Current Events Blog #3

This article was about the most recent altercation with the police and Justin Bieber. It was talking about whether or not parents should worry so much about who their kids idolize. It talks about talking to your kids instead of just assuming. The article was more on how Justin Bieber affects kids or teens today rather than what actually happened. A thought that came from this was "Maybe...being famous isn't all its cracked up to be."

This does not relate much to specifically what were learning right now but it does relate to our lives. Being irresponsible is something that is common and cause a lot of harm. In the novel I am reading, there is a part about a car crash. The person hit a stop sign and knocked it down. Since she did not report it, another crash happened later on that caused a death. This is not exactly the same thing but you should get the point. If people try to be like Justin Bieber or any other celebrity that is a bad influence, then this world is going to end up being a terrible place.

Personally I don't know what to think about this event. He has had so much bad press and reports lately. I have never been a fan of him or his music. I have heard that the arrest was uncalled for and the report was falsified. If so, then the shame should be on the cops. Either way he doesn't seem too upset and he is already out of jail. If he was racing and doing drugs then the fact that he got away with it is appalling. I agree with Wallace about not parents not worrying about who their kids are idolizing.

The structure of this text refines and supports her claim by giving all the information in an organized way. She said in one part near the beginning, "But instead of fretting over what to say, many parents believe his arrest is a chance to continue the conversation about drinking, drug use and doing either while behind the wheel." A little later, she says, "And I'll go one step further and say they shouldn't judge him." She gave all the information but still stayed unbiased. She thinks that this should not be a big issue and I have to agree. She had quotes from many people that supported both sides. This makes her a good writer because it is easy to believe her. 

"Justin Bieber Mugshot." Photograph. Wikipedia. Wikipedia, 23 Jan. 2014. Web. 9 Jan. 2014. <http://zh.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Justin_Bieber_mugshot,_front.jpg>.

Wallace, Kelly. "Justin Bieber's downward spiral." CNN Living. Turner Broadcasting System, Inc, 24 Jan. 2014. Web. 4 Feb. 2014. <http://www.cnn.com/2014/01/24/living/justin-bieber-arrest-talk-to-kids-parents/index.html?hpt=hp_bn11>.

Current Event Blog #2

I read an article about college level athletes and their academic levels. It explained that many college athletes cannot read past a third grade level or at all. Many people don't believe this is fair. They think everyone should have the same standards. According to the article teachers are payed for classes or grades that are not taught or deserved.

We are learning about plagiarism a lot this year. I think this could fit in that category. This athletes are either not doing their work or turning in someone else's work. If they are lying about classes, grades, etc., then how can anyone believe that their results for the entrance exams are true. The fact that these people will eventually graduate means that they will be doing public jobs. They possibly won't be able to read but they can become doctors or lawyers.

I think this is ludicrous. It scares me a little. This should not be happening or be possible. I believe in equality
and they should have to work as hard as every other person. I wouldn't want to go to a college that allows this. It is something that gives young people a reason not to care about school as long as they can play a sport well. I hope that schools get this under control and make sure it doesn't continue in the future. In the future, when I'm looking into colleges, I will certainly look into this.

The author supports his claim that this is happening by giving details, statistics, and percentages. The article states "Some athletes don't aim for high scores when taking entrance exams, looking only to score high enough to become NCAA eligible." This is one of the many problems that occur when academics are not deemed important. He told about how, while they were doing the investigation, they talked to many colleges. The results they got from every college varied. One college that had a program in place to help solve this problem. At Iowa State, their program is "any athlete who is specially admitted... is mandated to start school in the summer term, where they are given remediation." This remediation/tutoring is available to the other students as well. I think this is a great idea. Everything in this text makes this seem like something that is terrible but can be fixed.

Phayes, Michael. "Masuk football." Photograph. Wikipedia. Wikipedia, 16 Oct. 2011. Media. 26 Jan. 2014. < http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Masuk_football.jpg >.

Ganim, Sara. "CNN analysis: Some college athletes play like adults, read like 5th-graders." CNN U.S. Turner Broadcasting System, Inc, 8 Jan. 2014. Web. 26 Jan. 2014. <http://www.cnn.com/2014/01/07/us/ncaa-athletes-reading-scores/index.html?hpt=hp_t1>.

Current Event Blog #1

 There was a devastating car crash that killed 4 people last month. The cause was a drunk teen driver. He had stolen a beer from a Walmart and then proceeded to crash his car. The first woman he killed was stranded on  the side of the road due to a car issue. Another woman and her daughter came to help and were also hit. A passerby was the last victim. The verdict was decided based on the thought that the teen suffered from  "affluenza". This means that he didn't understand the consequences of his actions because he was too rich and privileged. 

In my English class I am reading a book about suicide and that relates to this because of the deaths of young people. In Earth science we will learn about roadways and weather. I just finished a drivers ed class. This makes me think about how soon I will be driving. I don't want to end up in this teens position. I would never want to be responsible for someones death because I was being stupid. 

