Operation Gratitude

Today I did not come to class until later because I had certain things to get done. However when I came to school later I found that our letters were still being collected. Mrs. Clazie collected an envelope full and I'm sure that would make the whole class happy to hear. It makes us proud to see posters on the wall and our support for the troops now it's just time for us to wait and see how much letters we can collect.

Operation Gratitude

Our community project to thank the soldiers has been going ok at the moment, even though we only have around 170 letters those letters are good ones that will make soldiers feel better about who they are as individuals. In the end what's important is quality and not quantity. I don't know if we are done campaigning because the classrooms we've gone to aren't growing in numbers but I've suggested to a couple of teachers so we can keep on informing people what we are doing. Mrs. Naif was happy with what we were doing and was proud that we came so that we could inform her class.

Operation Gratitude Continued

Today our group went to Mrs. Naif's ceramics class first period to inform them about our school wide thanks to soldiers. In fact the word has been growing bigger and greater than anticipated. in fact during Ap Lit., Mrs Clazie passed out some of the papers we had used to write some letters and I wrote another one to a soldier. It's great that we are doing this and tommorrow we'll try going out to more classrooms to raise awareness.

Operation Gratitude

Today during class we went out to other teachers classrooms to present what we had been working on for the past week, which was to get the 1000 letters to soldiers fighting for our country. During lunch some of us where at the booth getting people to send their own apreciations. I'm excited because we have a lot of work left to complete the goal but at the same time we hit the first day starting strong.

Operation Gratitude

Today in groups we discussed how we were going to go about telling other people in classes about this plan we have to send troops "Thank you" letters. Jorge Cortez, Chris Ashmore, and I are going to make it natural and explain what we are trying to do in terms of our goals to get letters from at least 1000 people. Likely there will be a few who won't listen to us but we''ll do our best.

Operation Gratitude

Today I finished up a poster that I was working on in class. The Poster says"Thank them for all that they do!". It was funny because Mrs. Clazie who is very patriotic and has a son in Afghanistan had a poster near her door or a flyer I think and I know the whole operation would probably sit well with her. I will make another poster on monday Since I saw very few up today around school.

Community Service Project

The song I thought about doing has been cancelled due to a busy schedule and a lack of time. I instead have put efforts into finding out what things can be shipped to the U.S. troops. The letters that are sent to troops have to be positive, uplifting, and all about the appreciation to the soldiers who serve the United States.

Casualties in Iraq

http://usliberals.about.com/od/homelandsecurit1/a/IraqNumbers.htm

Deborah White-usliberals.about.com

The war in Iraq although not as long fought as the war in Afghanistan has yeilded many casualties and deaths since its start. The stats. show that as much as around 5,000 soldiers have been killed since the commence of the invasion of Iraq. Besides those casualties there have been around 33,000 seriously wounded; casualties range from gunshots to car bombings. The civilain casualties of the Iraqi's dwarfs the damages done against the troops as the estimated list of casualties goes into the 600,000.

The genorosity of countries in the world

http://www.carolsvault.com/statistics-most-generous-countries/

anonymous-carolsvault.com

The donations made by many countries who need help counts up to many millions of dollars. The countries vary by which one gives the most depending on how they are ranked. The United States is one of the most giving countries in terms of the total amount of money they give but however it looks different through a different perspective. In terms of the average amount of money donated per person in the United states would make the country appear a little selfish as the ranking descends to a spot around the 20's.

Black Friday's estimated revenue

http://www.prevailingbuzz.com/2010/11/29/cyber-monday-sales-for-2010-encourages-estimated-100-million-americans-to-shop-online-cyber-monday-deals-extension-of-black-friday/

Roshanda Little-prevailingbuzz.com

The days after the Thanksgiving holiday are the most busiest days in comercial sales in the United States. It turns out that sales besides the shopping at stores on Friday is just one of the days with many things on sale. Monday after Thanksgiving, Today, is the a major day when people purchase many things over the Internet. It is estimated that $1 billion dollars will be spent on merchandise online today, overall bringing more stimulation  rise the long falling economy.

George Bush's Book

http://www.politico.com/click/stories/1011/bush_book_selling_well.html

Amie Parnes- Politico.com

It turns out our former President George Bush released a book about his time as President including Personal opinions on the leadership America now has. It was a public known fact that George Bush was disappointed when he found out there were no weapons of mass destruction in Iraq. George Bush's book has been a success unlike his Presidency and has sold 700,000 copies in a week almost as much as the 800,000 books Bill Clinton sold when he released his book for the first time.

The National Debt.

http://www.brillig.com/debt_clock/

Ed Hall- brillig.com

It turns out that the major concern of the United States has been turned to other public matters but in fact the economic crisis we are still in as a country is not gone and it's surprising the attention in the media isn't focused on it. As of today is approximately a staggering amount of  $13,000,000,000,000 or thirteen trillion and most of that money is owed to other countries such as China for example. It is estimated that of the approxiamately 300 million people who live in the United States the only way to pay it all back would be if everyone paid their share of $45,000!

