Southern Storms: 'I don't know how anyone survived'
162 people perished in Alabama after the storm that went through 16 counties.
How can a town recover from this kind of tragedy?
Video: Witness to the Tornado
This is a video of a tornado near Tuscaloosa, Oklahoma.
Witnesses Recount Tornado Encounters
The storms have killed over 240 people in the south. A resident said, "It was like a silent monster. It was full of lightning and it was moving at a steady rate and it was just demolishing everything in it's path."
How would you react if you were involved in these tornados?
Thursday, April 28, 2011
Thursday, April 14, 2011
Contemporary History 4-14-11
Family Farm Flattened by Twister
This family talks about their experience during the tornado and shows a picture of their house now.
How would you handle a situation like this?
Serviceman Returns Home to Help Clean Up After the Storm
A man returning from overseas is helping clean up the Mapleton area. He tells about the turnout and the amount of people that actually came to help also.
How do you think other communities can come together to help?
Mapleton Residents Pick Up the Pieces
This family talks about their experience during the tornado and shows a picture of their house now.
How would you handle a situation like this?
Serviceman Returns Home to Help Clean Up After the Storm
A man returning from overseas is helping clean up the Mapleton area. He tells about the turnout and the amount of people that actually came to help also.
How do you think other communities can come together to help?
Mapleton Residents Pick Up the Pieces
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Iowa Government, Technology, and Education
Schools Experiment with Touchscreens
schools in eastern Iowa are experimenting with touchscreen devices for assignments and other things. Teachers are also using them.
Do you think that this is a good idea?
Potential Candidates Speaking About Education in Des Moines
Potential 2012 U.S. Presidential candidates were speaking about education outside of Des Moines.
Do you have any ideas for Iowa's education?
Government Shutdown Could Strand Eastern Iowa Man
If the government would have shut down, then anybody overseas would be stranded there. This article is about an Iowa man's thoughts on it.
Do you think there are anyways to smooth the situation
schools in eastern Iowa are experimenting with touchscreen devices for assignments and other things. Teachers are also using them.
Do you think that this is a good idea?
Potential Candidates Speaking About Education in Des Moines
Potential 2012 U.S. Presidential candidates were speaking about education outside of Des Moines.
Do you have any ideas for Iowa's education?
Government Shutdown Could Strand Eastern Iowa Man
If the government would have shut down, then anybody overseas would be stranded there. This article is about an Iowa man's thoughts on it.
Do you think there are anyways to smooth the situation
Friday, April 1, 2011
Contemporary History 4-1-11
Body Of Ohio Woman Found
Her body was found in a septic system after the mother-in-law of the woman tipped off police. The Mother-in-law, father-in-law, and husband of the woman were arrested for kidnapping.
Why would they do something like this to her?
Remains Found on N.Y. Beach Not Missing Woman's
Human remains were found on a New York beach. They are not belonging to a missing woman that was reported in that area.
What should be done to solve this?
Video: Death Threats to Wisconsin Lawmakers
A woman is being charged for threatening these Wisconsin Lawmakers.
How would you handle this?
Her body was found in a septic system after the mother-in-law of the woman tipped off police. The Mother-in-law, father-in-law, and husband of the woman were arrested for kidnapping.
Why would they do something like this to her?
Remains Found on N.Y. Beach Not Missing Woman's
Human remains were found on a New York beach. They are not belonging to a missing woman that was reported in that area.
What should be done to solve this?
Video: Death Threats to Wisconsin Lawmakers
A woman is being charged for threatening these Wisconsin Lawmakers.
How would you handle this?
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Contemporary History 3-29-11
Iowa State University
I would like to go to Iowa State because they are know for their wildlife biology and agricultural programs.
Iowa Western
I would like to attend IWCC because you can start there and transfer to a 4 year school
Western Iowa Tech
I would be interested in attending WIT because I'm really into technology and hands on work and most of their courses deal with both.
I would like to go to Iowa State because they are know for their wildlife biology and agricultural programs.
Iowa Western
I would like to attend IWCC because you can start there and transfer to a 4 year school
Western Iowa Tech
I would be interested in attending WIT because I'm really into technology and hands on work and most of their courses deal with both.
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Contemporary History 3-24-11
President Obama's 2012 Plan Shelters Education
Obama has singled out education as a crucial area in the future economy. It talks about eliminating different techniques that aren't working and replacing the spending with more of the programs that are having a bigger impact on struggling students. I think that this kind of thinking should go into effect. There's programs out there that aren't producing the results that are needed, but are still taking up a lot of money. I think that some programs that are very effective are overlooked because they aren't the easiest programs out there.
