12/04/09 - National / International

The War in Afghanistan

A New Strategy

This week President Obama announced his new strategy for fighting the war in Afghanistan.  Since then there has been no shortage of political commentary on the subject.  I have chosen three articles, all with very different points of view for you to consider.

The first article by Bob Herbert (A Tragic Mistake) argues that President Obama's plan is a mistake. The next article by Charles Krauthammer(Uncertain Trumpet) is also critical of the President's plan, but for a completely different reason. The last article (Surge, Then Leave) by David Ignatius is in favor of the President's strategy.

Look at all three articles and answer the questions on your current events worksheet, then post your own opinion of the President's plan in the comments section.

12/04/09 - Sports

Does Tiger Woods Have a Right to Privacy?

In his statement, he said:

No matter how intense curiosity about public figures can be, there is an important and deep principle at stake which is the right to some simple, human measure of privacy. I realize there are some who don’t share my view on that. But for me, the virtue of privacy is one that must be protected in matters that are intimate and within one’s own family. Personal sins should not require press releases and problems within a family shouldn’t have to mean public confessions.

But in the age of the Internet, when the media is not just traditional mainstream press or even the tabloids, but bloggers and twitterers, is a claim of privacy even possible? And is there a difference between a public figure and a well-known figure when it comes to privacy?

12/04/09 - National

This CNN story follows Will McClain, a recent high school graduate from a small town in California, as he enlists in the U.S. Army. I thought Will's story was interesting because it is similar to the story of many recent graduates of our own school.

Do you know anyone who has recently entered the military? What has their experience been like?

Have you ever considered serving in the military yourself? Has the war in Iraq and Afghanistan influenced your decision one way or another?

12/04/09 - Cartoon of the Week

What issue(s) and events does this cartoon deal with? What is the cartoon’s message? Does the cartoon clearly convey the desired message? Why or why not?

12/04/09 - Local News

New Unemployment Figures Released for Blair County

The Altoona Mirror has reported that the unemployment rate decreased in Blair county in October but increased in three neighboring counties.

What effect has the economic recession had on communities and families in our school district? How is your family and/or friends and neighbors coping with the recession?

12/04/09 - National/Teen Issues

Gauging Your Distraction:

An Online Texting & Driving Game

Recent studies show that drivers overestimate their ability to multitask behind the wheel. Play this online game to measure how your reaction time is affected by external distractions.
Do you think there should be a law in Pennsylvania banning texting and/or talking on a cell phone while driving? Why or why not?

12/04/09 - Science/National News

Developmental Psychologist Says Teenagers Are Different

Laurence Steinberg (above) is a developmental psychologist at Temple University in Philadelphia and one of the leading experts in the United States on adolescent behavior and adolescent brain biology.

In this short interview in the NY Times, Dr. Steinberg says that "when it comes to crime, [teenagers] are less responsible for their behavior than adults. And typically, in the law, we don’t punish people as much who are less responsible."

Do you agree with Dr. Stienberg's opinion that we should not punish teenagers in the same way as we punish adults for the same crime? Explain your position.

Current Events Week 4 International

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/20/world/asia/20afghan.html?_r=1&ref=world


Who do you think should run Afghanistan?  What do you think about the elections? Were they fair?  Who was the incumbent running against, do you think he actually resigned, or was he "forced"?  What do you think about our time in the county, should we influence the government more, or let them figure it out for themselves? What role does America have in other countries affairs if anything?