Sarah Palin for President 2012?

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/sheldon-filger/what-if-sarah-palin-was-e_b_784443.html

Sheldon Filger-thehuffingtonpost.com

Back when Sarah Palin was running for the vice-presidency alongside John Mccain many wondered whether she could be the Republican nomination for the Presidency in 2012. Some say she could be a dangerous opponent for Barack Obama since she does get much press and this could raise her popularity amongst the people of the United States. However other expert presidential analyzers claim that Sarah Palin wouldn't know how to run he resposibilities that are of a president nature and herself in such a position would be a complete and utter disaster.

Travellers might be scared away

http://www.metronews.ca/ottawa/article/692444--hotel-explosion-in-mexico-kills-guelph-man

The Canadian Press-Metronews.ca

A day ago in Mexico in a Hotel in Playa del Carmen 5 Canadians, many others, and plus 2 Mexicans where killed in a hotel explosion. The explosion  was not known but speculations have been made to explain the tragedy including the ignition of some kind of accumulated gas. The explosion rocked and shook not only the hotel but also the relations between Mexico and othe countries as safety is becoming a big concern for tourists and lately there have been too many deaths.

Why relations with Pakistan and India are essential for America.

http://www.thehindu.com/news/international/article883765.ece

PTI- the hindu.com

It turns out that the United States should be concerned with the way Pakistan and India view the country because they can be important allies or vicious enemies. It turns out India and Pakistan resent the United States for deserting their interests when they most needed the United States. Pakistan and India don't want America to leave Afghanistan in tatters because they don't want to have to face a problem that America could just leave behind for them to solve when they didn't have musch to do with it. If America starts something it should be done right.

Obama's trip to India

http://www.americasnewsonline.com/obamas-trip-to-india-nets-50000-american-jobs-supposedly-911/

James Fox - Americasnewsonline.com

President Obama has been in India on a trip to propose that the country be a permanent member of the United Nations which will be a major breakthrough in the country. Other business includes increasing trade amongst the two nations so that jobs can be created of as much as 50,000 new jobs for Americans as well as more for the Indian population. At the same time some don't know if Obama's trip is justified as in whether the cost of the trip will reap any profits since the trip is estimated to cost very much for his security as well as paying for around 30 planes to escort him.

What is going on with Afghanistan?

http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.kaltoons.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/kal-lex-Afgan-war-web.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.kaltoons.com/wordpress/2009/12/kal-economist-afghanistan-cartoons/&usg=__LKdMlOUa3qlyDsCK2sW8b2fJFL0=&h=388&w=500&sz=278&hl=en&start=0&zoom=1&tbnid=F0-6btKm-B2GmM:&tbnh=130&tbnw=167&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dwar%2Bin%2Bafghanistan%2Bcartoons%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26safe%3Dactive%26sa%3DN%26rlz%3D1R2ADFA_enUS382%26biw%3D1259%26bih%3D571%26tbs%3Disch:1&um=1&itbs=1&iact=rc&dur=396&ei=0ObZTL37Noe2sAPQpKG3Bw&oei=0ObZTL37Noe2sAPQpKG3Bw&esq=1&page=1&ndsp=18&ved=1t:429,r:2,s:0&tx=50&ty=49

KAL- kaltoons.com

For nine years America has been involved in Afghanistan trying to take the country away from the Taliban and return it to the people of that region. However it has been 9 long years of war and some who don't see the plans of the US see the way America gets into Afghanistan as a sort of conquest. It looks like America went over there to invade the middle east spreading more trouble than there already was as civilians see there way of live get harsher.

Greater security on Airplanes

http://www.bradfitzpatrick.com/weblog/347/offensive-cartoons/

Fitz- BradfitzPatrick.com

It turns out that yet again in America some are thinking of doing full body scans at the airports on people but with more measures than before. These new measures are being considered to save lives and prevent terrorists  from blowing up airplanes where passangers travel. However when will the security agencies stop banning items because it seems terrorists can just about make a bomb out of anything.

The Republicans where an endangered species?

http://www.thedailyshow.com/watch/wed-november-3-2010/who-wants-it-more----endangered-republicans

Anonymous-Thedailyshow.com

The retaking of the house by the Republicans in this last midterm election has been  a major decisive win for the party and some have even said the Democrats are at fault for their acquisition of the majority. Jon Stewart from "The Daily Show" provides a funnt and humorous take on how the mistakes of the Democrats fed the fuel for the Republicans to regain power. According to a one fellow the Democrats where working on the environment to help endangered species come back and guess who are the endangered species? None Other than the Republicans and they came back for good.