I think that this was the wrong decision on the judges part. Now there is an excuse for killing people that rich people can use. Not that they couldn't buy their way out of any way. This is the perfect example. He stole that beer. He got into his car. He needs to be punished. I don't know how he lives knowing what he did and the fact that he got away with it. I think some jail would do him good. He murdered 4 people. There is no way around that. Their families are suffering a loss that was unnecessary. As I read this article I was astonished at how crazy this is. I don't to drive knowing people like that are on the roads. I feel horrible for those peoples families.

His parents need parenting lessons. They should of had more control over their sons life. He should have never been allowed that freedom. I don't know him. I don't know his full story but I do know what its like to lose someone. I hope he has at least learned a lesson. I hope this teaches people about consequences. This should be a warning and should be spread. It could save lives if people find out what happens when your stupid. Don't ever think it won't happen to you. I'm sure that is what this teen thought. 

The central idea of the passage was the verdict of the case. It started by telling about car crash deaths. Then it told what this teen had been diagnosed with. The diagnosis was "affluenza" which the passage described as "his wealthy parents pretty much let him get away with everything." It explained what had happened with the case and how it ended. The final part included was what Eric Boyles, the husband and father of the woman and her daughter that were murdered, thought about the case. Boyles said "I felt that money did prevail." I have to agree with him. (Gray)

Howell, Robert. "Car Accident." Photograph. Wikipedia. Wikipedia, 10 Oct. 2005. Media. 9 Jan. 2014. <http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Car_Accident.jpg>.

Gray, Madison. "The Affluenza Defense: Judge Rules Rich Kid’s Rich Kid-ness Makes Him Not Liable for Deadly Drunk Driving Accident." Time NewsFeed. Time Inc, 12 Dec. 2013. Web. 9 Jan. 2014. <http://newsfeed.time.com/2013/12/12/the-affluenza-defense-judge-rules-rich-kids-rich-kid-ness-makes-him-not-liable-for-deadly-drunk-driving-accident/>.

Bi-Weekly Current Event #5

This article was about a new device that improve the gaming experience on IPhone or IPod's. The new controller looks very similar to the controller for the PlayStation or Xbox.

The article was titled "Moga Ace Power Controller: Precision Gaming on the Go."

Strange, Adario. "Moga Ace Power Controller: Precision Gaming on the Go." Mashable. Mashable, 19 Nov. 2013. Web. 19 Nov. 2013. <http://mashable.com/2013/11/19/moga-ace-power/>.

This controller is portable and light weight. It will allow the feeling of using a controller even when on your IPhone or IPod. The price is high though. It is about $100. The author of the article wrote that "the Moga seems to be priced just a bit above what it should be, given its build quality." Also there are some problems with it.

I have to agree that the price is high. If it was cheaper I would definitely buy it, though. It is an awesome new toy that can make gaming on cell phones funner. This affects me because sometimes when I play games on touch screen devices, I get annoyed. This would help because there would be the controller, buttons, and the touch screen. Also this would result in less scratches on the screen and much more. I think that this is an awesome idea and should be improved even further.

This could impact the world because it could result in more people playing games on their phone. It could also lessen the need for screen replacements. I think this could also cause problems though. This could make it to where anywhere people go they can game, even if they are not supposed to be. It can cause people to be distracted. I would hope that no one would try to use this while driving but I'm sure someone would. This would cause more wrecks and possibly injuries. In a positive note though, you would be able to game while waiting on something or breaks at work/school.

Bi-Weekly Current Event #4

Jossifresco, Skeleton, March 6 2013

This article telling about the new exoskeleton robot that gives you more arm strength.


"Award Winning Robotic Exoskeleton Boosts Your Arm Strength."
Strange, Adario. "Award Winning Robotic Exoskeleton." Mashable. Mashable, 7 Nov. 2013. Web. 7 Nov. 2013. <http://mashable.com/2013/11/07/titan-arm-exoskeleton/>.

In this article, it tells about four people who came up with this robotic exoskeleton to help you have more arm strength. They were in a competition with other inventors and they won. The prize was money to help better their invention. There are some inventions that are similar to this but Strange said that "Although the suit is not generally for sale, it is being offered for rental". He was talking about another invention that had come out earlier. It is also mentioned though that there are people working to make this an everyday object. The exoskeleton can be used for delivery people, people in rehab, and elderly people. (Strange)

I think this is awesome. This can be a great tool that can be useful. I think its cool that they invented this and won the competition. They deserved it. This affects me because my grandparents or others in my life could use this . It can help them in their daily lives and jobs. Even I could possibly use this in the future. I hope that it is available to the public soon. 

This affects the public because it can make more things available to the elderly or help people get jobs even if alone they are not competent. If available, it could make peoples lives easier. It could make jobs available for older people that are too frail or weak without it. It can make bigger deliveries easy and possible without too much extra work. Also if someone needed to move something heavy they could move it alone or with the help of less people. I think that the Robotic Exoskeleton could is a great advancement that could help people everywhere.