Highlights of Obama's 2012 Spending Plan
Education is one of the few programs that is getting a large budget raise in 2012. The budget is increasing by $4.5 Million from what it was in 2011. This money will be spent on different reforms, including teacher training for STEM projects. (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) He wants to spend $80 Million on recruiting 10,000 teachers for these STEM projects over the next two years. His goal is to have 100,000 in ten years. I think that this is how it needs to be. Teachers are the most crucial part of the student's learning experience. If more is done to ensure that the teachers are highly qualified for their position, then the students' chances of being successful are much higher.
Obama has singled out education as a crucial area in the future economy. It talks about eliminating different techniques that aren't working and replacing the spending with more of the programs that are having a bigger impact on struggling students. I think that this kind of thinking should go into effect. There's programs out there that aren't producing the results that are needed, but are still taking up a lot of money. I think that some programs that are very effective are overlooked because they aren't the easiest programs out there.
Highlights of Obama's 2012 Spending Plan
Education is one of the few programs that is getting a large budget raise in 2012. The budget is increasing by $4.5 Million from what it was in 2011. This money will be spent on different reforms, including teacher training for STEM projects. (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) He wants to spend $80 Million on recruiting 10,000 teachers for these STEM projects over the next two years. His goal is to have 100,000 in ten years. I think that this is how it needs to be. Teachers are the most crucial part of the student's learning experience. If more is done to ensure that the teachers are highly qualified for their position, then the students' chances of being successful are much higher.
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Contemporary History 3-23-11
Video: Soldiers Accused of Killing Afghan Citizens for Trophies
These soldiers are being charged for killing Afghan Citizens and posing them for trophy pictures. They are also keeping fingers and other body parts as souvenirs of the killings.
Should investigation be done to see how much of this is actually going on over seas?
Mother Arrested for Encouraging Son to Fight
This mother is arrested for a video captured of her encouraging her son to pummel another boy.
How should she be charged?
Police Shoot Tear Gas Into Wrong Room
A family is wondering who will pay for damages after police shot tear gas into the wrong apartment.
Should the family be rewarded for dealing with stuff like this?
These soldiers are being charged for killing Afghan Citizens and posing them for trophy pictures. They are also keeping fingers and other body parts as souvenirs of the killings.
Should investigation be done to see how much of this is actually going on over seas?
Mother Arrested for Encouraging Son to Fight
This mother is arrested for a video captured of her encouraging her son to pummel another boy.
How should she be charged?
Police Shoot Tear Gas Into Wrong Room
A family is wondering who will pay for damages after police shot tear gas into the wrong apartment.
Should the family be rewarded for dealing with stuff like this?
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Contemporary History 3-22-11 Libya
Video: U.S. Fighter Jet Crashes in Libya
After an equipment malfunction, the pilot and weapons specialist ejected from the plane. The plane went on to crash. Both of them were rescued and are off of libyan soil.
U.S. Joins Bombing of Libya
This article talks about the U.S. role in the bombing of Libya.
Do you think that this should have been done?
U.N. Authorized Bombing of Libya
This is an article talking about the plans to bomb libya
What is your opinion about this bombing?
After an equipment malfunction, the pilot and weapons specialist ejected from the plane. The plane went on to crash. Both of them were rescued and are off of libyan soil.
U.S. Joins Bombing of Libya
This article talks about the U.S. role in the bombing of Libya.
Do you think that this should have been done?
U.N. Authorized Bombing of Libya
This is an article talking about the plans to bomb libya
What is your opinion about this bombing?
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Contemporary History 3/8/11
Police Find Body of U.S. Student In Madrid
After draining part of the Manzanares River, his body turned up. He went missing after he had left a party with a group of friends over a week ago.
What do you think happened to him?
Mexican Police Chief Fired After She Fled
She fled the country and moved to the U.S. She was the only person that would take the job of police chief in Praxedis G. Guerrero, Mexico. She was only twenty years old when she took over.
Would you ever take over the job of police chief in such a dangerous city?
Video: South Korea, U.S. Conduct Live Fire Drill
They are basically learning the terrain and preparing themselves in that area.
Do you think that things could heat up enough to create combat?
After draining part of the Manzanares River, his body turned up. He went missing after he had left a party with a group of friends over a week ago.
What do you think happened to him?
Mexican Police Chief Fired After She Fled
She fled the country and moved to the U.S. She was the only person that would take the job of police chief in Praxedis G. Guerrero, Mexico. She was only twenty years old when she took over.
Would you ever take over the job of police chief in such a dangerous city?
Video: South Korea, U.S. Conduct Live Fire Drill
They are basically learning the terrain and preparing themselves in that area.