Swing voters: Are they persuaded?

http://www.gallup.com/poll/144065/fewer-swing-voters-2010-prior-midterm-years.aspx

Jeffrey M. Jones

It turns out that in 2010 there were less swingvoters than in past midterm elections showing that the voters are becoming more decided about what their vote towards policies and congressmen will be.  The statistics show that more Republican voters were decided on who they were going to vote for, as much as 86%, while the Democratic voters said they could be flexible until voting day as less were decided on their votes, 82%. Swing voters are important to the political parties' candidates who need as much votes as they can pick up; some would say swing voters can make or break an election.

"The Stench of Washington"

http://www.myfoxdc.com/dpp/news/politics/congressional-candidate-mails-scratch-and-sniff-ad-that-smells-like-garbage-102710

Anonymous- myfoxdc.com

One of the stinkiest campaign ads used in the past weeks to foil voters from voting in favor of Loretta Sanchez was an ad publicized by the other runner of the Orange county seat in congress. Van Tran the other candidate running mailed out ads prtraying Sanchez as one of the problems of Washington as she was portrayed selling stinky perfume. The booklet with the ad had a scratch and sniff part to it that reaked like garbage and many potential voters were turned off by this campaigning. This was one of the first times since 1996 that Loretta Sanchez has been challanged to get  her seat in congress removed.

The dirty campaigning backfired upon Van Tran as the humor was used as a way of showing Van Tran's lack of work ethics when it came to campaigning. Some say that instead of mailing out ways to make Sanchez look bad he should have been working on ways that Orange county could be benefitting under his time in congress. Sanchez took the opportunity to acknowledge Van Trans dirty campaigns and it was one of his mistakes in his campaigning strategy.

What was prop 18 about?

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/blogs/gleick/detail?entry_id=69267

Peter Gleick- sfgate.com

Some have questions of why there was a proposition on the voting ballot that got removed in California. It turns out the proposition called for money that would be used on Water projects to providemore water that would be safer to Californians. It was pulled away for rewriting since it needed reworking including the idea that $11 billion would be spent on the water projects.

Be informed.

http://www.voterguide.sos.ca.gov/propositions/

anonymous-voterguide.sos.ca.gov

Voting is an important thing to do in order to participate and express one's opinions on recent topics or laws that should or should not be enforced. However it would make sense to know what one is voting on or approving of before just filling in an approval. More than half of the propositions are probably not known by voters and they should know what they are doing when they vote because ultimately their choices will affect or benefit people in the long run.

Prop 19 funding

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2010/10/marijuana-legalization-backers-plan-final-advertising-blitz-.html

John Hoeffel-latimes.com

Before the elections on 2nd for the Governor of California among otherthings some major political activists are trying to throw more ads on TV to convince people to go vote. One of the Propsitions is Prop 19 which talks about the Legalization of Marijuana. The curious fact is that a million dollars were given to run more ads in favor of this proposition by a single multimillionaire investor alone!

Don't Vote?!

http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1010/44287.html

Molly Ball- Politico.com

A man in politics has gotten a reputation for starting an idea that many don't find has a grain of sense. Robert de Posada  is a republican backed up president of Latinos for Reform yet he tells his followers to not vote in these upcoming elections or any in the future. It doesn't make sense if people don't vote as they are not represented and then they have to be stuck under the influence of someone who they don't approve. Supposedly it will show the campaigners what a difference the hispanic vote makes but the elections won't be felt by how much vote it will depend on where the majority goes no matter the number.

Is Meg Whitman buying the Governorship?

http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2010-06-13/tClFprBoagIdlvnFnziqErbAtFfhtikAIwjGurDErtGjbssazsGjkqEGcpjE/California-Governorship-4-sale.JPG.scaled1000.jpg&imgrefurl=http://netgarden.posterous.com/cartoon-meg-whitman-buys-the-republican-prima&usg=__QoYHUivzLCR0qf_DUtYrYTYEGZc=&h=438&w=517&sz=95&hl=en&start=0&zoom=1&tbnid=T-ab7ffRDK4udM:&tbnh=130&tbnw=153&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dmeg%2Bwhitman%2Bcartoon%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26rlz%3D1W1ADFA_en%26biw%3D1259%26bih%3D571%26tbs%3Disch:1&um=1&itbs=1&iact=hc&vpx=316&vpy=225&dur=4046&hovh=207&hovw=244&tx=184&ty=125&ei=ILbITLrBE4HGsAO1_cTeCg&oei=ILbITLrBE4HGsAO1_cTeCg&esq=1&page=1&ndsp=18&ved=1t:429,r:7,s:0

M.Wuerker-netgarden.posterous.com

With all the money Meg Whitman is pumping into her comercials putting down Jerry Brown and putting her image on the map it seems she can "buy" the California voters. It's a shame to see the way she manipulates her image to persuade voters who wouldn't want her as Governor. she puts up ads on Univision, Ch 34 the hispanic television channel, and she lies about her opinions about the latin American community. She wants them to vote for her yet she wants families to be broken up by approving laws such as the Arizona senate bill, and some voters can't ditinguish her hipocracy because the ads fool them into voting for her. She was shown to have illegal immigrant house cleaners yet wants the worse for them. Mostly all the money she puts into her campaigning is the reason she is getting much popularity.

