revisions represent a rare example of public and expert legal opinion pushing back China's increasing effort to hold onto political control. This shows how the Chinese government is trying to censor all material and destroy any criticism of the communist government in order to keep their stranglehold on power in the country.
China's parliament unveiled legislation that restricts police powers to detain people at undisclosed locations without informing their families. However activists say that Chinese police rarely observe legal procedure and the new revisions include many loopholes that would allow police to detain people in politically sensitive cases. China's security forces have frequently detained activists at undisclosed locations without informing their relatives especially since online appeals last year for a Chinese version of the Arab Spring events taking place around the world. The increasing use of such detentions without charges raised concerns among Chinese lawyers and liberal academics that China was sacrificing three decades of efforts towards building a legal system for the sake of political stability. Some individuals who have been detained are Mr. Ai who was a critic of the government, Chen Guangcheng, a blind lawyer who served more than four years in prison for campaigning against forced abortions, and Liu Xia who won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2010, is still under effective house arrest at her apartment still awaiting any charges. Legal experts said the revisions represent a rare example of public and expert legal opinion pushing back China's increasing effort to hold onto political control. This shows how the Chinese government is trying to censor all material and destroy any criticism of the communist government in order to keep their stranglehold on power in the country.
Sunday, February 26, 2012
Current Event 2/26/12
http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/story/2012-02-26/nigeria-church-bomb/53250530/1
A suicide bomber detonated his explosives outside a major church on Sunday killing three people and injuring 38 in a restive central Nigerian city that has seen hundreds die due to recent violence. The radical Islamist group Boko Haram took responsibility for the attack on the main headquarters of the Church of Christ in Nigeria. This attack follows many others that the group has been responsible for against Christians in the north which has been widening distrust between the two faiths in the country. Boko Haram has launched increasingly bloody attacks across Nigeria including many against churches. The city of Jos and the surrounding Plateau state have been torn apart in recent years by violence pitting its different ethnic groups and religions against each other. However most of the time the violence mostly has to do with local politics, economics, and rights to grazing lands. The government of Plateau state is controlled by Christian politicians who have blocked out Muslims from being recognized as citizens which has locked out many prized government jobs in the region.
A suicide bomber detonated his explosives outside a major church on Sunday killing three people and injuring 38 in a restive central Nigerian city that has seen hundreds die due to recent violence. The radical Islamist group Boko Haram took responsibility for the attack on the main headquarters of the Church of Christ in Nigeria. This attack follows many others that the group has been responsible for against Christians in the north which has been widening distrust between the two faiths in the country. Boko Haram has launched increasingly bloody attacks across Nigeria including many against churches. The city of Jos and the surrounding Plateau state have been torn apart in recent years by violence pitting its different ethnic groups and religions against each other. However most of the time the violence mostly has to do with local politics, economics, and rights to grazing lands. The government of Plateau state is controlled by Christian politicians who have blocked out Muslims from being recognized as citizens which has locked out many prized government jobs in the region.
Monday, February 20, 2012
Current Event Blog Post 2/19/12
http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-mexico-vazquez-mota-20120219,0,3817241.story?track=rss&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+latimes%2Fmostviewed+%28L.A.+Times+-+Most+Viewed+Stories%29
Former congresswomen and education minister in Mexico Vasquez Mota aged 51 has embraced her role as Mexico's first female presidential candidate for a major party. She currently trails the leader at the polls but has stated she does not hesitate to use the gender card at certain times. Vasquez Mota must tread on a fine line because the party she represents the National Action Party (PAN) is very conservative on many social issues considered important to women. She has made it clear that she is hewed to the heavily Catholic PAN's opposition to abortion and gay marriage. Another obstacle to her victory is the current unpopularity with the government with the PRI candidate Enrique Pena Nieto leading in the polls by a double digit margin. She will have to formulate a new strategy confronting drug cartels than Calderon's criticized military strategy. Mexico already has one of the highest participation rates of congresswomen in the representative body of the country so their is already a high sense of feminism.
Former congresswomen and education minister in Mexico Vasquez Mota aged 51 has embraced her role as Mexico's first female presidential candidate for a major party. She currently trails the leader at the polls but has stated she does not hesitate to use the gender card at certain times. Vasquez Mota must tread on a fine line because the party she represents the National Action Party (PAN) is very conservative on many social issues considered important to women. She has made it clear that she is hewed to the heavily Catholic PAN's opposition to abortion and gay marriage. Another obstacle to her victory is the current unpopularity with the government with the PRI candidate Enrique Pena Nieto leading in the polls by a double digit margin. She will have to formulate a new strategy confronting drug cartels than Calderon's criticized military strategy. Mexico already has one of the highest participation rates of congresswomen in the representative body of the country so their is already a high sense of feminism.