Current Events Week 4 Local

The Tyrone, Central rematch is this weekend. What went wrong for Tyrone in the first game they played? Do you think those issues were addressed and they are ready to go? What do you think of the Central Coach calling this game “PG” for potentially great? Do you plan on attending the game? Do you think that fans can actually influence the outcome of the game? Why or Why not? Do you think those “crazy fans” do it because they think they can influence a game, or just to show their loyalty?


http://www.altoonamirror.com/page/content.detail/id/524524.html?nav=765

Current Events Week 4 National News

http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/tech/2009/11/13/sot.nasa.moon.nasa


Watch the video on NASA’s newest finding on the moon, What did they find? Did they find a lot of the substance or was there very minimal amounts? What does this say about the possibility of life on other planets? What do you believe on this issue, is there life outside this world? As the technology increases in this country should we be spending more money on exploring space, or should we focus on things at home like healthcare or poverty? What would benefit us more in the long run? What are the positives and negatives on each side of this debate?

Current Events Week 4 Technology

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/17/business/energy-environment/17power.html?ref=technology


Do you think paying the extra money to “go green” is worth it? Would you still pay if you knew that most of your fee wasn’t going into the actual resources? If only 2% of the population are interested in this new technology is it worth it? Will it ever catch on to more of the population? Or will more people continue to pay cheaper prices even though it is slowly destroying the environment?

Current Events Week 4 Politics

President Obama is visiting China right now, and his visit is extremely scripted. He only met with people that the Chinese government cleared, and the government imprisoned some “radical” individuals that were well known protestors. President Obama knows this and still is cooperating with this oppressive regime. Is it a smart move on his part to go along with what China wants, or should he try to bring change to the country? Is that something he should start in his first official trip, or should he wait until later in his presidency to try to bring some change? What are the benefits of each viewpoint?




http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/18/world/asia/18china.html?_r=1&hpw

Current Events Week 4 Movies

Go to http://movies.nytimes.com/pages/movies/index.html and pick one movie review written on this site. Summarize the review and then briefly give your opinion on the review. Would you go see this movie? Why or why not?

Current events Week 4 Hot Topics

http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/11/16/college-ivy-sprouts-at-a-connecticut-prison/


Do these prisoners have the right to a prestigious college education? Between them they have to serve 600 years in prison. If some of these prisoners are serving life sentences is it even worth them taking this course? Every Wednesday regular students come and take part of the discussion with these inmates, how would you feel if you had a class with murders, drug dealers, and kidnappers? Would their viewpoints be different than yours? Are these people all thugs that shouldn’t be listened too, or could they raise valid points in a intellectual discussion?

Current events Week 4 Sports

http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=4660252v


Do you agree with the coaching decision? Should he have trusted his defense, or did he make the right call? What do you think about Bruski’s comments? He said that the veteran players that are now gone had the chance to prove themselves in big play situations, how will these new players get the chance if their coach doesn’t trust them? Is this an issue that could be fixed in a short time, or is this the start of a huge break between the coach and his defensive players?

Current Events Week 3 Local

http://www.altoonamirror.com/page/content.detail/id/524318.html?nav=742




Why is it important to remember those in the “forgotten war”? Do you know anyone who has served in this war? Why is it important to recognize them now, when it occurred so long ago? Is it important to honor veterans of major wars or conflicts, or anyone who has served this country? If you served our country would you want a ceremony thanking you, or is the pride you feel from serving good enough?

Current Events Week 3 National

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/11/us/11foodfight.html?em


Do you think the punishment fit the crime? Is this a criminal act or just kids being kids? Why do you think the school found it necessary to arrest the children involved? What message does it send to the rest of the school and the community? Is that a type of community and school you think would make model citizens? Why or why not?

Current Events Week 3 Politics

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/11/us/11aclu.html?ref=politics

What do you think of the story?  Do you think this man has the right to sue the FBI?  Is this a case of profiling? What do you think about racial profiling, should it be done? Are there benefits or is it just discrimination?  Since he is an American citizen does he have more right than others around the world?  What are some of the basic rights that could have been violated here?

Current Events Week 3 International News

What are your opinions on the political cartoon?  What is the cartoonist saying about the dangers of war?   With the Fort Hood shootings should people rush out and join the army like they did after 9/11, or should it steer some people away from joining?  If you had the choice to enlist today, what would you do and why?