Meg Whitman vs. Jerry Brown

http://www.diffen.com/difference/Jerry_Brown_vs_Meg_Whitman

anonymous- diffen.com

The upcoming elections fro California Governor on November 2nd have the 2 main candidates hurling propaganda toward potential voters. Their respective plans for California in respect to certain props and plans have people confused between which one to vote for. Some don't trust Whitman based on the fact that she doesn't have much experience in politics and some go as far as demanding why she hasn't voted in the past couple of years but why is she starting up now? Others distrust Jerry Brown as he hasn't acomplished much for California in the past. Some say that the win will be a close one between the two candidates.

The efforts to shrink class sizes.

http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://citizentom.files.wordpress.com/2008/11/5847_education_cartoon.gif&imgrefurl=http://picsdigger.com/keyword/cartoon%2520education/&usg=__iFQr7yw11D_LEvr129YHOLnqBKw=&h=435&w=330&sz=46&hl=en&start=0&zoom=1&tbnid=YcAMUBHAulnHCM:&tbnh=147&tbnw=112&prev=/images%3Fq%3Deducation%2Bcartoon%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DG%26biw%3D1276%26bih%3D571%26gbv%3D2%26tbs%3Disch:1&itbs=1&iact=hc&vpx=595&vpy=190&dur=9460&hovh=258&hovw=195&tx=91&ty=118&ei=2zvGTOyvIpD6swOx962QDQ&oei=2zvGTOyvIpD6swOx962QDQ&esq=1&page=1&ndsp=14&ved=1t:429,r:3,s:0

Anonymous-Picsdigger.com

Lately in order to improve schools and help students learn, better efforts to reduce class sizes are being implemented. However these ideas seem far out of reach for some schools as class sizes are increasing. With the firing of teachers and schools sending over kids to other schools for various reasons teachers have to deal with overcrowded class rooms that interfere with the students' abilities to concentrate and focus.

The problem with standardized tests.

http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.solidarity.com/hkcartoons/teachertoons/images/miketest6.gif&imgrefurl=http://breadforthecity.blogspot.com/2008/08/education-cartoon-roundup.html&usg=__BzlnEhW2hmuRyx22Lt0tKRs6Avo=&h=300&w=407&sz=36&hl=en&start=0&zoom=1&tbnid=_Qcrq1wd8YB6MM:&tbnh=154&tbnw=209&prev=/images%3Fq%3Deducation%2Bcartoon%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DG%26biw%3D1276%26bih%3D571%26gbv%3D2%26tbs%3Disch:1&itbs=1&iact=rc&dur=90&ei=tv7BTIyTNpKgsQPgnojLCw&oei=tv7BTIyTNpKgsQPgnojLCw&esq=1&page=1&ndsp=13&ved=1t:429,r:4,s:0&tx=127&ty=47

Matt Seimer-Blogger.com

To say that the schools should all have a set standard to what they teach at certain grade levels is a good idea to keep everyone on track but it soen't work with some schools. The truth every school teaches differentl so not all students will recieve the same amount of information as the other students in other schools. Some of the most ridiculous questions get asked on standardized tests that students do bad on them not on a lack of being stupid or dumb but they werent' taught what the test is about. Like shoes, not one size fits all meaning that standardized tests might not be the best way of testing the students abilities.

Why poor schools might be doing bad.

http://www.star-telegram.com/2010/10/18/2556603/poorest-school-districts-get-least.html

Dave Montogmery, Shirly Jinkins - Star-Telegram.com

It has been researched through certain methods that many of the poor schools that do bad have the least qualified teachers. Other places that are well off have some of the best qualifiesd teachers in terms of credentials. It's not always the case but the worse the teachers are the less motivated the students are too. In order to alter the bad schools some are thinking of bringing better teachers and more money into the schools.

How do school years compare in other countries besides the United States?

http://www.northjersey.com/news/education/58357882.html

The Record- NorthJersey.com

It turns out that the United States has shorter school years of most of the industrialized countries. Japan has become an educated powerhouse of intelligent people but it turns out that it's not becuase they are intelligent that they do so well. Japan and other countries have their students going to school almost months longer than the United States's students thus teaching them more and being the reason for their increase in intellect.