Do you think that things could heat up enough to create combat?
Monday, March 7, 2011
Contemporary History 3/7/11
Day Care Owner Wanted for Fire
This day care owner carelessly started a fire that killed four children, then fled. She is on the U.S. Marshall Service's most wanted list.
What should her punishment be when she's caught?
Florida Woman Charged With Murder of Adopted Girl
They found the girl in a plastic bag in her truck. The girl's twin brother was also found and treated for severe burns from the chemicals in the truck.
Should more be done to ensure that adopting parents are a safe place for the children?
Video: People Say Doomsday is Coming
Video: Tornado Rips Through Louisiana Town
This day care owner carelessly started a fire that killed four children, then fled. She is on the U.S. Marshall Service's most wanted list.
What should her punishment be when she's caught?
Florida Woman Charged With Murder of Adopted Girl
They found the girl in a plastic bag in her truck. The girl's twin brother was also found and treated for severe burns from the chemicals in the truck.
Should more be done to ensure that adopting parents are a safe place for the children?
Video: People Say Doomsday is Coming
Video: Tornado Rips Through Louisiana Town
Friday, March 4, 2011
Contemporary History 3/4/11
Innocent Man Served 17 years in Prison
After serving 17 years, DNA showed that he didn't commit rape.
Do you think that he should receive special perks and whatnot for serving innocently?
Drunken Priest Offered Sex to Police Officers
The priest was arrested for OVI after being 3X the legal limit, and offered sex to police officers to let him out.
Should he have had more charges against him?
Jogger Finds Woman's Body
While jogging he came upon a woman's body
Do you think more should be done to prevent people from just dropping bodies off so easily?
After serving 17 years, DNA showed that he didn't commit rape.
Do you think that he should receive special perks and whatnot for serving innocently?
Drunken Priest Offered Sex to Police Officers
The priest was arrested for OVI after being 3X the legal limit, and offered sex to police officers to let him out.
Should he have had more charges against him?
Jogger Finds Woman's Body
While jogging he came upon a woman's body
Do you think more should be done to prevent people from just dropping bodies off so easily?
Thursday, March 3, 2011
Contemporary History 3/3/11 Sportsmanship
Good Sportsmanship Costs the Match
A bad call could have let Roddick win the tennis match, but he told the truth and ended up losing.
Bad Sportsmanship During Barcelona's Win
After being tackled in this soccer game, a player was down and everybody on that team had stopped playing, but the other team kept playing.
Bad Sportsmanship Video: Andre Johnson Fights Cortland Finnegan
Good Sportsmanship Video: Injured Softball Player Carried Around the Bases
A bad call could have let Roddick win the tennis match, but he told the truth and ended up losing.
Bad Sportsmanship During Barcelona's Win
After being tackled in this soccer game, a player was down and everybody on that team had stopped playing, but the other team kept playing.
Bad Sportsmanship Video: Andre Johnson Fights Cortland Finnegan
Good Sportsmanship Video: Injured Softball Player Carried Around the Bases
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
Contemporary History 3/1/11
Plagiarism Lines Blur for Students in Digital Age
This talks about several cases of plagiarism and tells why students may be doing it.
Do you think there is anything that websites can do to prevent plagiarism?
German Defense Minister Resigns Over Plagiarism
He had plagiarized on his doctoral dissertation. People had been criticizing his academics and he admitted to plagiarism.
Do you think that more people might be doing stuff like this?
Video: Plagiarism Cheating in School
This talks about several cases of plagiarism and tells why students may be doing it.
Do you think there is anything that websites can do to prevent plagiarism?
German Defense Minister Resigns Over Plagiarism
He had plagiarized on his doctoral dissertation. People had been criticizing his academics and he admitted to plagiarism.
Do you think that more people might be doing stuff like this?
Video: Plagiarism Cheating in School
Monday, February 28, 2011
Contemporary History 2-28-11
Video: Robber's "Duh" Moment
Three Adopted Children Living In Inhumane Conditions
A couple was arrested for keeping their three adopted children in awful conditions. They forced them to eat dog food and confined the 15 year old child in a plastic dog carrier for 2 months. They were released on a bond of $9000.
Should the bond be higher for these kind of crimes?
Man Who Threatened 'South Park' Sentenced to 25 Years in Prison
He threatened the makers of 'South Park' for an episode of the show that had Mohammed in a Bear Suit. He gave out their addresses and told everybody to pay them a visit. He is now sentenced to 25 years in prison.
Should more be done to stop these kind of threats?
