What do you think about the car industry these days? Gas mileage? How involved is the government in the decision about cars and gas? Standard mpg? Oil companies? Etc?
MYA
GAS MILEAGE!!!!
The words that have been haunting Americans for quite some time now. The government is gradually handling this along with tackling gas prices. When will gas get to where middle class citizens don't have to stress about when it's going to get better? Sure, there are ways to conserve gas, and there are cars to do it, but it's ridiculous how the prices of these "money savers" cost! According to fuel economy(www.fuelecomnomy.gov), the most fuel efficient car is the Toyota Prius, which gets 48mpg city and 45mpg highway. We're talking about a car that only seats at least four people with comfort.
When it comes to a full size family vehicle the most fuel efficient would be the Mazda 5 according to autobytel.com:
http://www.autobytel.com/content/research/top10/index.cfm/action/Mileage/vehicleclass/vans/listtype/3
...with 28mpg highway. What it all boils down to is that the government has a lot of work ahead of themselves.
RYAN
The oil companies sell gas to a corporation called OPEC, which, in turn, sells it to gas companies such as Sunoco, Shell and many others for very large profits. This means that in order for the gas stations to make any money they have to sell it for a higher price than what they pay for. Therefore, we Americans end paying more than three times what it is worth. OPEC is making at least a 125% profit off oil, and we end up paying the price. So my question is should we force OPEC to a ceiling of a certain percentage so we can afford gas?
Here are three hyperlinks that you may watch that will explain the process much better than I can: the first one is the one actually explains what I'm trying to get at; however, the other two there just for fun.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DtiP5TW9YVI
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UOpcPfAarjY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7NYdBGdQJrI
JASON
What is the deal with the new mpg? The new standards are going to 35 from 27 mpg, and the automotive industry is freaking. This makes no sense to me when most new cars are around 30 mpg.
I drive a 1986 four cylinder and get 30 mpg already. So what actually do they need to change that makes the automobile approximately $10,000 more?
Here are a couple of sites to look at: Energy Plan Pushes Automakers on MPG --
GOPUSA
http://www.gopusa.com/news/2007/december/1203_energy_plan1.shtml
Fuel Economy Standards Op-Ed - 35 MPG CAFE Law Is a Bad Idea - Popular ...
http://rds.yahoo.com/_ylt=A0geu4uw8LZIXvAAlDdXNyoA;_ylu=X3oDMTEyNXVvZDBvBHNlYwNzcgRwb3MDNQRjb2xvA2FjMgR2dGlkA00wMDJfODY-/SIG=12kdos4f6/EXP=1220035120/**http%3a//www.popularmechanics.com/automotive/new_cars/4235773.html
New CAFE Standards Imminent, Insiders Say
http://rds.yahoo.com/_ylt=A0geu4uw8LZIXvAAnjdXNyoA;_ylu=X3oDMTEzMm1uYmZ2BHNlYwNzcgRwb3MDMTAEY29sbwNhYzIEdnRpZANNMDAyXzg2/SIG=124qsvt2s/EXP=1220035120/**http%3a//wardsauto.com/ar/cafe_standards_imminent/
MEGAN
Over the past few years, the hybrid has gotten a lot of attention. Hybrids get better gas mileage; they reduce America's dependence on foreign oil, and they reduce global warming pollution. However, I don't think hybrids have gotten as much hype as they should have, and I believe the government's involvement with the distribution of hybrids has a lot to do with it. Compared to other countries, we are behind the power curb with the energy crisis.
I cannot prove that the government controls every aspect of the car industry, but think about it -- Who decides how many hybrids are distributed? Why are they sometimes hard to find? Why haven't they gotten as much "hype" as they should? I do believe the government has had a lot of influence on the hybrid.
http://www.hybridcars.com/
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Please return to the Controversy of Armed Teachers Blog.
After Monday's incident, I thought it fitting to resume our discussion there.
Friday, September 19, 2008
Faculty-student romance...?
Paul R. Abramson, a professor at UCLA, recently wrote a book called Romance in the Ivory Tower: The Rights and Liberty of Conscience. This book is about whether the choice to engage in a faculty-student romance be protected or precluded. He argues that the right to choose a romantic partner is a fundamental right of conscience, protected by the U.S. Constitution.
There have also been many sex scandals among high school and middle schools. High school teachers have CONSENSUAL sex with students many times and have gone to jail for it. Do we feel this is right? Mary Kay Letourneau was a teacher who was sent to jail for “raping” her 13 year old student. She gave birth to his child twice.
Articles: http://articles.latimes.com/2007/oct/22/local/me-romance22
http://www.trutv.com/library/crime/criminal_mind/psychology/marykay_letourneau/1.html
http://abcnews.go.com/US/story?id=4453608&page=1
Question: If a student is in college and above age, should professor-student dating, relationships and/or even sex be allowed? What about teacher-student relationships and sex within grade school?