The negative association between intellectal knowledge of students and Money spent on schools.

http://www.huppi.com/kangaroo/L-edumoney.htm
Richard Rothstein-huppi.com

It is deduced that most of the increased money spent on "education" is not going toward things that will benefit the students' academics but rather things that are indirect. Some spending includes building new builings and providing special programs for a few which don't help the students much intelectually and drain resources. Teaching can be done without spending money on those things and the spending on schools is not showing signs of working since the money isn't directly connected to learning. Money spent on better teachers, textbooks, and education would work but they aren't funded well enough.

Is merit pay for teachers a good way to increase performance in schools?

http://economix.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/06/08/the-uncertain-impact-of-merit-pay-for-teachers/

Edward L. Glaeser-Nytimes.com

There are examples that have shown in Indian schools that when good teachers are paid more compared to other schools they have better scores on tests. However there have been cases where teachers are paid more yet they don't alter drastically the knowledge that students acquire. Who makes up how much more teachers get paid? How much more work is required to recieve this reward? The issue over merit pay has educators and instructors divided over the issue as some  have been known to cheat by boosting scores to get this special pay. To prevent corrupting the education system these issues are being contemplated.

The act passed for Education years ago.

http://usliberals.about.com/od/education/i/NCLBProsCons.htm

Deborah White- about.com

The "No Child Left Behind Act"  passed back in the Presidency of George W. Bush has started a pressing objective to be fullfilled in the near future: All students on standardized tests will be able to score at least profficient. Although it seems like a bold step to be taken and now that it has been part of the education system of America the goal seems out reach. People say that in order to fullfill that goal their has to be harder tests and coursework provided in schools and many opposed the act as it was too demanding to be done in time. more likely than not schools in America won't be able to meet the deadline.

Where are the top High schools?

http://www.pressofatlanticcity.com/blogs/diane_damico/article_c88e8620-ccb8-11df-9321-001cc4c03286.html

Diane Damico- PressofAtlaniccity.com

It's a true fact that schools with the most funding in terms of money become the best schools. The best schools in the nation are located amongst the wealthiest neighborhoods except for 5 but they aren't that much behind in funding. This evidence seems to point that to increase the level of education that the students need to improve by it is necessary pump more money into the school fundings.

Propostitions of increasing time spent in school.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/02/04/AR2007020401087.html

anonymous-Washintonpost.com

A measure that some people have been thinking about in order to improve the education of American students is to lengthen the school day. Some argue that a longer school year and hours spent in classes will benefit students but some are not eager to make such a change. Some are worried of the expences to run schools longer and the effects it could have toward instructors and students.

Schools that don't seem like schools.

http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.cartoonstock.com/newscartoons/cartoonists/jsp/lowres/jspn1l.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.cartoonstock.com/newscartoons/directory/s/school_spending.asp&usg=__gHpUYPl3-PtZRGKJtJdWx5LlOpE=&h=270&w=400&sz=91&hl=en&start=0&zoom=1&tbnid=FU1iVdfYdF_VnM:&tbnh=149&tbnw=221&prev=/images%3Fq%3Deducation%2Bspending%2Bcartoon%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DN%26rlz%3D1R2ADFA_enUS382%26biw%3D1259%26bih%3D571%26tbs%3Disch:1&um=1&itbs=1&iact=rc&dur=137&ei=iEG1TJ4SjtCwA6aooYgI&oei=iEG1TJ4SjtCwA6aooYgI&esq=1&page=1&ndsp=10&ved=1t:429,r:5,s:0&tx=207&ty=109

Jesse Springer-Cartoonstock.com

The schools in America in certain parts more than other some students say their schools are a waste of time and resources. Some classes are boring and teachers are horrible at teaching with students running around and disrupting the halls. School is being seen as a limiting environment and spending should be granted to schools unless they weremade more user friendly and stimulating the student's learning developement through education.

Classes in Florida shrinking and rising in Student #'s.

http://www2.tbo.com/content/2010/oct/11/amendment-8-summary-pros-and-cons/

Anonymous- TBO.com

In Florida, the campaign for an 8th amendment is being debated amongst the Floridians that is a step forward for increasing better school spending of money and hiring more educators. Many argue that having vast numbers of students in classrooms can be taught but on a practical level it's worse for the students. If amendment 8 is passed then more money will be used for hiring more teachers to teach reduced classes thus giving more valuable teaching to those who need it.

How hard it is to Fire bad teachers.

http://articles.latimes.com/2009/may/03/local/me-teachers3

Jason Song- latimes.com

The educational system seems to be a bad system that is corrupted by the own teachers unions and outside regulatory Government officials. The School system is so bad that the teachers who commit acts that wouldn't be allowed in a school such as mocking a kid who wanted to attempt suicide by encouraging him to do it in a more planned out way. Although it could have been a joke it was not right to make the students feel bad and even if he was to be fired it would take a tedious procedure so they leave children with bad teachers instead.