Current Events Week 3 Hot Topics

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/09/books/09philosophy.html?pagewanted=1&_r=1&b

This article examines the idea that you can seperate a man from his ideas.  Can there be a philosopher who is also a Nazi? Remember, one of this countries founding fathers was a slave holder. (Jefferson) Do you think it is possible to separate a mans thoughts from his actions? Should a persons political views be the only factor that you look at when you judge a person?

Current Events Week 3 Movies

Go to http://movies.nytimes.com/pages/movies/index.html and pick one movie review written on this site. Summarize the review and then briefly give your opinion on the review. Would you go see this movie? Why or why not?

Current Events Week 3 Sports

http://ethicist.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/11/10/are-high-tech-prostheses-fair/


What do you think about this article? Do you think prosthetics are fair? Is this a way to be fair to everyone who wants to compete or is it giving people an unfair advantage? Should these people be able to compete in competitive events like the Olympics? Why or why not

Current Events Week 3 Technology

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/03/nyregion/03ship.html?_r=1&scp=1&sq=uss%20new%20york&st=cse



This is the article, and video of the USS New York. Where was the ship constructed? Why is this boat so significant to New York city? What is some of the boat made out of? Do you think it is a memorial to those who lost their lives or is it disrespectful in any way? In your opinion why do you think they chose to use the material they did to make the ship?

Current Events Week 2 Local

http://www.altoonamirror.com/page/content.detail/id/524108.html





We all know that there is a movie being filmed in your backyard, and everyone is making a big deal about it. Are you excited for them to leave? Or sad that they arent filming a lot more here in Tyrone. Have you had any personal experience with anyone you know being in the movie? If you were approached to be in the movie would you?

Current Events Week 2 American News

This video is about health care, and insurance. This mans expenses are one million dollars a year to stay alive, who’s responsibility is it to pay for the healthcare? Should people like this who are in most need of care be cut from their insurance because they are expensive? Who has the authority to decide what person deserves to get healthcare or not? Do you think everyone in America should get full heath care? Why or why not?

http://www.cnn.com/video/?/video/politics/2009/10/21/am.acosta.insurance.dogs.cnn

Current Events Week 2 International

http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/africa/10/30/yacht.pirates/index.html





This is a story about pirates, and how they are becoming a lot more active in recent years. Why would they become more active? What did the pirates do in this news story and what are the possible outcomes? Why the British Government would refuse to pay the ransom, is this a good or bad idea?

Current Events Week 2 Movies

Go to http://movies.nytimes.com/pages/movies/index.html and pick one movie review written on this site. Summarize the review and then briefly give your opinion on the review. Would you go see this movie? Why or why not?

Current Events Week 2 Goverment/Politics

http://ethicist.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/11/03/must-you-vote/









This article takes a very different approach to voting, and our right to vote. What do you think about it? Should Americans vote if they are not properly educated on specific issues? What are some of the consequences of voting without much knowledge? Are there any benifets? Lastly he says that things like MTV's Rock the Vote are idiotic....do you agree? Why or why not?

Current Events Week 2 Hot Topics

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/02/us/politics/02caucus.html?_r=1





What channel do you or your family get your news from? Are the generalizations they make in the article true about your political views? How can manipulating the news affect people and how they react to the event? Is there anything good that can come out of “polarized” news station or is it all negative?

Current Events Week 2 Technology

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/02/technology/02textingside.html?scp=5&sq=text%20message&st=cse








What do you think about texting in general? Why has texting become so popular? Has it replaced the use of calling people as your major form of communication? Some say that texting while driving should have as much as a punishment as drunk driving...do you agree?

Current Events Week 2 Sports

Read this Political Cartoon about Brett Favre What are you feelings towards this cartoon, and why? Are you a Favre supporter? Do you think it is right how he changed his mind so many times? Would you consider him a traitor for going to the arch rival team? Or just dedicated to playing football?