Monday, February 13, 2012
Current Event 2/12/12
http://www.news24.com/World/News/Putin-vows-to-grow-Russian-population-20120213
In Russia Prime Minister Vladimir Putin vowed to reverse the demographic decline and boost the population of the country to 154 million in order to ramp up his re-election campaign. Putin has also promised salary hikes for teachers and doctors. He also discussed other social policies that could increase Russia's population which was gone down to 147 million and could fall drastically to as much as 107 million by 2050 if nothing is done. After seeking two presidential terms between 2000 and 2008 Putin is seeking a third term however he is facing a huge legitimacy crisis. Some problems that the Russian population is currently facing are unhealthy lifestyles, a disregard for safety protocols, and combating alcohol and drug abuse. Critics however believe this isn't going to work because one in eight Russians still lives in poverty making the gap between rich and poor pretty big. The social issues mentioned in this article will probably be a big part of Putin's campaign to get elected because they have such huge consequences on the country. If Russia's population does not stop declining than the biggest country in the world will have a lot of open space with a small population.
In Russia Prime Minister Vladimir Putin vowed to reverse the demographic decline and boost the population of the country to 154 million in order to ramp up his re-election campaign. Putin has also promised salary hikes for teachers and doctors. He also discussed other social policies that could increase Russia's population which was gone down to 147 million and could fall drastically to as much as 107 million by 2050 if nothing is done. After seeking two presidential terms between 2000 and 2008 Putin is seeking a third term however he is facing a huge legitimacy crisis. Some problems that the Russian population is currently facing are unhealthy lifestyles, a disregard for safety protocols, and combating alcohol and drug abuse. Critics however believe this isn't going to work because one in eight Russians still lives in poverty making the gap between rich and poor pretty big. The social issues mentioned in this article will probably be a big part of Putin's campaign to get elected because they have such huge consequences on the country. If Russia's population does not stop declining than the biggest country in the world will have a lot of open space with a small population.
Sunday, February 5, 2012
Current Event 2/05/12
http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/china-sends-team-of-government-officials-to-libya-to-look-at-post-war-reconstruction/2012/02/05/gIQAvmo7qQ_story.html
This article talks about how China is now sending a team of government officials into Libya to look into post-war reconstruction after the fall of Gaddafi. The conflict between the rebels and Gaddafi began on February 15 2011 and ended when Gaddafi was killed on October 20 2011. During that time NATO forces were helping the rebels to help overthrow the totalitarian government that they were under. China however was was slow to support the rebels and was the last member of the U.N. Security Council to recognize the transitional council as the country's ruling authority. It only agreed to this when it was assured that business contracts negotiated under Gaddafi's rule would still be recognized. China has invested billions of dollars into Libyan projects over the past couple of years. This shows how China's foreign policy is starting to invest more into the international world and is continuing to have business interests around the globe. China could start to become the biggest economy in the world because of all its business conducted around the globe.
This article talks about how China is now sending a team of government officials into Libya to look into post-war reconstruction after the fall of Gaddafi. The conflict between the rebels and Gaddafi began on February 15 2011 and ended when Gaddafi was killed on October 20 2011. During that time NATO forces were helping the rebels to help overthrow the totalitarian government that they were under. China however was was slow to support the rebels and was the last member of the U.N. Security Council to recognize the transitional council as the country's ruling authority. It only agreed to this when it was assured that business contracts negotiated under Gaddafi's rule would still be recognized. China has invested billions of dollars into Libyan projects over the past couple of years. This shows how China's foreign policy is starting to invest more into the international world and is continuing to have business interests around the globe. China could start to become the biggest economy in the world because of all its business conducted around the globe.
Thursday, January 12, 2012
Question Of The Week 1/15/12
At the halfway point of my senior year I have completed a lot so far. I have kept up good grades in all my classes and prevented myself from going into a senior slump. Also I applied to all the universities that I want to attend and hopefully I get into one of my top choices. Coming into 2nd semester ill probably still keep up with my work but I won't let myself become as stressed as I was 1st semester with everything else that was going on. I am looking forward to graduation in June and letting my college career start soon and getting high school over with.