Can the affordability of education be a factor in better education?

http://www.educationalpolicy.org/pdf/global2005.pdf

Alex Usher and Amy Cervenan- educationpolicy.org

According to a study back in 2005 the cheapest higher education was accesible to some countries like Sweden, Finland, and the Netherlands. However out of 15 countries it was assessed that the more expensive educations were Japan, the United States, the United kingdom, and New Zealand. Perhaps the real problem to low education scores could be the fact that education is too expensive. The country focuses on the money rather than the quality of education they are supplying.

If only schools could be different.

http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://scholasticadministrator.typepad.com/.a/6a00e54f8c25c988340133f04127ff970b-500wi&imgrefurl=http://scholasticadministrator.typepad.com/thisweekineducation/school_life_/&usg=__4BTHHV6rsnc_IYd-R98lZCUIJJg=&h=356&w=465&sz=78&hl=en&start=0&zoom=1&tbnid=tu6usyk_ISkRSM:&tbnh=130&tbnw=170&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dclass%2Bchoice%2Bin%2Bschool%2Bcartoon%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26rlz%3D1R2ADFA_enUS382%26biw%3D1259%26bih%3D571%26tbs%3Disch:1&um=1&itbs=1&iact=hc&vpx=976&vpy=280&dur=11185&hovh=196&hovw=257&tx=126&ty=149&ei=zhetTM-GCY6osQPn4tj-Cw&oei=zhetTM-GCY6osQPn4tj-Cw&esq=1&page=1&ndsp=19&ved=1t:429,r:18,s:0

Alexander Russo- schooladministrator.typepad.com

If only school was like it is in other countries complain some. The truth is that many people are not happy or satisfied with their schools on a lack of personal interest for success and career interests. One can't deny it that if only the school cared more about it's students aspirations it might be easier to learn for some. After all why even care about a class that is not applicable to one's future?

Can SAT Scores be valid indicators of educational levels?

http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.cartoonstock.com/lowres/shr0580l.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.cartoonstock.com/directory/t/test_scores.asp&usg=__myCCNasNz-SSGcFBdiOPyoJMqWY=&h=400&w=359&sz=36&hl=en&start=0&zoom=1&tbnid=ChiObDN6P6WJqM:&tbnh=135&tbnw=121&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dsat%2Bscores%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26safe%3Dactive%26sa%3DN%26rlz%3D1R2ADFA_enUS382%26biw%3D1259%26bih%3D571%26tbs%3Disch:1&um=1&itbs=1&iact=rc&dur=531&ei=qdWrTK7VMYLHswaAr-nKAw&oei=qdWrTK7VMYLHswaAr-nKAw&esq=1&page=1&ndsp=20&ved=1t:429,r:12,s:0&tx=83&ty=96

Anonymous-Cartoonstock.com

The SAT's have been used as indicators of how students are doing in school but can they be reliable to judge people education? People getting into college strive high scores but Universities are even seeing that SAT's are not the best indicators of success and are making SAT's optional next year. Are people increasing scores by taking the tests over and over, test getting easier, or is it just not adequete measurement? Can it be reliable enough to say that all the other country's who take the SAT and compared it to the U.S. scores were actually higher? What if they got the different tests? Where they tested many times? How can one tell whether the education level of Americans is really lower than other countries?

Cheating to get into schools.

Alexandra Frean and Joanna Sugden -http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/education/article4965431.ece

It seems in the rush to get their children into better schools some parents have put down false addresses to prove that they "live" in an area where their children would be put to go to a better school. Although the ethical standpoint and illegal problems associated with giving a false address can be problematic it seems parents have a right to feel an obligation to ensure their children get well educated. The problem is the government doesn't allow parents to pick schools but that could be a right that should be fought for in the future.

If this is how America is then we all have to go back to school.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UnQRddkk2to

u2ubex-youtube.com

To really evaluate the education system of the United States is it fair to just take a random sample of students or people and comaper them to other nations. Although some would say yes what if many of the mowest schools or people are tested to raise the media on an education reform. After all a bad sample to base a judgement on has to be reliable or American's could be gatting a reputation that isn't meant to be for a lack in education.

Will firing teachers do any good?

http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://scholasticadministrator.typepad.com/.a/6a00e54f8c25c988340133ec643452970b-500wi&imgrefurl=http://scholasticadministrator.typepad.com/thisweekineducation/2010/04/my-entry-4.html&usg=__ia_CYYwVCPowL-Y2_SzpRQflXv8=&h=388&w=500&sz=106&hl=en&start=0&zoom=1&tbnid=ZfEcGunas7AigM:&tbnh=141&tbnw=182&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dfiring%2Bteachers%2Bcartoon%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26rlz%3D1R2ADFA_enUS382%26biw%3D1259%26bih%3D571%26tbs%3Disch:1&um=1&itbs=1&iact=rc&dur=203&oei=NTKlTNeCKIv2tgPR4Nj9Dg&page=1&ndsp=18&ved=1t:429,r:0,s:0&tx=139&ty=112

Alexander Russo- Scholasticadministrator.typepad.com

The idea of firing teachers who have students doing bad on exams are probable candidates for removal of their current jobs. However is it likely that Teachers are really the bad instructors they are painted to be or are the students at fault for not knowing the material? Money, great teachers, and an expensive school might not be enough to motivate students if they are reluctant to learn or try.