Sam:
I believe that teacher student relationships are definitely not respected. Going to school should be just going there to learn, not seeing your teacher (the sweetheart). However, who is to say that being a student or teacher and dating the other student or teacher is wrong if it is true love? It is, in my eyes, immoral and wrong, and I think that my family will, for sure, degrade me for dating a teacher. I will also lose much respect for myself.
Andrea:
Students and teachers have relationships, this is a fact. We have relationships together at school, a professional relationship that exists only for an educational purpose, and nothing more. Then there will always be those relationships that take it too far. Much like the 'creepy treehouse' effect, where a teacher would utilize a communications website such as MySpace in order to use it in the classroom; only this is what should be called the "Creepy Classroom".
In elementary, secondary, and high school, it is not uncommon for students to have 'puppy love' crushes on their teacher. We see it all the time, especially if the student is a young girl, and the teacher happens to be that new, young, and attractive substitute, or if the student is a boy and his teacher is the 'smoking hot' librarian, just to name a couple of stereotypical examples. This crush could become the Creepy Classroom if the student or teacher took the initiative to "deepen" their relationship and take it outside of the classroom.
Take for example the recent strings of teacher-student sexual relationships, such as with Pamela Diehl-Moore, who engaged in several repeat offenses of sex with a student, aged thirteen, to her own age of forty-three. When the case was taken to court, the judge ruled lightly for Miss Moore, ultimately saying that it was no big deal because they "clicked" outside of a classroom relationship.
This article by David Kupelian goes into this particular case:
http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=49389.
However, had Miss Moore been in fact a forty-three year old man having sex with a thirteen year old girl, the court and most of the country would have been rallying outside his door, demanding justice. This particular case is an example of how one's gender sorely affects how the world will treat you: if you are a woman, you can flirt your way out of a speeding ticket, but if you are a man, you may get a second ticket. If you are a woman who has sex with an underaged minor, you are not a sexual predator but an "outlet" for his budding sexual feelings. However, if you are a man having sex with an underaged minor, you are the scum of the earth.
On the same note, what about those relationships between students and their college professors in a university or community college environment? The vast majority of attending students are over the age of consent and could, legally, begin a sexual relationship with their professor if they so chose. It's not about whether or not they CAN engage in a sexual relationship as professor and student; it's a matter of that professor's ethics. Is it in fact ethical for a professor in a position of power to engage in a relationship with their student? One can argue that maybe they actually fell in love and are soul-mates. Another can argue that maybe the student REALLY WANTS that A on his or her next term paper. At the end of the day, is it morally acceptable for a teacher to have sex with their student? No. By definition, a teacher is 'one who teaches, especially one who is hired to teach'. Nowhere in that definition does it mention having inappropriate feelings or relations with their students. When I read that definition, I think of how I am trusting this person, my teacher, to give me the necessary knowledge for me to better myself, and educate myself further, so that I might make something better of the world around me.
Alexandria:
There has been this epidemic of teacher-student relationships lately, and it just sad. There is actually a site dedicated to posting information and pictures of teachers convicted of the crime. The question that puzzles me is, when a teacher comes to the conclusion that it's okay, even though it's for both men and women, why is it that men usually receive a harsher punishment? Either way, it is still unethical for grade school level through college level.
Alyssa:
I feel that if a student is in grade school, there should not be a relationship or sex or anything. The student is underage, and even though it may be consensual, it’s not right. If the student is in college and is above age, I think it’s not much of a problem. If this student has this teacher for class, then I feel it’s wrong. That professor may begin to play favorites and that’s very wrong. If a student and professor want to take this chance, then it should be allowed. I personally wouldn’t advise it though.
There have also been many sex scandals among high school and middle schools. High school teachers have CONSENSUAL sex with students many times and have gone to jail for it. Do we feel this is right? Mary Kay Letourneau was a teacher who was sent to jail for “raping” her 13 year old student. She gave birth to his child twice.
Articles: http://articles.latimes.com/2007/oct/22/local/me-romance22
http://www.trutv.com/library/crime/criminal_mind/psychology/marykay_letourneau/1.html
http://abcnews.go.com/US/story?id=4453608&page=1
Question: If a student is in college and above age, should professor-student dating, relationships and/or even sex be allowed? What about teacher-student relationships and sex within grade school?
Sam:
I believe that teacher student relationships are definitely not respected. Going to school should be just going there to learn, not seeing your teacher (the sweetheart). However, who is to say that being a student or teacher and dating the other student or teacher is wrong if it is true love? It is, in my eyes, immoral and wrong, and I think that my family will, for sure, degrade me for dating a teacher. I will also lose much respect for myself.