Current Event Blog Post 1/15/11
http://townhall.com/political-cartoons/robertariail
The cartoon was drawn by Robert Ariail who was the editorial cartoonist for The State newspapers from 1984 until 2009. He is now published in more than 600 other newspapers through United Features Syndicate. In the cartoon it shows how all the other possible G.O.P. candidates who could receive the nomination are criticizing Mitt Romney. The Republican Party is always constantly disagreeing with each other over social, economic, and foreign policy issues. It shows Newt Gingrich disapproving of Romney's corporate background, Huntsman, Perry, and Paul describing how he isn't a good candidate for the party, and Santorum saying that he won't stand a chance against Obama in the Presidential election. Then there is President Obama who is happy that the Republican Party is such a mess because it raises his chances on getting reelected and becoming a 2 term President. The cartoonist ridicules the Republican Party for the mess that they are currently in over nominating a candidate that could win the Presidential election. The cartoon deals with the issue of the G.O.P trying to nominate a candidate that most of the party would agree on. The cartoonist's point of view is that the G.O.P. needs to get their act together and unify on their positions or the Democrats and President Obama will get reelected.
The cartoon was drawn by Robert Ariail who was the editorial cartoonist for The State newspapers from 1984 until 2009. He is now published in more than 600 other newspapers through United Features Syndicate. In the cartoon it shows how all the other possible G.O.P. candidates who could receive the nomination are criticizing Mitt Romney. The Republican Party is always constantly disagreeing with each other over social, economic, and foreign policy issues. It shows Newt Gingrich disapproving of Romney's corporate background, Huntsman, Perry, and Paul describing how he isn't a good candidate for the party, and Santorum saying that he won't stand a chance against Obama in the Presidential election. Then there is President Obama who is happy that the Republican Party is such a mess because it raises his chances on getting reelected and becoming a 2 term President. The cartoonist ridicules the Republican Party for the mess that they are currently in over nominating a candidate that could win the Presidential election. The cartoon deals with the issue of the G.O.P trying to nominate a candidate that most of the party would agree on. The cartoonist's point of view is that the G.O.P. needs to get their act together and unify on their positions or the Democrats and President Obama will get reelected.
Sunday, January 8, 2012
Question Of The Week 1/08/12
I believe that the candidate who will win the G.O.P. nomination for President will be Mitt Romney. This is because he won the Iowa caucus which gives him plenty of forward momentum in the rest of the primaries to come. Romney also has an organized campaign which will help him gather more support and make it easier for him to win primary elections throughout the nation. Among all the other candidates Romney has raised the most money for his campaign which has helped him lead the polls, considering the amount of money that he poured into Iowa in order to win the caucus. Even though Santorum came close to winning the Iowa caucus I do not believe that he will continue to improve because he has an unorganized campaign and is not very favored among the Republican Party.
Current Event Blog Post 1/08/12
http://townhall.com/political-cartoons/larrywright/2012/01/05/95191
The cartoon was drawn by Larry Wright who has been drawing a daily cartoon panel called "Kit N Carlyle since 1980 for United Media. In the cartoon there is a curious child asking his father why the presidential candidates spend such a huge amount of money campaigning for the primary elections. The father seems to be uninterested in the question because he has probably heard the same question being asked many times by different people. The cartoonist is using ridicule to show how much money presidential candidates are using in primary elections while many Americans today are still struggling to survive in the tough economy. The issue that this cartoon deals with is the amount of money that is currently being spend on campaigning for the presidential primaries. The cartoon's message is that candidates need to focus more and connect with the American public rather than spending all of this money on the campaign trail. The cartoonist's point-of-view seems to be more conservative going against spending all this money campaigning.
The cartoon was drawn by Larry Wright who has been drawing a daily cartoon panel called "Kit N Carlyle since 1980 for United Media. In the cartoon there is a curious child asking his father why the presidential candidates spend such a huge amount of money campaigning for the primary elections. The father seems to be uninterested in the question because he has probably heard the same question being asked many times by different people. The cartoonist is using ridicule to show how much money presidential candidates are using in primary elections while many Americans today are still struggling to survive in the tough economy. The issue that this cartoon deals with is the amount of money that is currently being spend on campaigning for the presidential primaries. The cartoon's message is that candidates need to focus more and connect with the American public rather than spending all of this money on the campaign trail. The cartoonist's point-of-view seems to be more conservative going against spending all this money campaigning.