A firing of School teachers.

http://www.newsweek.com/2010/03/05/why-we-must-fire-bad-teachers.html

Eve Conant and Sam Register- Newsweek.com

The long question of why education scores are showing a decrease in academic competence is being pondered. As of lately the question of whether teachers make a difference in the academic success is finally answered. In order to better help the students to understand and excel schools need to rid themselves of the bad teachers and hire well qualified people who can successfully do their job: To teach.

Will vacations and breakd be shortened?

http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH-uUIm6l98PkQe_vHrsv5wS5wSoTIE8CiEgPGEl5AZkED7cgbx0sroMW3MJ2R-SOGSsYAaiZOVAkCnRxNNvVfObkriqMVyEYsBY_rhQXjw3H9-KwgWAZN6a5-ZQt6dTWxsEhUMofvAAEU/s400/Merry+Christmas+cartoon.jpg&imgrefurl=http://stjohnsvaldosta.blogspot.com/2008_12_01_archive.html&usg=__4miB3AO3j7KuFZFoX5D1FRoEIJc=&h=372&w=380&sz=49&hl=en&start=0&zoom=1&tbnid=aWQO1MSfpPoG1M:&tbnh=128&tbnw=131&prev=/images%3Fq%3Deducation%2Breform%2Bcartoon%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DN%26rlz%3D1R2ADFA_enUS382%26biw%3D1259%26bih%3D571%26tbs%3Disch:1&um=1&itbs=1&iact=rc&dur=270&ei=vseiTJ_KBon4sAPFv6D6Bg&oei=vseiTJ_KBon4sAPFv6D6Bg&esq=1&page=1&ndsp=20&ved=1t:429,r:14,s:0&tx=70&ty=74

StJohnsvaldosta- Blogspot.com

The demand for more education in schools in the United States to help increase the revenues the country receives and the better employees that will be able to compee with other nations has some worried. The most likely to be complaining of this new education reform President Obama is thinking about are the one's who it's supposed to benefit. Children and parents are worried that the idea of a vacation might be thrown out the window of all school policies and become too destructive to overall moral of the Children while others say the extra time studying would benefit them.

Taking education seriously.

http://edition.cnn.com/2010/POLITICS/09/27/obama.education/

CNN wire staff- cnn.com

Obama has of late been concentrating on reforming America's educational policies. The U.S. is lacking behind in the Math and Science fields were the country used to flourish. In order to make up for it Obama proposes money be spent on education, lengthening education periods, and hiring well trained teachers to strengthen the future of the country for it's citizens well being and the economic growth and stability.

Reflection on class debate this week: Arizona SB 1070

I thought the class debate we had was filled with tension, heated arguements, and emotional experiences.
The most moving point was from a fellow who helped explain , to those that hadn't thought about it, why some Immigrants come to the United States to try and make a better life for themselves. He told us how Mexico is so bad for some that they can't stand living there. The government is so corrupt and spread violence, kill innocent, and do so much havoc that people risk their lives for their familes to try and support a better life in the United States although they could be deported. Another young lady provided a story that explained how her family was in danger of being shot by stray bullets form the corrupt narcotic drug dealers. Other people had conflicting ideas on the validity of whether their bad conditions automatically make the Illegal immigrants justified for their crossing. Some people have a point that the border shouldn't be absolutely opened in case terrorists, drug dealers, and crimanals try to do things in the United States. There needs to be a better way to let in people who want to work in The United States but also prevent others who want to cause damage and leave them  out. Overall we were agreeing that the Arizona law was unfair as it allowed cops and people to discriminate when looking for illegal immigrants.   