Andrea:
Students and teachers have relationships, this is a fact. We have relationships together at school, a professional relationship that exists only for an educational purpose, and nothing more. Then there will always be those relationships that take it too far. Much like the 'creepy treehouse' effect, where a teacher would utilize a communications website such as MySpace in order to use it in the classroom; only this is what should be called the "Creepy Classroom".
In elementary, secondary, and high school, it is not uncommon for students to have 'puppy love' crushes on their teacher. We see it all the time, especially if the student is a young girl, and the teacher happens to be that new, young, and attractive substitute, or if the student is a boy and his teacher is the 'smoking hot' librarian, just to name a couple of stereotypical examples. This crush could become the Creepy Classroom if the student or teacher took the initiative to "deepen" their relationship and take it outside of the classroom.
Take for example the recent strings of teacher-student sexual relationships, such as with Pamela Diehl-Moore, who engaged in several repeat offenses of sex with a student, aged thirteen, to her own age of forty-three. When the case was taken to court, the judge ruled lightly for Miss Moore, ultimately saying that it was no big deal because they "clicked" outside of a classroom relationship.
This article by David Kupelian goes into this particular case:
http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=49389.
However, had Miss Moore been in fact a forty-three year old man having sex with a thirteen year old girl, the court and most of the country would have been rallying outside his door, demanding justice. This particular case is an example of how one's gender sorely affects how the world will treat you: if you are a woman, you can flirt your way out of a speeding ticket, but if you are a man, you may get a second ticket. If you are a woman who has sex with an underaged minor, you are not a sexual predator but an "outlet" for his budding sexual feelings. However, if you are a man having sex with an underaged minor, you are the scum of the earth.
On the same note, what about those relationships between students and their college professors in a university or community college environment? The vast majority of attending students are over the age of consent and could, legally, begin a sexual relationship with their professor if they so chose. It's not about whether or not they CAN engage in a sexual relationship as professor and student; it's a matter of that professor's ethics. Is it in fact ethical for a professor in a position of power to engage in a relationship with their student? One can argue that maybe they actually fell in love and are soul-mates. Another can argue that maybe the student REALLY WANTS that A on his or her next term paper. At the end of the day, is it morally acceptable for a teacher to have sex with their student? No. By definition, a teacher is 'one who teaches, especially one who is hired to teach'. Nowhere in that definition does it mention having inappropriate feelings or relations with their students. When I read that definition, I think of how I am trusting this person, my teacher, to give me the necessary knowledge for me to better myself, and educate myself further, so that I might make something better of the world around me.
Alexandria:
There has been this epidemic of teacher-student relationships lately, and it just sad. There is actually a site dedicated to posting information and pictures of teachers convicted of the crime. The question that puzzles me is, when a teacher comes to the conclusion that it's okay, even though it's for both men and women, why is it that men usually receive a harsher punishment? Either way, it is still unethical for grade school level through college level.
Alyssa:
I feel that if a student is in grade school, there should not be a relationship or sex or anything. The student is underage, and even though it may be consensual, it’s not right. If the student is in college and is above age, I think it’s not much of a problem. If this student has this teacher for class, then I feel it’s wrong. That professor may begin to play favorites and that’s very wrong. If a student and professor want to take this chance, then it should be allowed. I personally wouldn’t advise it though.
Friday, September 12, 2008
The controversy of armed teachers
Over the summer, a rural Texas school district unanimously agreed to allow teachers to carry a gun at school. The policy aims to protect against school shootings, as long as the gun-toting teachers follow certain requirements. These requirements include bearing a Texas license to carry a concealed handgun; they must be authorized to carry the gun by the district; they must receive training in crisis management and hostile situations, and they must use ammunition that is designed to minimize the risk of ricochet in schools.
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,404721,00.html
The question is: Even with all these requirements is our country ready to allow teachers to carry guns in our schools with our children?
Jenn:
By Texas allowing teachers to carry guns (with proper permits) opens a whole world of problems and controversy. Parents already worry about their children going to school and the dealing with the temptation of drugs, being picked on by a bully, etc, and now this school district is allowing teachers to carry weapons inside their schools. I mean come on. What in the h*** were these people thinking? From recent scandals in the news, we already see that some teachers are not the most emotionally stable people teaching our children (ex: Debra Lafave), and now these people want to allow teachers to carry a loaded weapon. Not to mention what if a student manages to get a hold of a teacher’s gun. We as a society should feel safe when our children go to school.
Michael:
I think that schools should not allow any individual, besides police, to carry guns in a school. The entire act of taking guns out of schools is for students to feel safe and not worry about being shot as they exit class. One might add that the guns are for a teacher’s possession only, but who says a student cannot just take the gun without the teacher's knowledge? To bring guns into school, to fight guns, is not a valid argument or act.