Three Adopted Children Living In Inhumane Conditions
A couple was arrested for keeping their three adopted children in awful conditions. They forced them to eat dog food and confined the 15 year old child in a plastic dog carrier for 2 months. They were released on a bond of $9000.
Should the bond be higher for these kind of crimes?
Man Who Threatened 'South Park' Sentenced to 25 Years in Prison
He threatened the makers of 'South Park' for an episode of the show that had Mohammed in a Bear Suit. He gave out their addresses and told everybody to pay them a visit. He is now sentenced to 25 years in prison.
Should more be done to stop these kind of threats?
Friday, February 25, 2011
Genetic Engineering: Designer Babies and Cloning
Genetics has come very far. A few years ago, you would have no idea weather or not your baby was a boy or a girl. You wouldn’t know anything about it until it was born. Now you are able to predetermine its gender, hair color, eye color, and body type. Gene therapy has very high expectations. If it lives up to what scientists are saying, you should be able to separate undesirable genes. In the future it may be like shopping. You can make the child have a certain hair color or eye color. You may also be able to choose to have a tall muscular kid, or a short skinny kid. They call it the ‘ultimate shopping experience.’ A lot of people criticize these procedures. They say that it crosses many ethical boundaries. They say that this kind of gene therapy is still a few years away. This is actually a lot closer to becoming a reality than people think. They are already using this type engineering on certain different species. Some types of bacteria are very common for genetic engineering. Only a few different types of animals have been used, but it’s proven to be a success.
This isn’t the only type of genetic engineering that is becoming popular. Cloning is a big issue. Cloning is the act of making a copy of the original one. They’ve cloned only one animal so far. It was a sheep named Dolly. Cloning isn’t quite what people think it is though. When an animal is cloned, the clone starts out as a newborn. As it ages it may become different than the original one. The environment and eating habits are different things that may effect how the clone grows up. They are basically like twins, twins aren’t the same person, but they usually look alike. The main purpose for cloning would be for health though. People can use the cloning to create new organs for people who need a transplant. The body won’t reject it and it becomes easier and healthier for the person.
I think that this will really help families that have many genetic diseases. It will be more likely that people won’t have a mutated child. Also, if the technology becomes as advanced as they say it will, we may be able to get rid of some genetic diseases. Maybe one day you will be able to totally design your baby to be very smart, or athletic. Maybe you can design him to be a specific height or body weight. I think that this is a good thing. I think that if people can get passed the ethical issues, it will be very effective. When diseases that are life threatening are no longer here, I think everybody will jump aboard and stop criticizing. The only bad thing is that maybe there won’t be as much diversity in people. People will decide that there is one certain child that everybody wants, and everybody will start to look more and more alike. Cloning will be useful for making organ transplants, the body won’t try to reject the new Organ. These are both a good idea for health and will one day be a success.
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Contemporary History 2-22-11
Mother Accused of Being Drunk and Falling on and Smothering Baby
This woman from West Virginia was drunk and high and fell on the baby, which smothered it.
How should she be charged?
Florida City Loses 3 Officers in 28 Days
Within the last 28 days, 3 police officers in St. Petersburg, Florida have been shot and killed.
Should the city do more to protects it's officers?
Video: Roof Collapse Caught on Camera
This woman from West Virginia was drunk and high and fell on the baby, which smothered it.
How should she be charged?
Florida City Loses 3 Officers in 28 Days
Within the last 28 days, 3 police officers in St. Petersburg, Florida have been shot and killed.
Should the city do more to protects it's officers?
Video: Roof Collapse Caught on Camera
Friday, February 18, 2011
2-18-11
Curfews Ordered for 5 Teen Bullies
5 admitted to attacking a 13 year old boy on his way home from school and were assigned curfews, community service, and electric monitoring.
Do you think that this should be better enforced and more punishments be assigned?
Mother Charged for Allegedly Binding Child in Duct Tape
She was arrested for illegal restraint and put in prison.
Why would she wrap a baby in duct tape?
Video: Naked Sausage Thief Caught on Tape
5 admitted to attacking a 13 year old boy on his way home from school and were assigned curfews, community service, and electric monitoring.
Do you think that this should be better enforced and more punishments be assigned?
Mother Charged for Allegedly Binding Child in Duct Tape
She was arrested for illegal restraint and put in prison.
Why would she wrap a baby in duct tape?
Video: Naked Sausage Thief Caught on Tape
Friday, February 11, 2011
Contemporary History 2-11-11
Video: Egypt's Mubarak Steps Down
3 Teenage Boys Among 7 Somalis Facing Death Penalty
3 Teenage Boys Among 7 Somalis Facing Death Penalty
Seven Somalis, including three boys under 15 years old, could face the death penalty if convicted on charges of firing on Malaysian armed forces while attempting to a hijack a merchant ship.