Are the information extraction methods a viable way to get reliable information?

http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.nationalsecuritylaw.net/bush-torture_cartoon_10.31.05.jpg&imgrefurl=http://cruelanimal.blogspot.com/2006_01_01_archive.html&usg=__xWZrfD7nrS0lVG8SwRNKFRupFR0=&h=479&w=576&sz=74&hl=en&start=0&zoom=1&tbnid=1ZHH0_waFXL6KM:&tbnh=137&tbnw=165&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dtorture%2Bcartoon%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26safe%3Dactive%26sa%3DN%26rlz%3D1R2ADFA_enUS382%26noj%3D1%26biw%3D1259%26bih%3D571%26tbs%3Disch:1&um=1&itbs=1&iact=rc&dur=181&oei=xuObTKfdLYmesQP4wo3lCA&page=1&ndsp=18&ved=1t:429,r:7,s:0&tx=48&ty=59

Cruelanimal - Blogspot.com

Although the act of torture is not allowed by the United States the troops in the middle east have used it against people who have been suspected of being terrorists. The trouble is that on a moral level it doesn't seem humane to submit individuals through countless cruelties in the name of justice. It seems even less justifiable if the torture leads to misleading information that might have been said by a prisoner in order for the people torturing them to stop the pain. Perhaps other methods should be developed to gain intelligence.

What's worng with the Arizona SB 1070?

http://www.daily49er.com/opinion/arizona-s-sb-1070-would-work-but-probably-not-worth-racism-1.2257730#5

Jessica Wood- Daily49er.com

As many have pointed out before it is not the act of wanting to secure the border and preventing terrorists or criminals from entering theUnited States that is a problem but rather that the people are going to be targeted on a basis of their race. You can be any race and be an illegal immigrant but some don't seem to get it and target especially Hispanics. In order to make the law more favorable revisions must be done to make it reasonable and not allow for any racial profiling.

The Pros and Cons of a heated debate

http://searchwarp.com/swa61485-P3.htm

Mario Garibaldi- Searchwarp.com

To sum things up and relize that two sides of an arguement have their positive aspects and others have their negative aspects. The positive aspects of Illegal immigration are cheap jobs and investments and money that they spend in the U.S. while the negative aspects are that they break the laws coming in and they take advantage of the benefits that are reserved for Americans. Overall knowing the ins and outs of an issue can help people see whatmakes people side one way or the other.

Why does it take so long?

http://politicalhumor.about.com/od/politicalcartoons/ig/Political-Cartoons/Rubik-s-Congress.htm

Daniel Kurtzman-About.com

The whole problem with Immigration is two sided and perhaps even more if there are other point of views that are unseen. Just about the only thing that people can safely agree on is that the issue demands a solution that might not be obviously apparent. Perhaps in order to solv ethe Problem and devise an Immigration reform our politicians will have to think in new ways that perhaps they aren't going to get on the first couple tries or will ever find a solution to.

The U.S. isn't the only place.

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,139511,00.html

Steve Harrigan- foxnews.com

Although many point out that the U.S. has problems with illegal immigration it is also a problem amongst European nations. It goes to show that people of all backgrounds can be illegals and not just the Mexicans as is pinpointed in the U.S.  In Spain the Morrocan people risk all to get a better life in Spain but are being denied on account of fear of terrorism from muslims.

Where are all the immigrant stats. coming from?

http://www.cis.org/articles/2005/back1105.html

Steven A. Camarota- center of immigration studies.com

One would think that since Illegal immigrants are elusive and hiding from the government officials on account of their fear of deportation that they would be uncountable. However, it has been calculated in detail their activities through interesting, clever, and well devised methods that support the numbers in the data that gets published. They use the Census that is to be done by most of the population and then calculate from their data which ones of those that reponded where most likely to be illegal immigrants. We can rest assured that the stats. are well calculated.

The facts as I ( Author) think I will manipulate them...

http://www.usillegalaliens.com/the_dark_side_of_illegal_immigration.html

P. F. Wagner- usilegalaliens.com

Continuing on the Illegeal immigration conflict I decided to look more in depth on this evidence that certain people have slushed together to try and scrap an arguement like a homeless man might pull anything to make something to shelter himself. Upon reading this article you can see that this person has stats. that isn't even backed up. He tries to use these nonsensical numbers out of nowhere to make a point that isn't even valid. You can not automatically assume anything that is published is true or can be believed if it doesn't have backing evidence and there are no citations, incidents reported, or graphs to prove his point. Beware what you read on the Internet.

Illegal Immigration debate

Mallory Garret's post ,Andy Singer(illustrator)- Blogspot.com

The illegal immigration contreversy and what to do about it has sparked many conflicts in the past months and years. Many as of lately in Arizona have turned extreme and anti-mexican because of their nature of getting to this country. However they ignore their past as the pilgrims and anyone who is not Native-American came to this continent in some form or through their immigrant ancestors and it seems a load of rubbish to not realize it.

Arizona Senate Bill 1070: Discriminitory law or an act of precaution?http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE63I6TU20100419

(Reporting by Tim Gaynor and David Schwartz; Editing by John O'Callaghan)- reuters.com

The Arizona Bill was passed  last April and some say that it is unconstitutional. People of Arizona can be stopped for any reason that may lead authorities to believe that the person is an illegal imigrant. Although this may seem like a good idea to stop terrorism in the United States it is discriminitory towards the Hispanic people based on their appearance and culture.