Reflection 2

This post i will like to talk about my plans for summer. So the school year is coming to an end, and i cannot wait. In the majority of my classes, teacher find useless activities to do in order to waste time until the year is over. This is mainly due to the fact that the AP exams are over. I wish we could just take the finals now instead of dragging it all out. In class i usually sit there as we watch movies or due time wasting paperwork. Either way, once school is out, i spend now since lacrosse is over, a majority of my time playing basketball outside with friends. Now that is one of the most fun recreational activities you can easily do. THe best is when it is competitive. and it gets better. After being so hot and sweaty from basketball. we simply make our way to our friend kevins house to go in his pool. We possibly just then play more pool basketball or pool volleyball. Even better we get the chicks to come there too. Then i make my way home and eat and then play video games. Life is hard for me, as you can see. Now that i have no homework, i dont have much to do. At home i simply hangout and maybe hit the punching bag for more workout. then go to sleep. and repeat.

Current event 2

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/25/nyregion/25newark.html?hp

Man Is Convicted in Newark Schoolyard Murders

By RICHARD PÉREZ-PEÑA

Published: May 24, 2010

In Neward, Delware, there was a tragic event. Gang members, headed by Rodolfo Godinez, took a machete and a Trooper colt revolver to a schoolyard and killed 4 college aged teenagers. Godinez was 26 years old and a native Nicaraguan. Luckily, one of the girls survived, and has to testify in horror about how she had to hear and watch her friends and sibiling get killed in front of her. Godinez was a member of the MS-13 gang, which is prevolent here in northern virginia too. He was sent to trial and accused of murder, attempted murder, battery, sexual assault, and robbery. Each of these charges holds 30 years prison. The warden said, "this guy will never see the light of day". The girl that survived was shot in the head but lived, although sexually assaulted and mugged. She had to go through several reconstruction surgeries and is semi-paralyzed in her face.
I chose this article because it has relevance to our location, with the ms-13 gang around there. This gang is no good, and the guy whose daughter survived in the article said "this shows what happens to kids joining gangs". I think it was well written, and gave a good explaination to what was going on. As far as enjoying, it was unfortunate and sad to read. i believe it is good to explain the dangers of the modern age. The guy was also an illegal immigrant, so this will bring a better help to stop illegal immigration.

reflection 1

So it looks like all of my plans for college are set.
i will be going to virginia tech. i will be going with a couple friends, but i decided to room with a random, because i didnt want to get sick of one of my friends, id rather it be a random person.
I am somwhat excited for my plans. i am very happy to be on my own, but the idea of going to a farm ville town doesnt appeal to me. unfortunately virginia doesnt have the kind of colleges i was looking for, and since scholarships are difficult for out of state, especially for good schools, i chose tech. on the up side, my sister will be there with me for however long she wants to stay studying.
I will be studying business management at first, although i was thinking about engineering. the truth is i do not know what i want to do, and i dont see how any 18 year old would know, unless you are a creepy kid who always had a passion for one thing, which i think is sort of a waste for the endless horizon youth. we will see though. i also received a scholarship. it isnt the most money, but it does help.
nevertheless, i know i will have fun at vt. i just dont want to lose my passion for big cities because of living in blacksburg. i think college will be as good as i make it, though. i doubt i will complain anyways when im there.
plus they have awesome football and great sports. and great intramural sports.

current event 1

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/17/us/17spill.html?hp

BP Reports Some Success in Capturing Leaking Oil

By SHAILA DEWAN

Published: May 16, 2010

The issue about the oil leak is a tragic one. I am a supporting of wildlife and nature and i hate to see things like this happen, especially when there is little i, as well as officials, can do. The article states that the newest method for stopping the oil spill was using a mile long pipe to suck up some of the oil and bring it up to surface ships. This is only a temporary solution though, and they believe that the next step will be to completely seal it. The two ideas for that is to use mud and cement to overcome the rising pressure and seal it, or to use the "junk shot" method and shoot golf balls and other trash items into the hole, sealing it also.
Officials are stating that the problem was greater than first perceived. The hole, they say, is bigger than they thought. They also say that despite the magnitude of this calamity, the beaches and wetlands are not that damaged due to favorable tides and winds. The next goal is to also stop it from having too much environmental damage.
With 200,000 gallons a day, the problem is not a light one. THe problem is trying to suck up all the oil without getting mud and seawater.

I chose this article because it is a sensitive subject for me. i like animals and wildlife and nature, and to see it being ruined without a solution is devastating. I like staying updated on this subject.
I think it was well written, and relatively easy to understand. i think it got right to the point and gave the facts in a straight, interesting way.
I enjoyed this article a lot, and hope many more, especially with solutions.

Editorial 5

Race and Mythology in Drug Laws

Published: March 19, 2010
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/20/opinion/20sat3.html

This is an editorial displaying the unjust laws set forth by congress about two decades ago concerning the punishment for possession of crack cocaine compared to powdered cocaine. It was thought theses laws were made as a result of racism, or meant to trigger the blacks. While blacks make up 30% of all crack cocaine users, the make up 80% of the ones convicted for possession of it. Crack cocaine has been cooked with baking powder as compared to the powered kind. The argument was said that crack cocaine was more addictive, but studies show that isnt true. The punishment was 100 times stronger against crack cocaine users. The punishment for having 500 ounces of powdered cocaine was the same as having 5 ounces of crack cocaine. This week a compromise reform law was put in place in the senate bring the ration back down to 18-1.

I think this is a very interesting article. I would have never expected the US to still have such unfair laws, for i thought we got through all of those. There is definitely a hint of racism still lingering though. We need to get the house to get its act together and fix this simple law. Studies have shown there is no difference in the two drugs, so they should make it even.

editorial 4

National School Standards, at Last

Published: March 13, 2010

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/14/opinion/14sun1.html?ref=opinion


This is a very good article talking about how the national level of education varies from place to place, even district to district. This has caused the united states to be brought down on the list of most highly educated people. The problem was brought up in 1983 by the 'No child left behind' policy. This is a mere reflection of what some say is mediocrity. They explain that if we accept average in our early child life, we will grow up to be average adults. The federal agencies have conducted tests that show that even though students in some areas score high on test they are given at their school, they score very badly on the test given federally. With a poor area, education becomes poorer, kids grow up with less education and get low level jobs, thus hurting our economy and country. A board of superintendents are forming a national organization which would unify education standards across the US.
I liked this article and i agree with it one hundred percent. Average should not be condoned in society. There is no point in living a miracle of life and choosing to waste it. We can improve people, our society, and many other aspects of our life just by expanding our education. It is a great idea and im down for it, besides, it wouldnt effect us, because we are the smartest in the nation.

editorial 3?

Justice for Judges

Published: March 5, 2010

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/06/opinion/06sat2.html

The editorial talks about how low the salaries are for judges around the nation. The author says the worst is definitely New York in terms of lowest salary. Compared to the New Jersey judges, they make about 30,000 dollars less a year. The problem is that we cannot simply raise the salary because it would be linked to the politicians salary, which is a big no no in the justice system. Also, doing this would be in contradictory to the checks and balances of powers in the constitution. They author suggested that they make a commission that slowly raises the pay over the next two years. This would be helpful, considering it hasnt increased since 1999, despite higher costs of living.
I thought this article was interesting. It really makes you ponder over all the difficulties of politics in our nation. It is not an easy job, and no answer is ever clear and positive. I think the judges should definitely get a pay raise, for they are the most important part of our federalist system. Over time would be a good idea too, but either way it needs to get done.