Jake:
I think that the teachers should be allowed to carry firearms to school since the teachers would be crisis-trained and have to be certified to carry a concealed handgun in Texas. I think that it could control student shooting and lessen the chance of it happening. Do you think that this could have a chain reaction and lead to other states and school allowing teachers to carry firearms? Do you think you would feel safer or worry more if you knew your child’s teacher was armed?
Tessa:
In these days and times, I think teachers should be able to carry guns. Although I am not sure of all the details of all the previous school shootings, but it seems like there was no plan in place for either of the schools in case of tragic events like school shootings. Where was the protection for the staff and students? Most inner city schools are loaded with police officers, metal detectors, security guards and so forth, but the inner city schools aren’t where you hear of mass shootings (if there is, it’s not reported). So until these schools that offer absolutely no protection wake up and realize that this is a dangerous world no matter where you’re from, all teachers should be allowed to bring guns.
Now, there are some teachers who are not mentally fit to carry guns and that is why I feel that before we give any teacher the right to carry a gun into a school there should be some sorts of psychological evaluations done. Who’s to say that a teacher whose class has completely frustrated them to a point where they say, hey I have a gun, let’s show these kids whose boss and won’t go on a rampage themselves? So I guess the point I’m trying to make is, if schools are not going to protect their staff or students, then why not let teachers protect themselves and their classes but only after they've undergone the proper psychological evaluations?
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,404721,00.html
The question is: Even with all these requirements is our country ready to allow teachers to carry guns in our schools with our children?
Jenn:
By Texas allowing teachers to carry guns (with proper permits) opens a whole world of problems and controversy. Parents already worry about their children going to school and the dealing with the temptation of drugs, being picked on by a bully, etc, and now this school district is allowing teachers to carry weapons inside their schools. I mean come on. What in the h*** were these people thinking? From recent scandals in the news, we already see that some teachers are not the most emotionally stable people teaching our children (ex: Debra Lafave), and now these people want to allow teachers to carry a loaded weapon. Not to mention what if a student manages to get a hold of a teacher’s gun. We as a society should feel safe when our children go to school.
Michael:
I think that schools should not allow any individual, besides police, to carry guns in a school. The entire act of taking guns out of schools is for students to feel safe and not worry about being shot as they exit class. One might add that the guns are for a teacher’s possession only, but who says a student cannot just take the gun without the teacher's knowledge? To bring guns into school, to fight guns, is not a valid argument or act.
Jake:
I think that the teachers should be allowed to carry firearms to school since the teachers would be crisis-trained and have to be certified to carry a concealed handgun in Texas. I think that it could control student shooting and lessen the chance of it happening. Do you think that this could have a chain reaction and lead to other states and school allowing teachers to carry firearms? Do you think you would feel safer or worry more if you knew your child’s teacher was armed?
Tessa:
In these days and times, I think teachers should be able to carry guns. Although I am not sure of all the details of all the previous school shootings, but it seems like there was no plan in place for either of the schools in case of tragic events like school shootings. Where was the protection for the staff and students? Most inner city schools are loaded with police officers, metal detectors, security guards and so forth, but the inner city schools aren’t where you hear of mass shootings (if there is, it’s not reported). So until these schools that offer absolutely no protection wake up and realize that this is a dangerous world no matter where you’re from, all teachers should be allowed to bring guns.
Now, there are some teachers who are not mentally fit to carry guns and that is why I feel that before we give any teacher the right to carry a gun into a school there should be some sorts of psychological evaluations done. Who’s to say that a teacher whose class has completely frustrated them to a point where they say, hey I have a gun, let’s show these kids whose boss and won’t go on a rampage themselves? So I guess the point I’m trying to make is, if schools are not going to protect their staff or students, then why not let teachers protect themselves and their classes but only after they've undergone the proper psychological evaluations?
Friday, September 5, 2008
The cusp of something monumental
Note: this will segway into our next 2 series of reading selections involving themes of gender and race
We are on the verge of a very historical moment -- one that has been (in your teacher's eyes) long overdue.
No matter who wins the 2008 election, we will finally have a minority within the Presidential arena:
Barack Obama (D) as our President or Sarah Palin (R) as our Vice President.
The question is -- are we actually ready for this?
Oh, and here's a June 2008 poll I've dredged up for you that indicates some interesting percentiles:
http://www.pollingreport.com/politics.htm
Views? Thoughts?
We are on the verge of a very historical moment -- one that has been (in your teacher's eyes) long overdue.
No matter who wins the 2008 election, we will finally have a minority within the Presidential arena:
Barack Obama (D) as our President or Sarah Palin (R) as our Vice President.
The question is -- are we actually ready for this?
Oh, and here's a June 2008 poll I've dredged up for you that indicates some interesting percentiles:
http://www.pollingreport.com/politics.htm
Views? Thoughts?
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