Current Events Week 1 Local

http://www.altoonamirror.com/page/content.detail/id/523900.html?nav=742




How does this make you feel about the community? Do you feel safe? Do you think that you will get looked at differently now in the community because the two suspects are your age?

Current Events Week 1 Goverment/Politics

http://video.on.nytimes.com/

Go to this website and click on Campaign Styles, and watch the video about the NYC mayoral race. What are the differences in campaign styles? Who do you think will win the election? What are the better of the two styles, which one would you choose and why?

Current Events Week 1 American News

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/28/health/28flu.html?_r=1&ref=us






This article is about the swine flu, and the large amounts of people that are lining up for the swine flu vaccine. People are being turned because they are trying to save the vaccine for children, but now people are lying in order to get vaccinated. Is there a right or wrong way to distribute the vaccine? What would you do if you were faced with the decision of choosing who gets the flu vaccination.

Current Events Week 1 World News

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/29/world/asia/29pstan.html?_r=1&hp







What bombing took place? Is this a random event or has there been an increase in these terrorist attacks in the past weeks? What do you think the correct response should be? Should American government step in and help or should we let their government take care of the terrorist problems themselves

Current Events Week 1 Hot Topics

http://z.about.com/d/politicalhumor/1/0/Y/z/2/cable-news-carried-away.jpg





Go to this website, and look at the political cartoon. What is the catroon about? Is there a certain event the cartoonist is reffering to? What is he implying about the cable news media? Do you agree or disagree

Current Events Week 1 Technology

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/01/books/01book.html?scp=1&sq=october%201,%202009&st=cse






This article is about new technology that mixes videos and books, called vooks. What exactly are vooks? Do a lot of authors like the new format? Do you think these new vooks will eventually take the place of real books? Why or why not?

Current Events Week 1 Movies

Go to http://movies.nytimes.com/pages/movies/index.html  and pick one movie review written on this site. Summarize the review and then briefly give your opinion on the review. Would you go see this movie? Why or why not?

Current Events Week 1 Sports

The first game of the World Series will be played Wednesday, between the Yankees and the Phillies. Who d o you think the winner will be? Back up your opinion with statistical data from these three sites.




http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/notebook?page=bbtn




http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/preview?gameId=291028110






http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/playoffs/2009/columns/story?columnist=bryant_howard&id=4595580

Looking Back: Your Personal 9/11 Experience

What do you remember about the events of 9/11/01?

Write your personal first hand story of how you remember that day.

If you can't recall much, ask your parents or other people you were with that day to help you to remember how you and the people around you reacted to the news.

Post your personal story in the comments section.

Discussion Question Thread

Here's your chance to write a blog post for others to comment on and discuss...
Each of you must submit one discussion question on any topic or subject relevant to the book. Your post can be a question about the events of 9/11, the background on Osama bin Laden and Al Qaeda, the recommendations of the report, the book itself (such as the artwork, layout or dialog). It can ask the students to share their opinion or identify their favorite or most interesting parts of the book.

The questions should all be "open-ended" in the sense that they should not require specific or one word answers. Make it the kind of question that might spark a discussion.

I will choose a couple of the questions from the comment thread and make them into blog posts for others to respond.

Mistakes, Oversights, Problems

One of the main purposes of the 9/11 Commission was to identify and correct mistakes that were occuring at all levels of the United States government and in private companies such as the airlines that allowed the hijackers to carry out thier attacks.

Think about what you have read and come up with a "Top 3 List" of the worst mistakes, oversights, and/or problems that made you think "that should have been fixed," or ""that should have never happened," or even "WHAT WERE WE THINKING?!?!?".

Post a single comment with your "Top 3" list in order from least important (3) to most important (1).

When you comment, you must choose the Name/URL option and type your FULL NAME into the prompt. Posts without full names and any anonymous posts will not be accepted. You do not need to enter anything into the URL line.