Do you think that the teens should face death?
Trees are protecting villages in Guatemala from mudslides.
Should more trees be planted along mountains and whatnot to protect the villages?
Thursday, February 3, 2011
Contemporary History 2-3-11
Elementary Principal Fatally Shot
A custodian shot the principal of a school in northern California to death.
Should staff be checked as well as students.
Man arrested for driving a snowmobile drunk
He was spotted and police could tell he was drunk. He fled and got stuck. He may be charged with drunk driving and fleeing police.
Should this be as big of a deal as they are making it?
Journalists Under Attack in Cairo
A custodian shot the principal of a school in northern California to death.
Should staff be checked as well as students.
Man arrested for driving a snowmobile drunk
He was spotted and police could tell he was drunk. He fled and got stuck. He may be charged with drunk driving and fleeing police.
Should this be as big of a deal as they are making it?
Journalists Under Attack in Cairo
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Monday, January 24, 2011
Contemporary History 1-24-10
Woman Tells Police that God told her to kill the dog
after her nephew's pitbull chewed her bible, she hung and set the dog on fire.
How should she be punished?
He was sent to prison after beating one of his fellow students.
How long should he be in prison?
Witnesses say that they saw a car with the boy trapped inside, driven into a canal.
What would you do to search for him?
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Contemporary History 1-14-11
Timeliness- New Englanders Dig Out After Snowstorm
There is snow in 49 out of the 50 states and New England is having a hard time digging out. This is timely because everybody is digging out.
Relevance- Omaha Teacher to Stand Trial on Sex Charges
He is accused of sexually assaulting two children. This story takes place in Omaha.
Magnitude- More than 500 Dead in Brazil Flooding
A killer flood hit Brazil killing over 500 and injuring many more. This has a very high magnitude of deaths
Unexpectedness- Stampede Kills 100 in Southern India
A stampede of people in india killed over 100 people and injured 14. This seems pretty unexpected to me.
They are debating the repeal of Obama's Healthcare Overhaul Bill. This would effect the entire United States.
Reference to Someone Famous- Steven Tyler's 'Idol' Reincarnation
Steven Tyler is an American Idol Judge. They say its difficult to tell if he's promoting the show or himself
The woman spent 12 hours behind bars after she was pinned to a wall by a police officer's horse and pushed him away. The officer thought that she had slapped it.
Conflict- Camden, N.J. Laying Off Police Officers
The city has the 2nd highest crime rate, but they are struggling to close a $26.5 million budget cap. They are laying off 44% of their officers.
Reference to Bad Things- Flooding Hits Northwestern U.S.
100-150 residents have been stranded or abandoned their homes
Continuity- Arizona Shooter: Evil or Mentally Ill?
It is still being debated upon, whether he is insane, or knows right from wrong.
The Rescuers had ahold of Jordan (13) but he rescued his 10 year old brother instead, and lost his own life. People get really emotional when they here this story.
Progress- Giffords Making Progress, Doctors Say
Giffords remains in critical condition, but is almost ready to get rid of the breathing tube. She is bringing new hope to her family.
Thursday, January 13, 2011
Contemporary History 1-13-11
Boy's Sacrifice Saves Brother
A mother and her two boys were driving in a vehicle, when they got caught in the flood. The rescuers got to the 13 year old boy but he let his ten year old brother go first. Both himself and his mother were taken away by the flood, but the 10 year old survived.
Would you have done the same?
Bus Fight Caught On Tape
A video was taken on a bus. People were fighting and it was caught on tape.
Should they be punished? How?
Man Caught After 32 Years
A man escaped from jail 32 years ago and was just caught.
Should he still be punished?
A mother and her two boys were driving in a vehicle, when they got caught in the flood. The rescuers got to the 13 year old boy but he let his ten year old brother go first. Both himself and his mother were taken away by the flood, but the 10 year old survived.
Would you have done the same?
Bus Fight Caught On Tape
A video was taken on a bus. People were fighting and it was caught on tape.
Should they be punished? How?
Man Caught After 32 Years
A man escaped from jail 32 years ago and was just caught.
Should he still be punished?
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
1-12-11 Contemporary History Articles
Mass Shooting in Tuscan, Arizona
A man went on a mass shooting that killed six people, and injured several others. The man is pleading insanity.
How do you think he should be punished? Should the insanity change anything?
In the middle of the night the mother was awaken by the baby's screams. She got to his room and saw that the boy was missing 7 fingers that the ferret had eaten. The parents are being charged for neglect.
What should happen to them?
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